Why isn't it called teethpaste?

Answer 1

In a compound noun, the first part of the word functions to describe it. The adjective is always used in the singular.
Consider "dogfood".

Answer 2

Don't know the answer but check this out! We have came a long way, thank goodness!

The earliest known reference to a toothpaste is in a manuscript from Egypt in the 4th century A.D., which prescribes a mixture of powdered salt, pepper, mint leaves, and iris flowers. The Romans used toothpaste formulations based on human urine. [1] An 18th century American toothpaste recipe containing burnt bread has been found. Another formula around this time called for dragon's blood (a resin), cinnamon, and burnt alum. [2]

However, toothpastes or powders did not come into general use until the 19th century in Britain. In the early 1800s, the toothbrush was usually used only with water, but tooth powders soon gained popularity. Most were home made, with chalk, pulverized brick, and salt being common ingredients. An 1866 Home Encyclopedia recommended pulverized charcoal, and cautioned that many patented tooth powders then commercially marketed did more harm than good.

By 1900, a paste made of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda was recommended. Pre-mixed toothpastes were first marketed in the 19th century, but did not surpass the popularity of tooth-powder until World War I. In New York City in 1896, Colgate & Company manufactured toothpaste in the first collapsible tube, similar to that recently introduced for artists' paints.

Fluoride was first added to toothpastes in 1914, and was criticized by the American Dental Association (ADA) in 1937. Fluoride toothpastes developed in the 1950s received the ADA's approval. Countries limit and suggest different amounts acceptable for health. Much of Africa has a slightly higher percent than the U.S.[citation needed]

Before the Second World War, tooth paste was sold in lead containers. Although the insides were waxed, lead still mixed with the paste. This led to illnesses and death. Due to the above and the shortage of lead in World War II, tooth paste began being sold in plastic containers.

Toothpaste is most commonly sold in flexible tubes, though harder containers are available. The hard containers stand straight up, availing more of the toothpaste and saving shelf space.

Answer 3

Brilliant. Start a protest on that No 10 website to get it changed. I will from this day forth enforce the new law the renaming of toothpaste to teethpaste in my humble abode.

Although on occasion babies are said to be 'teething' they start with only the one tooth sprouting from the gum. Another inadequacy, it all balances out....

Coconuts for all.

Answer 4

So as not to discriminate against people who need to use toothpaste for only that one tooth. If you have no teeth, then you don't need tooth paste. If you have a mouth full of teeth, then obviously you have at least one tooth for which you would need toothpaste.
People think paste is synonymous with "glue." But in this case, tooth"paste" doesn't glue your teeth together. The paste in toothpaste describes the consistency of the product, not what it does.

Answer 5

for the same reason it isn't called feetware, or legs warmers, or hands cream,or nails varnish, or earsrings, or lipsstick and so on ad nauseam.

(for those who have taken this question really seriously and actually don't know - it is because adjectives in English are NEVER plural or genitive/possessive)

Answer 6

You should ask it to the one who invented the word "toothpaste"
But for me, it is not "teethpaste", because you cannot brush your whole teeth system at a time except when you have a toothbrush as big as a baseball bat.

Answer 7

so people would ask "why isn't it called teethpaste?" why the hell is it called paste to begin with? isn't it more like a cream? oops sorry, i guess you'll have something else keeping you awake tonight!

Answer 8

if it was called teeth paste then by law your teeth ( nice smile by the way ) would be protected and if one went bad you could sue. by using the singular (tooth ) . providing only one tooth kept healthy would suggest that there product has done what it says on the tin . but then i have been drinking

Answer 9

Any Jeff Foxworthy fan knows the answer to this one. It was invented by a redneck. Had it not, it certainly would have been teethpaste.

Answer 10

Good question. One of the many vagaries of the English language I guess.