2007-12-23 03:39:10 · 10 answers · asked by Onarga Roberts 2 in Sports ➔ Hockey
I think because technically it's a maple-leaf (one full noun not a description of a type of leaf), it does not follow the same rules of plurality (if that is even a word).
EDIT:
DJ Maxx, thanks for the grammar lesson, but leaves is only plural for a leaf, a maple-leaf is a noun, not an adjective (maple) then a noun (leaf). Since maple-leaf is the noun it self then there is no -ves rule. The same reason the gretzkys does not become the gretzkies. Maybe you should stick to DJing
2007-12-23 03:43:14 · answer #1 · answered by J R 4 · 4⤊ 3⤋
I believe it's because owner Conn Smythe changed the name after taking over in 1927 from St. Pats to Maple Leafs, in order to honor a Canadian military regiment called the "Maple Leaf Regiment."
Since it's a proper noun in this case, it wouldn't have the same pluralization as other words. For example, if the Leaf family lived next door to you, you'd calle them the Leafs, not the Leaves. This is the same thing.
2007-12-23 04:13:09 · answer #2 · answered by Craig S 7 · 10⤊ 1⤋
Whatever Craig S. said. My guess is, mispelling on the plural was popular and was the "it" thing back in the '30s, or Smythe just wanted something original.
2007-12-23 05:38:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
'Leafs' is correct. J R is correct. Craig S is correct. Enough said.
2007-12-23 04:27:58 · answer #4 · answered by megalomaniac 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
And in your estimation what is the correct spelling of the NAME of the Toronto team.
2007-12-23 03:43:26 · answer #5 · answered by Jay Argentina 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Leaves is plural........Leafs is one type of leaf... One Team
Edit:
J.R. , I'm sure your a swell , stand up guy. That's exactly what I said before you said it. Sorry, but Leaves IS plural for Leaf. And that's all that I said. Why the insult ?
The rule is different for some words ending in F
Get a life, or at least get an education before you start slamming people when you are wrong.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.
leaves
PRONUNCIATION: lvz
NOUN: Plural of leaf.
2007-12-23 03:50:29 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 8⤋
Its a name they can spell it however they want and it would be spelled correctly.
2007-12-23 06:25:25 · answer #7 · answered by RZ (LPPBS) 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Yeah, it should be Maple's Leaves!!
2007-12-23 03:46:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 6⤋
'cause they dont feel like it
2007-12-23 06:08:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
They do.
2007-12-23 04:56:42 · answer #10 · answered by cme 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋