• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

TIL the plural of beef is...

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Now that we're adding plurals to mass nouns... What is the plural form of water?

/grammar nerd off
 
Beef, as related to cows has two definitions:
1. The meat of a cow
2. A cow raised specifically for the purpose of being consumed as food.

The first is very common usage, the latter is very rare. The first is also uncountable and therefore has no plural. The second is countable and has the plural 'beeves.' The place where I've seen the word 'beeves' used most frequently is in reference to armies on the move before the invention of non-perishable goods such as canned food. Often the armies would have in tow a large number of beeves that would be slaughtered for food as the army moved around. They were referred to as 'beeves on the hoof.'
 
Daverino said:
Beef, as related to cows has two definitions:
1. The meat of a cow
2. A cow raised specifically for the purpose of being consumed as food.
Click to expand...
2 could also be for differentiation of type.
i.e.: "our butcher sent us a variety of beeves. 1 pound of angus, 2 pounds of kobe, 4 pounds of holstein, etc"
 
Daverino said:
Beef, as related to cows has two definitions:
1. The meat of a cow
2. A cow raised specifically for the purpose of being consumed as food.

The first is very common usage, the latter is very rare. The first is also uncountable and therefore has no plural. The second is countable and has the plural 'beeves.' The place where I've seen the word 'beeves' used most frequently is in reference to armies on the move before the invention of non-perishable goods such as canned food. Often the armies would have in tow a large number of beeves that would be slaughtered for food as the army moved around. They were referred to as 'beeves on the hoof.'
Click to expand...

Interesting, thanks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top