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Thread: nail clipper/clippers

  1. 05-Aug-2011, 09:20 #1
    Tan Elaine
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    Default nail clipper/clippers

    Should it be 'nail clipper' or 'nail clippers'?

    Thanks.
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  2. 05-Aug-2011, 09:25 #2
    Rover_KE
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    Default Re: nail clipper/clippers

    Both are correct.
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  3. 05-Aug-2011, 12:26 #3
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    BobK
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    Default Re: nail clipper/clippers

    I've never met the singular. I thought they were like scissors or shears (or any tool with paired blades, I guess).

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  4. 05-Aug-2011, 15:06 #4
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    Default Re: nail clipper/clippers

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nail_clipper
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  5. 06-Aug-2011, 11:35 #5
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    BobK
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    Default Re: nail clipper/clippers

    Quote Originally Posted by Raymott View Post
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nail_clipper
    COCA has 'nai clippers' outnumbering 'nail clipper' to 44 to 19, But BNC has a unanimous plural. I guess Rover's time in America exposed him to the singular.

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  6. 06-Aug-2011, 14:29 #6
    Tdol
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    Default Re: nail clipper/clippers

    I have only heard the plural in BrE too.
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