Big & Small vs. Large & Little

[Ducklet Cat]

I know this might be a silly question, but cats are know to ask silly questions out of curiosity

Why do we say the little finger not the small finger?
Why do we say large fries not big fries?
Why do we say his size is x-large and not x-big?

What is the difference - if any-?

Thanks :)

[PappaMouse]

Originally Posted by Ducklet Cat

I know this might be a silly question, but cats are know to ask silly questions out of curiosity

Why do we say the little finger not the small finger?
Why do we say large fries not big fries?
Why do we say his size is x-large and not x-big?

What is the difference - if any-?

Thanks :)

A good rule of thumb to follow is that BIG & SMALL is used when you know the exact size of the object under discussion.

LARGE & LITTLE is a relative definition. Use them when you don't know the measurements. A barn is large, and an elephant is little when you compare the two.

Too, LARGE & LITTLE is often used where there is no need because people love to use larger words -- and BIG sounds preschool anyway.

[Ouisch]

Finger-wise, several are smaller than the longest finger. So to indicate the "little" finger is more specific, meaning the pinkie (as we call the smallest finger in the US).

"Big" fries would indicate that each individual French fry was larger than normal. That is, the fries would be the width of harmonicas rather than the slim potato fingers that they usually are. Of course, the Wendy's chain went against this convention when they introduced their "Biggie Size" items - even larger portions than those previously designated as "large."

To be honest, the use of adjectives to describe big and small depend upon the marketing point of view. For example, "large" can conjure up images of "living large," meaning having the funds to live life to the fullest. "Big," on the other hand, simply sounds like something that is oversized. So when clothes manufacturers indicate sizes on their tags, they hope that "large" and "extra large" have a more palatable subliminal connotation on the consumer's subconscious, rather than, "Hey, Fatso! You have to wear big clothes!"

[Ducklet Cat]

Things are clearer now.
Thanks :)

[Dr. Jamshid Ibrahim]

Originally Posted by Ducklet Cat

I know this might be a silly question, but cats are know to ask silly questions out of curiosity
Why do we say the little finger not the small finger?
Why do we say large fries not big fries?
Why do we say his size is x-large and not x-big?
What is the difference - if any-?
Thanks :)

1. Big and little are more informal and show emotions (subjective): "your little sister" whereas large and small are more formal (objective).

2. Their usage is a matter of collocations and formality.

3. Don't forget the adj great (used in more figurative sense than size) which can collocate with big: a great big spider

[amezoirou]

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