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Old 29-May-2008, 05:46
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Default Why is " robe" in plural form?

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The former Beatle changed from his suit into the traditional black graduation robes and mortarboard hat before collecting the accolade in front of a crowd of thousands of cheering students at Yale University.
Hi! Why is " robe" in plural form? Thanks!
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Old 29-May-2008, 06:48
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Default Re: Why is " robe" in plural form?

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Originally Posted by thedaffodils View Post
Hi! Why is " robe" in plural form? Thanks!
Hi,
Because the word "robes" doesn't imply any robe (clothes) in its plural form, but means a special attire worn by the gentry or a University graduate on a graduation day or suchlike.
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Old 29-May-2008, 06:55
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Default Re: Why is " robe" in plural form?

Thank you, MashUK! I got it.
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Old 29-May-2008, 07:04
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Default Re: Why is " robe" in plural form?

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Thank you, MashUK! I got it.

Super!
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Old 29-May-2008, 07:17
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Default Re: Why is " robe" in plural form?

Don't expect the press to give accurate information.

Academic dress is of mortorboard (cap) and gown.
At Yale, it is only Ph.D. graduates who wear a robe and mortarboard - and it is singular! The Beatle received an honorary Doctorate in Music, which is not a Ph.D. He wore a cap and gown ( with trimming associated with the particular award)

Last edited by David L.; 29-May-2008 at 07:31.
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Old 29-May-2008, 07:22
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Default Re: Why is " robe" in plural form?

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Originally Posted by thedaffodils View Post
Hi! Why is " robe" in plural form? Thanks!
In my humble opinion, the newspaper report contains a typo. Lord McCartney may be great but he still wears one robe at a time!
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Old 29-May-2008, 07:26
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Default Re: Why is " robe" in plural form?

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Originally Posted by David L. View Post
Don't expect the press to give accurate information.

Academic dress is of mortorboard (cap) and gown.
At Yale, it is only Ph.D. graduates who wear a robe and motarboard - and it is singular! The Beatle received an honorary Doctorate in Music, which is not a Ph.D. He wore a cap and gown ( with trimming associated with the particular award)
Thank you for the explanation, David! My post was slowly typed while your nimble fingers were working diligently on your keyboard!! I really must sign-up for speed typing classes!
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Old 29-May-2008, 11:23
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Default Re: Why is " robe" in plural form?

Quote:
Originally Posted by David L. View Post
Don't expect the press to give accurate information.

Academic dress is of mortorboard (cap) and gown.
At Yale, it is only Ph.D. graduates who wear a robe and mortarboard - and it is singular! The Beatle received an honorary Doctorate in Music, which is not a Ph.D. He wore a cap and gown ( with trimming associated with the particular award)
Hold on. Another source writes:
Paul donned traditional black academic robes and carried his mortarboard hat as he received a Doctor of Music Award at the Ivy League school.

And the photo supports that:
Click Educating Macca... Sir Paul awarded honorary music degree by Yale University | Mail Online
Thedaffodils, I agree with MashUK's post.
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Old 29-May-2008, 18:44
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Default Re: Why is " robe" in plural form?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Soup View Post
Hold on. Another source writes:
Paul donned traditional black academic robes and carried his mortarboard hat as he received a Doctor of Music Award at the Ivy League school.

And the photo supports that:
Click Educating Macca... Sir Paul awarded honorary music degree by Yale University | Mail Online
Thedaffodils, I agree with MashUK's post.
Soup,

In my opinion, the London papers got it wrong. If you look at the photo, McCartney is wearing a single 'robe'...he is not wearing 'robes'.

Can you find another instance in print where the plural (robes) is used for a commencement recipient? I'd like to see it.

Cheers,
Amigo
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Old 30-May-2008, 02:57
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Default Re: Why is " robe" in plural form?

Hi All,

Thank you very much for your answers.

By the way, Soup, the sentence I quoted in Post 1 was from Daily Mail too. I can't find it any more.
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