nail clipper/clippers

[Tan Elaine]

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

Thanks.

 

[Rover_KE]

Both are correct.

 

[BobK]

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

b

 

[Raymott]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nail_clipper

 

[BobK]

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.

b

 

[Tdol]

I have only heard the plural in BrE too.