calling one person a "Bozo" or three people "Stooges

[thedaffodils]

"Frick and Frack" has become an English slang term used in two ways. One is to refer to two people so closely associated as to be indistinguishable; the other way is as a term of derision for any two people, on par with calling one person a "Bozo" or three people "Stooges

I am not sure I understand the words I highlighted in red.

"Bozo" and "stooge" both can be used in either singular or plural. Why did the writer indicate "one person", and "three people" ?

Thank you!

 

[SoothingDave]

There was a famous clown named "Bozo." Singular.

The stars of many movie shorts in the 1940s were "The Three Stooges." Three of them.

 

[thedaffodils]

The stars of many movie shorts in the 1940s were "The Three Stooges.".

Thank you for your help.

I don't understand your words I quoted. So no matter how many stars in the movies of 1940s were called " The Three Stooges" ? Even if there were 5 stars?

 

[SoothingDave]

No, there were a series of movies starring "The Three Stooges." They were featured in many movies in the 1940s. It's not a general term for a movie star.

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

 

[bhaisahab]

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