Sexist and childish posts!!!
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There's far more tortuous, childish debate to be wrung out of this one. 
Fobotcso, how's your head, matey? Are you sitting comfortably?
As a term meaning "a body of persons sharing a culture", "people" is a singular noun, as in "As a people, the English are known for their patience, humility, tolerance and grace". Its plural is "peoples": "the many and varied peoples of West Africa". But when used to mean "human", "people" is plural and has no corresponding singular form. Therefore, "other people's messages", as used in the context in question, is correct.
[This message has been edited by Scud-U-Like (edited 26 June 2001).]
Fobotcso, how's your head, matey? Are you sitting comfortably?
As a term meaning "a body of persons sharing a culture", "people" is a singular noun, as in "As a people, the English are known for their patience, humility, tolerance and grace". Its plural is "peoples": "the many and varied peoples of West Africa". But when used to mean "human", "people" is plural and has no corresponding singular form. Therefore, "other people's messages", as used in the context in question, is correct.
[This message has been edited by Scud-U-Like (edited 26 June 2001).]
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I notice that Scud had to edit his post, thereby indicating a less than perfect initial post. I don't suppose it was edited [I] after [I] you re-read your 11 Plus English texbook and realised you had, in fact, made a mistake? Neener, Neener, Neener [I] par chance [I]?
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The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic HERD!
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The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic HERD!
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kbf1,
I think you'll find the UBB codes work better if you remember the forward slash in the second set of square brackets to cancel the italics
..and should it not read "perchance" instead of "par chance"?
Oh, and if racial sterotypes are getting promoted then how do I become one? Haven't had a promotion in my current org since March 1981... Should've done those exams - NOT!
Cheers
I think you'll find the UBB codes work better if you remember the forward slash in the second set of square brackets to cancel the italics
..and should it not read "perchance" instead of "par chance"?
Oh, and if racial sterotypes are getting promoted then how do I become one? Haven't had a promotion in my current org since March 1981... Should've done those exams - NOT!
Cheers
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T & B,.and should it not read "perchance" instead of "par chance"?
Should be "rather than" rather than "instead of." The latter would work with tangible objects, for example:
"Oh, Daphne! I should much prefer to have a cheeseburger shot instead of a hambuger shot this time. Then perhaps we could organise a spit roast with Charles."
"Oh, yes, my darling! I could dress up as an proctologist this time, rather than your mother as before."
"As opposed to" follows the same rules.
CC.
Should be "rather than" rather than "instead of." The latter would work with tangible objects, for example:
"Oh, Daphne! I should much prefer to have a cheeseburger shot instead of a hambuger shot this time. Then perhaps we could organise a spit roast with Charles."
"Oh, yes, my darling! I could dress up as an proctologist this time, rather than your mother as before."
"As opposed to" follows the same rules.
CC.
Guest
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I know I meant to say what I think and I think I said what I meant. But what I said and what I meant have not been perceived to be the same.
Sc-U-L, I never meant to take issue with your (quite correct) "people's"; but I referred it to build up to the Officers' vs Officer's point. I'm sorry that you got that impression. Both our points are correct when they are not confused with each other. "Peoples'" is commonplace and people's even moreso.
Now, carry on talking amongst yourselves; it's too hot to get excited about such matters.
Sc-U-L, I never meant to take issue with your (quite correct) "people's"; but I referred it to build up to the Officers' vs Officer's point. I'm sorry that you got that impression. Both our points are correct when they are not confused with each other. "Peoples'" is commonplace and people's even moreso.
Now, carry on talking amongst yourselves; it's too hot to get excited about such matters.
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Ok I see SWB's Mate has posted a reply and also Whipping Boy's SATCO, so it is now my turn.
CaptainCrunch: Surely you meant to say 'dress up as a proctologist' instead of 'dress up as an proctologist'. Unless of course you were refering to Anne with the very unfortunate surname. In which case you should have said............Oh bolloxxxx
:-) ps SWB's Mate ain't me mate and WB's SATCO ain't me SATCO ( just trying to remain anonymous OK)
CaptainCrunch: Surely you meant to say 'dress up as a proctologist' instead of 'dress up as an proctologist'. Unless of course you were refering to Anne with the very unfortunate surname. In which case you should have said............Oh bolloxxxx
:-) ps SWB's Mate ain't me mate and WB's SATCO ain't me SATCO ( just trying to remain anonymous OK)
