Why is it we say ...

GT_TDI_150

Why do we say "Husband and Wife" or "Boys and Girls" or "boyfriend and girlfriend" or "Brothers and Sisters" but "Mam(my) and Dad(dy)" or "Aunts and uncles" or "Granny and Grandad" or "Nieces and Nephews"?

Why do we order them the way we do? Why arent all male followed by female or all Female followed by male?

frag420

Dems the rules!!

LadyAthame

I say ya'll.

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

Cos it's easier off the tongue?

LadyAthame

The Cunning Linguist wrote: »

Cos it's easier off the tongue?

ya'll is easier!

PandaPoo

I would say girls.and boys too, and uncles and aunts, and sisters and brothers.

The husband and wife one is true though, you never hear anyone say wife and husband

seamus

Welcome to the theory of memetics!

Since there are only two ways to say each of these phrases, you would expect that the about half the population would say it one way, and half would say it the other. But it doesn't work like that. Because we are all influenced by those around us, ultimately the balance swings towards one way or the other, and one phrase becomes the dominant one, for no particular reason at all.

It's actually a pretty fascinating topic.

thunderdog

Order of importance of course

Wacker The Attacker

who gives a rats gash?

kneemos

Because males are the dominant species.


Look at me.

Aren't I great?

thunderdog

Another one. Knife and Fork. If you say Fork and Knife quickly enough it sounds like Fu$%in Knife

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Dunno. Couldn't give a kn***ing fork to be honest.

kneemos

Holland and Barrett.
Egg and spoon.
Butch and Sundance.
Cock and balls.
Birds and Bees.

LadyAthame

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

Dunno. Couldn't give a kn***ing fork to be honest.

four candles!

harry Bailey esq

The Cunning Linguist wrote: »

Cos it's easier off the tongue?

says the cunning linguist...

Salt and pepper

Mind you, some people says eggs and bacon but I'm right and say bacon and eggs.

TommyKnocker

You forgot "Ladies & Gentlemen"

dodderangler

LadyAthame wrote: »

I say ya'll.

And what colour is the pick up truck you drive

Sheep Lover

*feminist barrage incoming*

GT_TDI_150

Also forgot "Bride and Groom"

valoren

First Word Problems.

Egginacup

It's the way it is.

Ask for "chips and fish" and you could get battered :P

GT_TDI_150

valoren wrote: »

First Word Problems.

when did I say it was a problem? I'm just wondering why this happens.

A problem would be going to make lunch and realising there's no cheese for my toasted special. Or finding out Sky + attempted to record but decided to FAIL 1/2 ways through

kneemos

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

Also forgot "Bride and Groom"

Tom and Jerry.
Man and Beast.
Male and Female.
Adam and Eve.
Plug and socket.

LadyAthame

valoren wrote: »

First Word Problems.

LOVE this.:)

GT_TDI_150

LadyAthame wrote: »

LOVE this.:)

To be fair ..... missed it ...:o

Shoes and socks.

Why are shoes first when they are put on last?

Triceratops Ballet

Strawberry Milkshake wrote: »

Shoes and socks.

Why are shoes first when they are put on last?

But they come off first....ahhhhhh!

Magico Gonzalez

Something to do with the "hard" sounds going in softer sounds to aid alliteration or pronunciation?

I'm guessing.

Snakes and Ladders?

Magico Gonzalez

Strawberry Milkshake wrote: »

Shoes and socks.

Why are shoes first when they are put on last?

I'd always socks n shoes?

nathang20

Tis all part of life! making choices...left or right, black or white. Open the door to that stranger, or stand there, bewildered! tis all a system, nice is to be good, but bad is to considered. at the end of the day, we all have a choice....