Pedants' Paradise

[kernelbogey]

Merriam-Webster online is not very helpful. It gives math as an abbreviation of mathematics (first usage circa 1847), the lattter 'noun plural but usually singular in construction'.

I'm not sure if a longer entry may be available, as these definitions appear as 'definition for English learners'. So just my two bits, as they say.

[french frank]

I'd probably say that if I were judging your behaviour.

If I were marking your essay, I'd say 'Your ethics is appalling'.

Not 'Your Ethics is appalling'?

[vinteuil]

The American Mathematical Society uses "mathematics" rather than "mathematic" as the subject; "math" just seems to be an abbreviated form.

http://www.ams.org/home/page

[jean]

Not 'Your Ethics is appalling'?

Yes, but you wouldn't hear the capital letter!

[Pulcinella]

Chambers gives noun ethics (singular).

In any event, Ethics is not that far from Sussex is it?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

In any event, Ethics is not that far from Sussex is it?

Nobody who has ever had to deal with the Eastbourne Council would ever dream of making such a statement!

[Serial_Apologist]

Chambers gives noun ethics (singular).

In any event, Ethics is not that far from Sussex is it?

I prefer to think of it as next door to Suffix!

[vinteuil]

.

... in these non-binary days, it's good to know we got there first -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middlesex

[ tho' of course it is defunct ]

[oddoneout]

.

... in these non-binary days, it's good to know we got there first -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middlesex

[ tho' of course it is defunct ]

Too narrow a focus so now subsumed by the LGBT category....

[subcontrabass]

I only have a baby Liddell & Scott so no citations, but it lists the adjective μαθηματικός, (from from which the Latin is clearly derived) and then gives the feminine singular μαθηματικὴ (sc. τέχνη, art), as meaning mathematics. The neuter plural would not have exactly the same form as the feminine singular (as happens in Latin) but would end in α.

The full Liddell & Scott does include the neuter plural form.

[Pulcinella]

I prefer to think of it as next door to Suffix!

I should probably have written Thuthics!

[Nick Armstrong]

I know one can be too pernickity about rules on spelling &c. &c. and that language is an evolving &c. &c.

But...

[Richard Tarleton]

I know one can be too pernickity about rules on spelling &c. &c. and that language is an evolving &c. &c.

But...

I think we can look forward to lots more "unpresidented acts". His aides could try taking his phone off him, but he'd only get another one

[jean]

Witing of the latest Sherlock, the Telegraph critic considers that the much-talked-about demolition of six busts of Margaret Thatcher was an unnecessary piece of iconoclasticism.

I wondered what was wrong with iconoclasm.

(But I see the OED did find one citation, from 1885.)

[ahinton]

Witing of the latest Sherlock, the Telegraph critic considers that the much-talked-about demolition of six busts of Margaret Thatcher was an unnecessary piece of iconoclasticism.

I wondered what was wrong with iconoclasm.

(But I see the OED did find one citation, from 1885.)

"Iconoclasticism" sounds like the Sydney Grew version, rather like his references to "homosexualism" which make the act of being gay sound as though it's a professional pursuit.