“Fish and chips shop” or “fish and chip shop”?
When referring to a restaurant specializing in fish and chips would you call it a fish and chip shop or a fish and chips shop?
word-choice grammatical-number compounds attributive-nouns
edited 5 hours ago
Mari-Lou A
62.3k55221458
asked 7 hours ago
Larry HopkinsLarry Hopkins
162
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Larry Hopkins is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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show 5 more comments
When referring to a restaurant specializing in fish and chips would you call it a fish and chip shop or a fish and chips shop?
word-choice grammatical-number compounds attributive-nouns
edited 5 hours ago
Mari-Lou A
62.3k55221458
asked 7 hours ago
Larry HopkinsLarry Hopkins
162
New contributor
Larry Hopkins is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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"Fish" is plural like "people". On the other hand if you describe several kinds of fish or people you can use "fishes" and "peoples".
– Rusty Core
7 hours ago
@RustyCore we very rarely say "fishes" and I have absolutely never seen a "fishes" shop.
– Weather Vane
7 hours ago
Does this mean I'm wrong in describing someone as a meat and potatoes guy? I've always used the the plural potatoes.
– Larry Hopkins
6 hours ago
Larry that refers to a dish he likes rather than a shop.
– Weather Vane
5 hours ago
1
If the term were "fish and chips shop", the extra "s" would decay rapidly because few people would take the time to clearly enunciate it separately from the "s" in "shop".
– Boann
3 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
When referring to a restaurant specializing in fish and chips would you call it a fish and chip shop or a fish and chips shop?
word-choice grammatical-number compounds attributive-nouns
edited 5 hours ago
Mari-Lou A
62.3k55221458
asked 7 hours ago
Larry HopkinsLarry Hopkins
162
New contributor
Larry Hopkins is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
When referring to a restaurant specializing in fish and chips would you call it a fish and chip shop or a fish and chips shop?
word-choice grammatical-number compounds attributive-nouns
word-choice grammatical-number compounds attributive-nouns
edited 5 hours ago
Mari-Lou A
62.3k55221458
asked 7 hours ago
Larry HopkinsLarry Hopkins
162
New contributor
Larry Hopkins is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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edited 5 hours ago
Mari-Lou A
62.3k55221458
asked 7 hours ago
Larry HopkinsLarry Hopkins
162
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Larry Hopkins is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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edited 5 hours ago
Mari-Lou A
62.3k55221458
edited 5 hours ago
Mari-Lou A
62.3k55221458
edited 5 hours ago
Mari-Lou A
62.3k55221458
62.3k55221458
asked 7 hours ago
Larry HopkinsLarry Hopkins
162
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Larry Hopkins is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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asked 7 hours ago
Larry HopkinsLarry Hopkins
162
asked 7 hours ago
Larry HopkinsLarry Hopkins
162
162
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Larry Hopkins is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor
Larry Hopkins is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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"Fish" is plural like "people". On the other hand if you describe several kinds of fish or people you can use "fishes" and "peoples".
– Rusty Core
7 hours ago
@RustyCore we very rarely say "fishes" and I have absolutely never seen a "fishes" shop.
– Weather Vane
7 hours ago
Does this mean I'm wrong in describing someone as a meat and potatoes guy? I've always used the the plural potatoes.
– Larry Hopkins
6 hours ago
Larry that refers to a dish he likes rather than a shop.
– Weather Vane
5 hours ago
1
If the term were "fish and chips shop", the extra "s" would decay rapidly because few people would take the time to clearly enunciate it separately from the "s" in "shop".
– Boann
3 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
"Fish" is plural like "people". On the other hand if you describe several kinds of fish or people you can use "fishes" and "peoples".
– Rusty Core
7 hours ago
@RustyCore we very rarely say "fishes" and I have absolutely never seen a "fishes" shop.
– Weather Vane
7 hours ago
Does this mean I'm wrong in describing someone as a meat and potatoes guy? I've always used the the plural potatoes.
– Larry Hopkins
6 hours ago
Larry that refers to a dish he likes rather than a shop.
– Weather Vane
5 hours ago
1
If the term were "fish and chips shop", the extra "s" would decay rapidly because few people would take the time to clearly enunciate it separately from the "s" in "shop".
– Boann
3 hours ago
"Fish" is plural like "people". On the other hand if you describe several kinds of fish or people you can use "fishes" and "peoples".
– Rusty Core
7 hours ago
"Fish" is plural like "people". On the other hand if you describe several kinds of fish or people you can use "fishes" and "peoples".
– Rusty Core
7 hours ago
@RustyCore we very rarely say "fishes" and I have absolutely never seen a "fishes" shop.
– Weather Vane
7 hours ago
@RustyCore we very rarely say "fishes" and I have absolutely never seen a "fishes" shop.
– Weather Vane
7 hours ago
Does this mean I'm wrong in describing someone as a meat and potatoes guy? I've always used the the plural potatoes.
– Larry Hopkins
6 hours ago
Does this mean I'm wrong in describing someone as a meat and potatoes guy? I've always used the the plural potatoes.
– Larry Hopkins
6 hours ago
Larry that refers to a dish he likes rather than a shop.
– Weather Vane
5 hours ago
Larry that refers to a dish he likes rather than a shop.
– Weather Vane
5 hours ago
1
1
If the term were "fish and chips shop", the extra "s" would decay rapidly because few people would take the time to clearly enunciate it separately from the "s" in "shop".
– Boann
3 hours ago
If the term were "fish and chips shop", the extra "s" would decay rapidly because few people would take the time to clearly enunciate it separately from the "s" in "shop".
– Boann
3 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
It is a "fish and chip" shop, but you order "fish and chips".
Or just a chip shop since they always sell fish too.
In general, a shop selling a product refers to its product as a collective noun in the singular.
Chip shop — sells chips.
Cake shop — sells cakes.
Curtain shop — sells curtains.
answered 7 hours ago
Weather VaneWeather Vane
2,234414
In the UK I presume. In Canada there are "chip wagons." These are trucks that sell french fried potatoes with gravy and curds. This is extremely popular in Quebec. No fish. It's called "poutine."
– puppetsock
7 hours ago
@puppetsock for French StackExchange?
– Weather Vane
7 hours ago
Vain That would have been "pas de poisson" if it was for the French SE.
– puppetsock
7 hours ago
1
@puppetsock moi, j'ai un "passion de pois".
– Weather Vane
6 hours ago
2
@Mari-LouA "chippy" is still in vogue AFAIK.
– Weather Vane
5 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
There is no absolute rule forbidding the use of a plural noun in the first part of a compound. However, it is more usual in general to use the singular form, and "fish and chip(s) shop" doesn't seem to be an exception to that tendency.
The Google Ngram Viewer suggests that both forms exist, but that "fish and chip shop" is more common than "fish and chips shop":
Some comments have brought up the supposed phonetic indistiguishability of "fish and chip shop" and "fish and chips shop", but I can't see how that could determine the spelling one way or another: even if it is true that nobody ever pronounces these any differently in practice (which I rather doubt), that wouldn't prevent people from using the spelling "fish and chips shop" for the pronunciation [fɪʃn̩t͡ʃɪpʃɒp].
answered 2 hours ago
sumelicsumelic
48.3k8114219
add a comment |
Either way should be acceptable.
answered 2 hours ago
Paul WeaverPaul Weaver
91
New contributor
Paul Weaver is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Hi Paul, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but it's too short: the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g., add a published definition (linked to the source) and examples of its use. Or if that sounds like too much effort (given the other answers), you can always delete your post. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
1 hour ago
1
This is not just a good start; this is the correct answer. First, because it's for a business, and businesses aren't subject to grammar or usage rules. Second, because there's no difference between Fish and Chips Shop and Fish and Chip Shop in English. Nobody can hear the /s/ at the end of Chips when it comes before the /ʃ/ of Shop. The phrases are identical in pronunciation, and how they are spelled is irrelevant because advertising makes its own rules.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
add a comment |
When a noun is used as an adjective, it is almost always the singular form, even when the noun is not normally used as a singular. E.g:
- car - car alarm
- house - house key
- trousers - trouser press
- spectacles - spectacle maker
But:
- clothes - clothes line
So, "fish and chips" is the noun phrase, and becomes singular:
- fish and chips - fish and chip shop
answered 1 hour ago
CJ DennisCJ Dennis
2,03841643
"Almost always" may overstate things. A number of exceptions are mentioned in this answer: english.stackexchange.com/a/397244/77227
– sumelic
1 hour ago
@sumelic After reading that answer, I'd still advise using the singular as a rule of thumb.
– CJ Dennis
1 hour ago
Right, I agree about that as a rule of thumb, I was just quibbling about the wording "almost always". I'd guess that there are more than a hundred exceptions
– sumelic
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
It is a "fish and chip" shop, but you order "fish and chips".
Or just a chip shop since they always sell fish too.
In general, a shop selling a product refers to its product as a collective noun in the singular.
Chip shop — sells chips.
Cake shop — sells cakes.
Curtain shop — sells curtains.
answered 7 hours ago
Weather VaneWeather Vane
2,234414
In the UK I presume. In Canada there are "chip wagons." These are trucks that sell french fried potatoes with gravy and curds. This is extremely popular in Quebec. No fish. It's called "poutine."
– puppetsock
7 hours ago
@puppetsock for French StackExchange?
– Weather Vane
7 hours ago
Vain That would have been "pas de poisson" if it was for the French SE.
– puppetsock
7 hours ago
1
@puppetsock moi, j'ai un "passion de pois".
– Weather Vane
6 hours ago
2
@Mari-LouA "chippy" is still in vogue AFAIK.
– Weather Vane
5 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
It is a "fish and chip" shop, but you order "fish and chips".
Or just a chip shop since they always sell fish too.
In general, a shop selling a product refers to its product as a collective noun in the singular.
Chip shop — sells chips.
Cake shop — sells cakes.
Curtain shop — sells curtains.
answered 7 hours ago
Weather VaneWeather Vane
2,234414
In the UK I presume. In Canada there are "chip wagons." These are trucks that sell french fried potatoes with gravy and curds. This is extremely popular in Quebec. No fish. It's called "poutine."
– puppetsock
7 hours ago
@puppetsock for French StackExchange?
– Weather Vane
7 hours ago
Vain That would have been "pas de poisson" if it was for the French SE.
– puppetsock
7 hours ago
1
@puppetsock moi, j'ai un "passion de pois".
– Weather Vane
6 hours ago
2
@Mari-LouA "chippy" is still in vogue AFAIK.
– Weather Vane
5 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
It is a "fish and chip" shop, but you order "fish and chips".
Or just a chip shop since they always sell fish too.
In general, a shop selling a product refers to its product as a collective noun in the singular.
Chip shop — sells chips.
Cake shop — sells cakes.
Curtain shop — sells curtains.
answered 7 hours ago
Weather VaneWeather Vane
2,234414
It is a "fish and chip" shop, but you order "fish and chips".
Or just a chip shop since they always sell fish too.
In general, a shop selling a product refers to its product as a collective noun in the singular.
Chip shop — sells chips.
Cake shop — sells cakes.
Curtain shop — sells curtains.
answered 7 hours ago
Weather VaneWeather Vane
2,234414
answered 7 hours ago
Weather VaneWeather Vane
2,234414
answered 7 hours ago
Weather VaneWeather Vane
2,234414
answered 7 hours ago
Weather VaneWeather Vane
2,234414
2,234414
In the UK I presume. In Canada there are "chip wagons." These are trucks that sell french fried potatoes with gravy and curds. This is extremely popular in Quebec. No fish. It's called "poutine."
– puppetsock
7 hours ago
@puppetsock for French StackExchange?
– Weather Vane
7 hours ago
Vain That would have been "pas de poisson" if it was for the French SE.
– puppetsock
7 hours ago
1
@puppetsock moi, j'ai un "passion de pois".
– Weather Vane
6 hours ago
2
@Mari-LouA "chippy" is still in vogue AFAIK.
– Weather Vane
5 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
In the UK I presume. In Canada there are "chip wagons." These are trucks that sell french fried potatoes with gravy and curds. This is extremely popular in Quebec. No fish. It's called "poutine."
– puppetsock
7 hours ago
@puppetsock for French StackExchange?
– Weather Vane
7 hours ago
Vain That would have been "pas de poisson" if it was for the French SE.
– puppetsock
7 hours ago
1
@puppetsock moi, j'ai un "passion de pois".
– Weather Vane
6 hours ago
2
@Mari-LouA "chippy" is still in vogue AFAIK.
– Weather Vane
5 hours ago
In the UK I presume. In Canada there are "chip wagons." These are trucks that sell french fried potatoes with gravy and curds. This is extremely popular in Quebec. No fish. It's called "poutine."
– puppetsock
7 hours ago
In the UK I presume. In Canada there are "chip wagons." These are trucks that sell french fried potatoes with gravy and curds. This is extremely popular in Quebec. No fish. It's called "poutine."
– puppetsock
7 hours ago
@puppetsock for French StackExchange?
– Weather Vane
7 hours ago
@puppetsock for French StackExchange?
– Weather Vane
7 hours ago
Vain That would have been "pas de poisson" if it was for the French SE.
– puppetsock
7 hours ago
Vain That would have been "pas de poisson" if it was for the French SE.
– puppetsock
7 hours ago
1
1
@puppetsock moi, j'ai un "passion de pois".
– Weather Vane
6 hours ago
@puppetsock moi, j'ai un "passion de pois".
– Weather Vane
6 hours ago
2
2
@Mari-LouA "chippy" is still in vogue AFAIK.
– Weather Vane
5 hours ago
@Mari-LouA "chippy" is still in vogue AFAIK.
– Weather Vane
5 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
There is no absolute rule forbidding the use of a plural noun in the first part of a compound. However, it is more usual in general to use the singular form, and "fish and chip(s) shop" doesn't seem to be an exception to that tendency.
The Google Ngram Viewer suggests that both forms exist, but that "fish and chip shop" is more common than "fish and chips shop":
Some comments have brought up the supposed phonetic indistiguishability of "fish and chip shop" and "fish and chips shop", but I can't see how that could determine the spelling one way or another: even if it is true that nobody ever pronounces these any differently in practice (which I rather doubt), that wouldn't prevent people from using the spelling "fish and chips shop" for the pronunciation [fɪʃn̩t͡ʃɪpʃɒp].
answered 2 hours ago
sumelicsumelic
48.3k8114219
add a comment |
There is no absolute rule forbidding the use of a plural noun in the first part of a compound. However, it is more usual in general to use the singular form, and "fish and chip(s) shop" doesn't seem to be an exception to that tendency.
The Google Ngram Viewer suggests that both forms exist, but that "fish and chip shop" is more common than "fish and chips shop":
Some comments have brought up the supposed phonetic indistiguishability of "fish and chip shop" and "fish and chips shop", but I can't see how that could determine the spelling one way or another: even if it is true that nobody ever pronounces these any differently in practice (which I rather doubt), that wouldn't prevent people from using the spelling "fish and chips shop" for the pronunciation [fɪʃn̩t͡ʃɪpʃɒp].
answered 2 hours ago
sumelicsumelic
48.3k8114219
add a comment |
There is no absolute rule forbidding the use of a plural noun in the first part of a compound. However, it is more usual in general to use the singular form, and "fish and chip(s) shop" doesn't seem to be an exception to that tendency.
The Google Ngram Viewer suggests that both forms exist, but that "fish and chip shop" is more common than "fish and chips shop":
Some comments have brought up the supposed phonetic indistiguishability of "fish and chip shop" and "fish and chips shop", but I can't see how that could determine the spelling one way or another: even if it is true that nobody ever pronounces these any differently in practice (which I rather doubt), that wouldn't prevent people from using the spelling "fish and chips shop" for the pronunciation [fɪʃn̩t͡ʃɪpʃɒp].
answered 2 hours ago
sumelicsumelic
48.3k8114219
There is no absolute rule forbidding the use of a plural noun in the first part of a compound. However, it is more usual in general to use the singular form, and "fish and chip(s) shop" doesn't seem to be an exception to that tendency.
The Google Ngram Viewer suggests that both forms exist, but that "fish and chip shop" is more common than "fish and chips shop":
Some comments have brought up the supposed phonetic indistiguishability of "fish and chip shop" and "fish and chips shop", but I can't see how that could determine the spelling one way or another: even if it is true that nobody ever pronounces these any differently in practice (which I rather doubt), that wouldn't prevent people from using the spelling "fish and chips shop" for the pronunciation [fɪʃn̩t͡ʃɪpʃɒp].
answered 2 hours ago
sumelicsumelic
48.3k8114219
edited 40 mins ago
answered 2 hours ago
sumelicsumelic
48.3k8114219
answered 2 hours ago
sumelicsumelic
48.3k8114219
answered 2 hours ago
sumelicsumelic
48.3k8114219
48.3k8114219
add a comment |
add a comment |
Either way should be acceptable.
answered 2 hours ago
Paul WeaverPaul Weaver
91
New contributor
Paul Weaver is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Hi Paul, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but it's too short: the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g., add a published definition (linked to the source) and examples of its use. Or if that sounds like too much effort (given the other answers), you can always delete your post. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
1 hour ago
1
This is not just a good start; this is the correct answer. First, because it's for a business, and businesses aren't subject to grammar or usage rules. Second, because there's no difference between Fish and Chips Shop and Fish and Chip Shop in English. Nobody can hear the /s/ at the end of Chips when it comes before the /ʃ/ of Shop. The phrases are identical in pronunciation, and how they are spelled is irrelevant because advertising makes its own rules.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Either way should be acceptable.
answered 2 hours ago
Paul WeaverPaul Weaver
91
New contributor
Paul Weaver is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Hi Paul, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but it's too short: the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g., add a published definition (linked to the source) and examples of its use. Or if that sounds like too much effort (given the other answers), you can always delete your post. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
1 hour ago
1
This is not just a good start; this is the correct answer. First, because it's for a business, and businesses aren't subject to grammar or usage rules. Second, because there's no difference between Fish and Chips Shop and Fish and Chip Shop in English. Nobody can hear the /s/ at the end of Chips when it comes before the /ʃ/ of Shop. The phrases are identical in pronunciation, and how they are spelled is irrelevant because advertising makes its own rules.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Either way should be acceptable.
answered 2 hours ago
Paul WeaverPaul Weaver
91
New contributor
Paul Weaver is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Either way should be acceptable.
answered 2 hours ago
Paul WeaverPaul Weaver
91
New contributor
Paul Weaver is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 hours ago
Paul WeaverPaul Weaver
91
New contributor
Paul Weaver is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 hours ago
Paul WeaverPaul Weaver
91
answered 2 hours ago
Paul WeaverPaul Weaver
91
91
New contributor
Paul Weaver is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Paul Weaver is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Paul Weaver is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Hi Paul, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but it's too short: the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g., add a published definition (linked to the source) and examples of its use. Or if that sounds like too much effort (given the other answers), you can always delete your post. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
1 hour ago
1
This is not just a good start; this is the correct answer. First, because it's for a business, and businesses aren't subject to grammar or usage rules. Second, because there's no difference between Fish and Chips Shop and Fish and Chip Shop in English. Nobody can hear the /s/ at the end of Chips when it comes before the /ʃ/ of Shop. The phrases are identical in pronunciation, and how they are spelled is irrelevant because advertising makes its own rules.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
add a comment |
1
Hi Paul, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but it's too short: the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g., add a published definition (linked to the source) and examples of its use. Or if that sounds like too much effort (given the other answers), you can always delete your post. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
1 hour ago
1
This is not just a good start; this is the correct answer. First, because it's for a business, and businesses aren't subject to grammar or usage rules. Second, because there's no difference between Fish and Chips Shop and Fish and Chip Shop in English. Nobody can hear the /s/ at the end of Chips when it comes before the /ʃ/ of Shop. The phrases are identical in pronunciation, and how they are spelled is irrelevant because advertising makes its own rules.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
1
1
Hi Paul, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but it's too short: the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g., add a published definition (linked to the source) and examples of its use. Or if that sounds like too much effort (given the other answers), you can always delete your post. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
1 hour ago
Hi Paul, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but it's too short: the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g., add a published definition (linked to the source) and examples of its use. Or if that sounds like too much effort (given the other answers), you can always delete your post. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
1 hour ago
1
1
This is not just a good start; this is the correct answer. First, because it's for a business, and businesses aren't subject to grammar or usage rules. Second, because there's no difference between Fish and Chips Shop and Fish and Chip Shop in English. Nobody can hear the /s/ at the end of Chips when it comes before the /ʃ/ of Shop. The phrases are identical in pronunciation, and how they are spelled is irrelevant because advertising makes its own rules.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
This is not just a good start; this is the correct answer. First, because it's for a business, and businesses aren't subject to grammar or usage rules. Second, because there's no difference between Fish and Chips Shop and Fish and Chip Shop in English. Nobody can hear the /s/ at the end of Chips when it comes before the /ʃ/ of Shop. The phrases are identical in pronunciation, and how they are spelled is irrelevant because advertising makes its own rules.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
add a comment |
When a noun is used as an adjective, it is almost always the singular form, even when the noun is not normally used as a singular. E.g:
- car - car alarm
- house - house key
- trousers - trouser press
- spectacles - spectacle maker
But:
- clothes - clothes line
So, "fish and chips" is the noun phrase, and becomes singular:
- fish and chips - fish and chip shop
answered 1 hour ago
CJ DennisCJ Dennis
2,03841643
"Almost always" may overstate things. A number of exceptions are mentioned in this answer: english.stackexchange.com/a/397244/77227
– sumelic
1 hour ago
@sumelic After reading that answer, I'd still advise using the singular as a rule of thumb.
– CJ Dennis
1 hour ago
Right, I agree about that as a rule of thumb, I was just quibbling about the wording "almost always". I'd guess that there are more than a hundred exceptions
– sumelic
1 hour ago
add a comment |
When a noun is used as an adjective, it is almost always the singular form, even when the noun is not normally used as a singular. E.g:
- car - car alarm
- house - house key
- trousers - trouser press
- spectacles - spectacle maker
But:
- clothes - clothes line
So, "fish and chips" is the noun phrase, and becomes singular:
- fish and chips - fish and chip shop
answered 1 hour ago
CJ DennisCJ Dennis
2,03841643
"Almost always" may overstate things. A number of exceptions are mentioned in this answer: english.stackexchange.com/a/397244/77227
– sumelic
1 hour ago
@sumelic After reading that answer, I'd still advise using the singular as a rule of thumb.
– CJ Dennis
1 hour ago
Right, I agree about that as a rule of thumb, I was just quibbling about the wording "almost always". I'd guess that there are more than a hundred exceptions
– sumelic
1 hour ago
add a comment |
When a noun is used as an adjective, it is almost always the singular form, even when the noun is not normally used as a singular. E.g:
- car - car alarm
- house - house key
- trousers - trouser press
- spectacles - spectacle maker
But:
- clothes - clothes line
So, "fish and chips" is the noun phrase, and becomes singular:
- fish and chips - fish and chip shop
answered 1 hour ago
CJ DennisCJ Dennis
2,03841643
When a noun is used as an adjective, it is almost always the singular form, even when the noun is not normally used as a singular. E.g:
- car - car alarm
- house - house key
- trousers - trouser press
- spectacles - spectacle maker
But:
- clothes - clothes line
So, "fish and chips" is the noun phrase, and becomes singular:
- fish and chips - fish and chip shop
answered 1 hour ago
CJ DennisCJ Dennis
2,03841643
answered 1 hour ago
CJ DennisCJ Dennis
2,03841643
answered 1 hour ago
CJ DennisCJ Dennis
2,03841643
answered 1 hour ago
CJ DennisCJ Dennis
2,03841643
2,03841643
"Almost always" may overstate things. A number of exceptions are mentioned in this answer: english.stackexchange.com/a/397244/77227
– sumelic
1 hour ago
@sumelic After reading that answer, I'd still advise using the singular as a rule of thumb.
– CJ Dennis
1 hour ago
Right, I agree about that as a rule of thumb, I was just quibbling about the wording "almost always". I'd guess that there are more than a hundred exceptions
– sumelic
1 hour ago
add a comment |
"Almost always" may overstate things. A number of exceptions are mentioned in this answer: english.stackexchange.com/a/397244/77227
– sumelic
1 hour ago
@sumelic After reading that answer, I'd still advise using the singular as a rule of thumb.
– CJ Dennis
1 hour ago
Right, I agree about that as a rule of thumb, I was just quibbling about the wording "almost always". I'd guess that there are more than a hundred exceptions
– sumelic
1 hour ago
"Almost always" may overstate things. A number of exceptions are mentioned in this answer: english.stackexchange.com/a/397244/77227
– sumelic
1 hour ago
"Almost always" may overstate things. A number of exceptions are mentioned in this answer: english.stackexchange.com/a/397244/77227
– sumelic
1 hour ago
@sumelic After reading that answer, I'd still advise using the singular as a rule of thumb.
– CJ Dennis
1 hour ago
@sumelic After reading that answer, I'd still advise using the singular as a rule of thumb.
– CJ Dennis
1 hour ago
Right, I agree about that as a rule of thumb, I was just quibbling about the wording "almost always". I'd guess that there are more than a hundred exceptions
– sumelic
1 hour ago
Right, I agree about that as a rule of thumb, I was just quibbling about the wording "almost always". I'd guess that there are more than a hundred exceptions
– sumelic
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Larry Hopkins is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Larry Hopkins is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Larry Hopkins is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Larry Hopkins is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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"Fish" is plural like "people". On the other hand if you describe several kinds of fish or people you can use "fishes" and "peoples".
– Rusty Core
7 hours ago
@RustyCore we very rarely say "fishes" and I have absolutely never seen a "fishes" shop.
– Weather Vane
7 hours ago
Does this mean I'm wrong in describing someone as a meat and potatoes guy? I've always used the the plural potatoes.
– Larry Hopkins
6 hours ago
Larry that refers to a dish he likes rather than a shop.
– Weather Vane
5 hours ago
1
If the term were "fish and chips shop", the extra "s" would decay rapidly because few people would take the time to clearly enunciate it separately from the "s" in "shop".
– Boann
3 hours ago