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  1. Why is the plural form of piano "pianos" and not "pianoes"?

    Jul 21, 2017 · The rule says that if a singular noun ends in consonant + "o" then the plural form will be consonant + "oes". e.g. tomato => tomatoes. Then, why this rule does not apply to piano?

  2. etymology - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

    Oct 30, 2020 · Only a week or two ago, the British Admiralty was proudly demonstrating to King George its new eight-barreled anti-aircraft guns, "Chicago pianos,"…named, forsooth, after the sawed-off …

  3. american english - "Have not" versus "do not have" - English Language ...

    Feb 22, 2011 · English is almost unique in the phenomenon of do-support. Only a few of the Celtic languages and two very small Italian dialects use do in the way English does (and another that uses …

  4. "Soft-peddle" vs. "Soft-pedal": eggcorn blunder or sly play on words?

    I don't see that this is clearly a pun. If he were selling pianos, or perhaps bicycles, it would be a good pun to say he "soft-peddled" them. He's peddling, or selling, his "wares," right? As in, what a peddlar …

  5. Is there a good rule of thumb for plurals of words ending in "o"?

    Apr 29, 2011 · If the noun ends with vowel + o, just add -s: radios, zoos. If it’s a music word, it’s probably Italian, so just add -s: pianos, concertos. Otherwise, look it up in a dictionary. There is no rule of …

  6. What is the origin of the idiom "with all the bells and whistles"?

    Oct 19, 2015 · The invention of portable electrical generators (originally driven by the steam-engines that were used to move the travelling fairground rides) was also a big influence on the design. Prior to …

  7. “I haven't got” vs. “I don't have” - English Language & Usage ...

    Oct 2, 2012 · Which is the correct way of saying this in English? I haven't got any money. I don't have any money. If both are correct, which is the difference between them?

  8. Plural for "photo"? - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

    The verbs go and do in the 3rd person singular are goes and does; the nouns potato (s) potatoes and hero (s) heroes (pl) follow the same pattern, hence some people apply the same spelling convention …

  9. Why are the buttons on computer keyboards called "keys"?

    Jul 3, 2015 · A computer keyboard is a board of keys. Why are these buttons called keys? Is it related to the usage of piano "keys"?

  10. grammar - play piano v.s. play the piano - English Language & Usage ...

    Jan 26, 2017 · I've heard that 'play piano' is OK in American usage. Is that true? What I learned so far is 'play the piano'. As long as it comes to the instruments, we usually "play the (instrument)". Is that co...