Reindeers and elf’s on shelfs.

All those en plural endings vanished apart from two, oxen and brethren

And "children"??

Remember “childer” is a dialect form of “children” too! We’re closer to German than some people think.

Oreo

Language changes doesn’t it? The plural in Anglo Saxon times was an ending of en, that changed with the Normans into es plural endings.
So before 1066 a pair of shoes ( as we now call them) was shoen.
All those en plural endings vanished apart from two, oxen and brethren.

Well, the Anglo Saxons were Germanic and the Normans were French Vikings, so I guess they used the plurals they felt happiest with.

We haven't yet decided if we are Roman or British with some words we use. Fora or Forums, Memoranda or Memorandums, Gymnasia or Gymnasiums? As for roofs or rooves, I know rooves has always been the "correct" plural, but I have never felt comfortable with it. However, I will draw the line at horses having hoofs instead of hooves, if and when that becomes an issue. (and it is definitely Elves on shelves).

RosieandherMaw

^The word "roofs" has been the standard plural since at least the 18th century , making the transition from "rooves" gradual and complete by that time. While "rooves" was once used due to an old rule for changing "-f" to "-ves" in the plural (like "hoof" to "hooves"), it is now considered a spelling error by most sources and should be avoided^.

I know rooves has always been the "correct" plural, but I have never felt comfortable with it

NO it hasn’t and isn’t (not since the 18th century)
See my post above from the OED.

Oreo

Language changes doesn’t it? The plural in Anglo Saxon times was an ending of en, that changed with the Normans into es plural endings.
So before 1066 a pair of shoes ( as we now call them) was shoen.
All those en plural endings vanished apart from two, oxen and brethren.

Children, women, men?

I popped in to a xmas craft market yesterday and had to buy this pair of elves. Beautifully knitted and about a foot tall.

Primrose53

I popped in to a xmas craft market yesterday and had to buy this pair of elves. Beautifully knitted and about a foot tall.

I have the Jean Greenhowe Christmas knitting book, I wonder if the elves are in there? I do like them.

Just looked, no, but I did knit Mr and Mrs Frosty for charity one year.

Surely it should be elve's on shelve's?

😋

FranP

Catgrann

Please may I come and watch you do that 😉

Me too. Do we not have enough cr*p to buy at this time of year?

End of October, I find myself rushing to M&S to get advent calendars that actually show the nativity story rather than Bart Simpson etc

Dont you mean Advent calendar's?

keepingquiet

I hate them- nothing but commercial rubbish.

When I see this stuff in the shops I want to smash it all and stamp on it!

Yes, absolutely nothing to do with the person at the centre of all this, Jesus.

Oh Primrose, they look lovely, but beware - they are likely to be very mischievous...you have been warned.

windmill1

keepingquiet

I hate them- nothing but commercial rubbish.

When I see this stuff in the shops I want to smash it all and stamp on it!

Yes, absolutely nothing to do with the person at the centre of all this, Jesus.

Well, the nativity scene takes a bit more knitting than elves.

St Nicholas was a real person, the inspiration behind Santa Claus? (Say St Nicholas quickly)
Patron Saint of children and a secret giver of gifts, some in stockings.