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False singular
Form of back-formation
Form of back-formation
In English grammar, a false singular occurs when a singular noun ending in a s or z sound is understood as a plural from which a new singular is constructed. The false singular is a form of back-formation.
Some false singulars become standard English. For example, pea was originally a false singular from pease pl. peasen. The old word remains in the phrase pease porridge.
The non-standard historical forms Chinee and Portuguee are also false singulars, from Chinese and Portuguese.
References
References
- (2020-03-05). "pea". Online Etymology Dictionary.
- "How a Mistake Gave Us the Word 'Cherry'". Merriam-Webster Word History.
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