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 #1 (permalink) Sat Jan 06, 2007 10:51 am Expression: " Hotel crab Hotel..." |
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Hi
The following conversation was held somewhere else, but since I could neither make a head or tail of the question, I am forced to ask for further explanation!  What is Hotel crab Hotel? Please tell me what he is asking!
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I have been confused about how to use the following words written in a plural sense.
Ok this is pertaining to a type of crab that is eaten in restaurants. These actual words are pertaining to sizes.
Hotel crab Hotel is the size for ordering. How do you turn it into a plural
Hotel's crab or Hotels crab
So the sizes go;
Medium
Hotel
Jumbo
Prime
Whale and then the type of crab that is.
But we use the size determinating word too without ever mentioning the
crab.. Say we say Hotel in the plural sense ,but never mention the crab.
The sizes are and adjective, but also a possesive noun. Correct?
How should I address the writing part? I really need to know.
My guess is that it is apostrope s.. 's for a possevive thing |
| Mister Micawber wrote: |
Your post is inordinately confusing, but I shall essay it:
These are the sizes-- Medium, Hotel, Jumbo, Prime, Whale?
And they are matched with a kind of crab-- Softshell, King, Blue?
Then I might order one Medium Softshell Crab or one Hotel Blue Crab.
Or I might order two Medium Softshell Crabs or two Hotel Blue Crabs.
For short, I would order one Hotel Blue or two Hotel Blues.
Shorter: one Hotel or two Hotels.
There is no possession involved, and therefore no apostrophes. |
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Tom
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 2061
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| #2 (permalink) Sat Jan 06, 2007 13:16 pm Expression: " Hotel crab Hotel..." |
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Hi Tom
I agree with MM -- The whole post is confusing, however I would interpret everything exactly the same way MM did.
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| Hotel crab Hotel is the size for ordering. How do you turn it into a plural |
As regards "Hotel crab Hotel" -- I'd say there is some missing punctuation there.
Hotel Crab: "Hotel" is the size for ordering. How do you turn it into a plural?
The word hotel functions as an adjective and modifies the noun crab. If both words are used, then crab is the word that would be made plural:
They ordered two hotel crabs.
They ordered two jumbo crabs.
If the noun crab can be understood in the context and only the size is mentioned, then the plural s can be added to the size:
They ordered two hotels.
They ordered two jumbos.
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| The sizes are and adjective, but also a possesive noun. Correct? |
Incorrect. As MM mentioned, the size of the crab is not possessive, so using an apostrophe with the word hotel (hotel's) is not correct in this case.
Amy |
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Yankee
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Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8265
Location: USA
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| #3 (permalink) Sat Jan 06, 2007 13:45 pm Expression: " Hotel crab Hotel..." |
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I have never heard of the word "hotel" being used to designate a size for sea crabs, but since I'm so underdeveloped in culinary knowledge, I'll defer to the superior knowledge of people who have more experience in that.
I do know the term crab hotel, however. It means a hotel that is so unsanitary that it's possible to catch crab lice from the beds. |
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Jamie (K)
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Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 5334
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA
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| #4 (permalink) Sat Jan 06, 2007 14:22 pm Expression: " Hotel crab Hotel..." |
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Hi Tom
Jamie's right about using the word 'hotel' to indicate size (i.e. it's not usual -- 'prime' and 'whale' are also not typical whereas 'medium' and 'jumbo' would be), however restaurants often create their own size terminology.
A friend of mine owns a small chain of restaurants and is very creative with words and wording not only on the menu but also on various signs in the restaurants. Half the fun of eating at one of her restaurants is just reading (and enjoying) the menu. 
Amy |
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Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8265
Location: USA
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| "Audience" vs "Audiences" | "Forward me" vs "Forward to me" |
