'Head or tail?' vs 'Heads or tails?'

Tom · Mon Jan 29, 2007 23:45 pm *'Head or tail?' vs 'Heads or tails?'*

Hi

I just heard someone saying while he was flipping a coin,

'Heads or tails?'

Is it correct? If yes, why? Why not 'Head or tail?' ?

Tom

Yankee · Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:00 am *'Head or tail?' vs 'Heads or tails?'*

Hi Tom

When you flip a coin, the plural forms (heads/tails) are used. I don't know why. It would sound very strange to me to hear the singular forms used in this context.

But there is also the idiom "can't make head (n)or tail of something" which means not able to understand something at all.

Amy

Tamara · Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:42 am *'Head or tail?' vs 'Heads or tails?'*

Hi

It’s just the name of the game, what logic are you expecting, Tom? Smile

Conchita · Tue Jan 30, 2007 12:40 pm *'Head or tail?' vs 'Heads or tails?'*

Another expression you can use before you spin the coin is 'we'll toss for it'.

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