I'm baffled by persons

[Belles1654]

"I'v e heard of person or persons unknown" as a phrase but more and more people are saying "persons", when I think they mean "people". Is there some rule when to use persons and when to use people, like if you are more than two or three perhaps. Thanks in advance, Belles

[Jamie (K)]

There's no rule as to when to say "people" and when to say "persons", but I'd say that you can use "persons" in an official homicide report, but that you should use "people" everywhere else.

Here is what the Oxford American Dictionary says about it:

[Alan]

Hi,

Another thought on the word 'person' It can be used also in a jocular way as in: Who is this person you keep talking about? Are we ever going to meet with reference to someone who is talked about a lot. It can also be used in a derogatory or slightly snobbish way as in: There is a person to see you, Sir. He calls himself Smith

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Word Story: Search Engines

[Belles1654]

Thanks Jamie for the Oxford dictionary quote, it was very enlightening and your remarks cleared up a baffling point for me. Alan as always your remarks are relevent to the times. -Belles