[chief1983]

Yeah I'm not sure why there's even a grammar hate thread in the first place, but I just figured I'd point out the even more glaring one just to be thorough, hope you can take a ribbing

I've noticed a few people around here and elsewhere, presumably speakers of similar native languages, use "boxen" as the plural of "box."  Unfortunately, English doesn't make enough sense for box to match ox.

It's a reference to the comedian Brian Regan (at least when I use it).  Listen to some of his standup sometime, when he goes on about how retarded he was in school.  He had a hard time with plurals it seems.

[redsniper]

I though boxen was just nerd humor. One computer is a 'box' multiple computers are 'boxen.'

[chief1983]

I'm pretty sure the nerd humor came from Brian Regan, but it may predate him, I don't know.  I've been making the joke ever since I heard him, but I'd never heard boxen before I heard him that I can recall.

[Mongoose]

Huh, and here I thought it was some sort of Germanic linguistic snafu.

[Aardwolf]

Nowadays you can stick "-en" on the end of anything to make it plural.

[Qent]

Well that's one problem solved anyway: Sathanasen.

[Klaustrophobia]

meese.

[Androgeos Exeunt]

Nowadays you can stick "-en" on the end of anything to make it plural.

"Sexen"?

[Aardwolf]

Sathanasen, that's a great example.

Also try:

• Cylopsen
• Nephilimen
• Shivanen
• Hyperbolic Parabaloiden
• Pat Buchananen

[Grizzly]

Somehow, that sounds very dutch.

[Flipside]

And the plural of Lego is Lego, not Legos, dammit!

Edit: If you're going to abbreviate the word 'brick' out, then it doesn't make the brand-name a noun

[Mongoose]

And the plural of Lego is Lego, not Legos, dammit!

Edit: If you're going to abbreviate the word 'brick' out, then it doesn't make the brand-name a noun

People say Xeroxes, so why not Legos?

[TopAce]

Because xerox has become a common noun, a countable one. Lego is still a proper noun. It's possible that in the future, the English language will start to treat lego as a common noun. Whether it will be a countable noun that ends in -s/-es or a mass noun (like traffic) is up to the speakers.

[chief1983]

Both Lego and Xerox have fought to prevent trademark dilution.  Xerox is still a proper noun, but they seem to have lost the battle as it was easier to use the name Xerox as a verb.  If I put a bunch of plastic bricks together, it just doesn't fit to say I "legoed" them.  Lego has only had to fight to make sure Lego isn't used to describe generic plastic blocks.

[The E]

And always remember kids, "photoshop" is NOT A VERB! Because Adobe's law ninjas will hunt you down and sue you if you do use it as one!

PROPER USE OF THE PHOTOSHOP TRADEMARK

Trademarks help protect corporate and product identity, and the Photoshop trademark is one of Adobe's most valuable trademarks. By following the below guidelines, you can help Adobe protect the Photoshop brand name.

The Photoshop trademark must never be used as a common verb or as a noun. The Photoshop trademark should always be capitalized and should never be used in possessive form or as a slang term. It should be used as an adjective to describe the product and should never be used in abbreviated form. The following examples illustrate these rules:

Trademarks are not verbs.

Correct: The image was enhanced using Adobe® Photoshop® software.
Incorrect: The image was photoshopped.

Trademarks are not nouns.

Correct: The image pokes fun at the Senator.
Incorrect: The photoshop pokes fun at the Senator.

Always capitalize and use trademarks in their correct form.

Correct: The image was enhanced with Adobe® Photoshop® Elements software.
Incorrect: The image was photoshopped.
Incorrect: The image was Photoshopped.
Incorrect: The image was Adobe® Photoshopped.

Trademarks must never be used as slang terms.

Correct: Those who use Adobe® Photoshop® software to manipulate images as a hobby see their work as an art form.
Incorrect: A photoshopper sees his hobby as an art form.
Incorrect: My hobby is photoshopping.

Trademarks must never be used in possessive form.

Correct: The new features in Adobe® Photoshop® software are impressive.
Incorrect: Photoshop's new features are impressive.

Trademarks are proper adjectives and should be followed by the generic terms they describe.

Correct: The image was manipulated using Adobe® Photoshop® software.
Incorrect: The image was manipulated using Photoshop.

Trademarks must never be abbreviated.

Correct: Take a look at the new features in Adobe® Photoshop® software.
Incorrect: Take a look at the new features in PS.

The trademark owner should be identified whenever possible.

Adobe and Photoshop are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.

For more information on the proper use of Adobe's trademarks, please refer to the general trademark guidelines.

Note: This is not a joke, btw.

[Sushi]

You can't stop language from developing and evolving naturally. Xerox and Lego and Adobe are all fighting a losing battle against their own brand ubiquity.

In the meantime, I'll photoshop xeroxes of all the legos I want (using GIMP and an HP Printer). There's nothing those companies can do about it. Boo hoo. Have a kleenex.

[TopAce]

These are guidelines for formal documents, nothing else. If I were to write a manual for Adobe, I would no doubt follow these guidelines, but it won't stop me from using shorter, more natural phrases under miscellaneous circumstances.

[Mongoose]

In the meantime, I'll photoshop xeroxes of all the legos I want (using GIMP and an HP Printer). There's nothing those companies can do about it. Boo hoo. Have a kleenex.

Exactly.  I've used the term "Legos" since I was six years old, and damned if I'm going to stop now.

[Flipside]

Just sounds like something out of a Greek Myth to me...

And Lo, he and his band sailed forth to the isle of Legos, their hearts heavy at the burden they faced,
Armed only with their bare hands, and a damp cloth for the ones that glued themselves together with spilt Cola...

[Mongoose]