Kilt versu Kilts

**Makeitstop** · 29th February 08, 02:47 AM

When referring to them universally, it is the kilt. When referring to them in the particular, its kilts.

"I love wearing the kilt." or "Which of these kilts do you like better?"

**Macman** · 29th February 08, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Makeitstop

When referring to them universally, it is the kilt. When referring to them in the particular, its kilts.

"I love wearing the kilt." or "Which of these kilts do you like better?"

I think you and Beloitpiper have it right.

**Tetley** · 25th October 08, 04:17 AM

Originally Posted by Makeitstop

When referring to them universally, it is the kilt. When referring to them in the particular, its kilts.

"I love wearing the kilt." or "Which of these kilts do you like better?"

Not in the UK or at least not that I've been taught. I'd ask "Which of these kilt do you like better?", if I ever asked anyone, that is

**JakobT** · 29th February 08, 03:37 AM

This is how the word is listed in MSN Encarta:

kilt [ kilt ] (plural kilts)

noun
Definition:

Scottish garment: a knee-length wraparound tartan garment that is part of the traditional Scottish highland dress for men and is also worn by women and girls

[Mid-18th century. < dialect kilt "tuck up, gird" < N Germanic]

kilt·ed adjective

**McClef** · 29th February 08, 04:00 AM

I don't know who these "traditionalists" (cited on the Wiki article) are.

Maybe they only have one to begin with!

But using kilt as a plural sounds wrong in many contexts.

If you say "the Tartan Army were wearing their kilt" or "my wardrobe has 24 kilt" it just doesn't convey the plural at all.

**Phil** · 29th February 08, 05:10 AM

Dont think Hamish would be happy describing his kollection as xx kilt. Not everything in Wikipedia is always accurate and I would always regard the plural of kilt as kilts. My daughter always used to talk about "Look - sheeps".

**O'Callaghan** · 25th October 08, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by Phil

Dont think Hamish would be happy describing his kollection as xx kilt. Not everything in Wikipedia is always accurate and I would always regard the plural of kilt as kilts. My daughter always used to talk about "Look - sheeps".

Everyone knows the correct plural of sheep is sheepses, LOL!

**Squeaky McMurdo** · 25th October 08, 01:15 PM

I thought it was "Sheepies."

**Tetley** · 25th October 08, 04:16 AM

Originally Posted by McClef

I don't know who these "traditionalists" (cited on the Wiki article) are.

Maybe they only have one to begin with!

But using kilt as a plural sounds wrong in many contexts.

If you say "the Tartan Army were wearing their kilt" or "my wardrobe has 24 kilt" it just doesn't convey the plural at all.

That's not the point. Kilt is both singular and plural, just like scissors, sheep, fish and many other English words. Just because it doesn't sound right to you or anyone else, does not make it wrong. Both of the example you gave sound entirely correct to me.

My pond has 24 fish.
My field has 24 sheep.
My wardrobe has 24 kilt.

All correct and no ambiguity.

Mark

**Tetley** · 25th October 08, 04:10 AM

Originally Posted by JakobT

This is how the word is listed in MSN Encarta:

kilt [ kilt ] (plural kilts)

noun
Definition:

Scottish garment: a knee-length wraparound tartan garment that is part of the traditional Scottish highland dress for men and is also worn by women and girls

[Mid-18th century. < dialect kilt "tuck up, gird" < N Germanic]

kilt·ed adjective

You actually believe anything written by Microsoft with checking it first? Brave man!!

Mark

Sorry, that was a bit cynical, but I deal with MS everyday, so perhaps I have reason to be.