6 ms·

*attorneys general (it's one of the more fun plurals out there)

• tclancy 4d ago
  It’s because it’s from the French (if you say the plural with a French accent, it all makes sense). There are a handful of other cases in English, though none spring to mind this morning.
  • JoshTriplett 4d ago
    And, in particular, because unlike the English norm, the noun is first and the adjective second. Courts martial. Daughters-in-law. Passers-by. Professors Emeriti. Secretaries general. Agents provocateurs.
    • tclancy 4d ago
      I feel like you’re half right? Daughters in law and passers by don’t feel Norman French. Daughter is definitely from middle German, yeah? And I am wondering about the professors example because the whole point is the plural only happens on the first word. That said, I so want to be a part of the last group.