(no subject)

[kingandy]

When I first heard Leela on Futurama talking about 'A Ham', it tickled me, because previously I had considered ham to be a homogenous substance - like water or sand - rather than something one could have in the singular. (That said, I suppose you can have 'a water', being a glass thereof, in the same way you can have 'a beer' or 'a wine'.)

More recently I was entertained by bacony's determination to acquire 'A Beef'.

And just now, Lynne in the office was talking about 'A Software'!

What.

Comments

[si-lloyd.livejournal.com]

A ham has always been like a big joint of the stuff.

[richc.livejournal.com]

As in http://www.cheapass.com/products/boardgames/cag018.html

[kingandy]

You will note I make no assertion as to the veracity of my previously-held notion, only that it was held, and Leela's usage thus caught the ear and the fancy.

[bacony.livejournal.com]

In the same way as 'a beef' is a large joint of the stuff. The term is extremely archaic, but nevertheless accurate. Besides, has no-one ever roasted you a Christmas ham? Now I have a house I might just have to do that, because it is very tasty and worth doing.

[aardvarkoffnord.livejournal.com]

People I know keep talking about this thing called "a life", but that doesn't make sense...

[diegoliger.livejournal.com]

a ham is a definate article....a ham is a great big lump of dry cured pig product. You can get a side of beef but not a beef. hmhm