YALP -- Yet Another Language Poll

[gnomi]

On this day of awful weather, a -ful related poll:

[Poll #500436]

Comments

[arib.livejournal.com]

I use both handfulls and handsfull at different times, but I can't quite codify rules for when I switch.

[csbermack.livejournal.com]

I have two hands full, but I'm carrying two handfuls. I think because pluralizing something in the middle of the word isn't ok - and I keep having to remind myself to pluralize things in the middle of a phrase, like Attorneys General.

But now all of these look misspelled and somehow wrong.

[cellio]

The first forms come more naturally but the second ones feel more correct in some sense. (But I've gotten strange looks the few times I've used them.) I think English is just plain inconsistent here bacause, for example, it's "sisters-in-law", not "sister-in-laws".

[mamadeb.livejournal.com]

I would use "spoonfuls" for anything else but sugar added to coffee or tea. For that, I use "sugars".

[stakebait.livejournal.com]

My rule of thumb is if it's a single word, the plural goes at the end of the word. If it's two words, the plural goes on the noun. So I've got two spoonfuls of sugar, but I've got my hands full of cups of coffee.

[farwing.livejournal.com]

well now I'm just confused...

[beowabbit]

I consider "spoonfuls" and "handfuls" correct, but I consider "spoonsful" and "handsful" geeky and whimsical, and would be likely to use them, just as (back in the late '80s) I argued that the plural of Macintosh should be Macsintosh, just like mothers-in-law.

[woodwardiocom.livejournal.com]

geeky and whimsical

-Or how the plural of "mongoose" is "polygoose".

[zsero.livejournal.com]

In the first example, I'd say I had added two spoons, which actually isn't at all what I'd done. In the second example, I'd say handsful, but I think most people I know would say handfuls.

[chanaleh.livejournal.com]

Mmm, handfuls of jellybeans. :-)

[doeeyedbunny.livejournal.com]

You really like jellybeans. There's a big jar of them on the table. So you reach in once with each hand. You now have...

too many jellybeans.

[cicirossi.livejournal.com]

no no... stained hands