Subject: Re: [HM] "maths" in lieu of "math"
From: John Harper (John.Harper@MCS.VUW.AC.NZ)
Date: Tue Mar 28 2000 - 16:46:29 EST
A colleague has pointed out that I do have access to OED on-line: this
university has merely changed its method of access. OED's first recorded
usages are 1890 for "math" and 1911 for "maths". It also says "Math. is
used as an abbreviation in written English in the U.K. but not in speech,
the normal form being Maths." So much for the common presumption that
they come from opposite sides of the Atlantic.
Don't tell your non-mathematical friends that "math" can also mean a Hindu
convent of celibate mendicants.
John Harper, School of Mathematical and Computing Sciences,
Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand
e-mail john.harper@vuw.ac.nz phone (+64)(4)463 5341 fax (+64)(4)463 5045
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b28 : Tue Mar 28 2000 - 18:19:20 EST