Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.This list was compiled by Simon Thomas of Oxford Dictionaries, who is on Twitter as @stuck_inabook. It's a lovely collection of language quirks, into which you will notice I have squeezed rather more than 10 examples…
1. Trousers
There was once a singular trouse. Other similar garments are also plural: pants, shorts, leggings, jeans, flares, tights, overalls and dungarees.
2. Clothes
To quote the Oxford English Dictionary, "a collective plural without a singular; to express the latter, a phrase such as 'article of clothing' is used".
3. Cahoots
Origin uncertain, but a link has been suggested with the French cahute – hut, shack.
4. Shenanigans
The singular shenanigan is found in the letters of Mark Twain, but it has fallen out of use almost completely.
5. Glasses
The same is true of binoculars, spectacles and goggles.
6. Loggerheads
May relate to a late 17th-century use meaning "long-handled iron instrument for heating liquids and tar", when wielded as a weapon.
7. Scissors
The singular scissor is mostly a verb. Many other two-bladed tools are also plural: pliers, forceps, shears, tweezers and tongs.
8. Amends
You might make amends by paying damages; while damage is a common mass noun, the sense of "a sum of money in compensation for a loss or injury" is now only plural.
9. Smithereens
10. Thanks
Although the verb thank is common, you wouldn't give somebody a single thank – although examples are found as late as the 19th century.
Next week: Towns everyone's heard of but can't place on a map
Coming soon: Songs whose titles are only in the final words (such as 'Up the Junction' by Squeeze). Send your suggestions, and ideas for future Top 10s, to top10@independent.co.uk
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments