View Full Version : RBI vs RBIs
Ok, this might be the dullest QRZ topic ever, but at least it won't get me cursed at or threatened with a shovel.
This is really picky, but it still bugs me -- What do you think is the plural of RBI (run batted in)? When I was growing up, we had great local play-by-play announcers. They all said RBIs, while the NATIONAL announcers (who I could never stand) seemed to say RBI, as in "Slopkowski has 15 RBI on the season."
So maybe there's some personal prejudice on my part, but I always get bugged when some pretentious know-it-all wannabe uses "RBI" to denote multiple runs batted in. The argument given by these make-believe English Majors is that you wouldn't say "Run Batted Ins," so why say "RBIs?" Yet these same people would say "An RBI." Really? AN Run Batted In??
To me, a run batted in is an "are-bee-eye." Get two of them and you have TWO are-bee-eyes. It was like that for years until the pseudo-intellectuals got ahold of it.
Even the fathead local announcer who says the plural "RBI" forgets to be pretentious now and then and lets "RBIs" slip out. Whoops.
Any opinions (bearing in mind, of course, that I am RIGHT) on this matter? Let's kick this lame topic around a little while, THEN go back to Republican/Democrat, Liberal/Conservative, code/no-code bickering.
Over...?
K7JBQ
05-09-2005, 04:53 PM
Hmmm, since an acronym becomes its own "entity," grammatically, RBIs would be fine.
Analogy: One Attorney General. Two Attorneys General. But one AG, two AGs.
But, as Pope, you can do whatever you want.
73,
Bill
One of the assistant copy editors at QRZ.com
kf6rdn
05-09-2005, 05:03 PM
Quote[/b] (w3sy @ May 09 2005,09:48)]Ok, this might be the dullest QRZ topic ever, but at least it won't get me cursed at or threatened with a shovel.
Well, given the topic, I think threatening you with a shovel would be improper. As improper as an run brought in.
No, the proper implement of facial distortian would of course, be a baseball bat.
But I can understand your dilema. In soccer, we have a call called offside. You are offside. Or in an offside position. Some people very improperly call it "offsides".
It is like saying you are in fronts of me, I am behinds you.
Quote[/b] ]Some people very improperly call it "offsides".
It is like saying you are in fronts of me, I am behinds you.
... which is ok if your name is Gollum....
WA5KRP
05-09-2005, 05:22 PM
Try using ribby/ribbies. Maybe that'll get you over the hump.
Don't you have bigger fish to fry?
WA5KRP
Texas
kf6rdn
05-09-2005, 05:25 PM
Quote[/b] (w3sy @ May 09 2005,10:08)]... which is ok if your name is Gollum....
And, my preeeciiouss, whatss in your pocketsies?
W5MJL
05-09-2005, 05:29 PM
An RBI is an acronym for Run Batted In. It's not one for Runs batted in.
Therefore RBI's is the correct term. It could never be just plain RBI, unless he had only 1.
KG4CGC
05-09-2005, 05:32 PM
I love ribs. Rarely do I ever eat just one rib. Most of the time they come as a "rack" with all the bones attached by the rib(s) meat.I suppose if I were a tall blonde anorexic I might just eat a single rib but considering that dyslexia is my problem I just post stupider and stupider.
Thank You Emily Latella.
wd5kca
05-09-2005, 06:51 PM
I think is should be RsBI!
kf6rdn
05-09-2005, 07:03 PM
Quote[/b] (wd5kca @ May 09 2005,11:51)]I think is should be RsBI!
RSB - Rupper Side Band,
Signed,
Rooby Roo
K9STH
05-09-2005, 07:11 PM
FAP:
The plural would be RBIs and not RBI's. Use of the ' signifies posession and not plural. I don't know what might belong to an RBI, but I guess something could. Maybe the player who made the RBI. But, normally, I would consider the RBI belonging to the player and not vice-versa.
Glen, K9STH
W5MJL
05-09-2005, 08:09 PM
Glenn, when using an acronym it is standard to add an apostrophe. #You will see this everywhere.
CPA'S NOT cpas
MD'S NOT MDS
The point of the apostrophe is to keep the acronym separated so as not to be confused with something else.
K9STH
05-09-2005, 08:51 PM
It may be "accepted" these days, but I know that I have several English teacher "spinning in their graves"!
Most acronyms are in capitals (i.e. CPA) although present usage has resulted in them being expressed in lower case. Therefore if the plural of CPA is expressed as CPAs there is no confusion. I do agree that cpa if expressed as cpas definitely "looks funny" and that cpa's might be better recongnized. But, acronyms are normally supposed to be expressed in capitals.
I also recognize that certain acronyms have become accepted as words such as RADAR and SONAR are now often spelled as radar and sonar. In those cases you do not usually see the plural as radar's or sonar's but radars and sonars. Thus, the "rule" of using just the s and not 's is violated if you consider the "modern" usage to be proper.
The result is that I still use all capitals for acronyms and do not put the ' when indicating plural. Also, Microsoft Word, which even recognizes a number of properly spelled words (although relatively uncommon in use) as being misspelled, recognizes CPAs, for example, as being the correct spelling for multiple persons holding CPA authorizations.
Try putting the following sentences into Microsoft Word and see what the program indicates:
There were three CPAs present for the meeting.
and
There were three CPA's present for the meeting.
You will see that there are no errors present in the first sentence. But, with the second sentence you will see a green underline for the words "were three CPA's present". A green underline indicates that the words are spelled correctly but that they are not in proper syntax. This means that CPA's is not used properly.
If you type in the sentence "The CPA's letter was mailed." you will again get no errors.
If you put "cpa" in lower case in any of these sentences you will find that it is underlined in red indicating a misspelled word.
At least those who "wrote" Microsoft Word agree with my way of thinking and my English teachers (and college professors as well) are not "spinning in their graves" or wringing their hands in agony for those who are still with us.
Glen, K9STH
KG4CGC
05-09-2005, 08:53 PM
Don't forget SCUBA! Could it be SCUBAs?
doubt it.
K7JBQ
05-09-2005, 09:02 PM
Quote[/b] (KG4CGC @ May 09 2005,13:53)]Don't forget SCUBA! Could it be SCUBAs?
# doubt it.
Why not?
We have FIATs and SAABs.
Yep, both acronyms.
73,
Bill
FIAT = acronym for Fix It Again, Tony!
KRP -- Bigger fish to fry? Sure, but I don't bring up those issues on a ham Discussion Forum. This is for mindless chatter. You know, stuff like RBIs. Right? RIGHT?
Sorry dood -- I'll try to solve the world's problems on my NEXT post. Jesus! # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
R'sBI... heh... Got a chuckle out of that. I'm surprised the announcer in question hasn't alread tried that one. He definitely thinks he's the Language Police. He calls a chest-high pitch a "letters high fastball," whereas the rest of the world has always called that a "letter high fastball." Please.
RBIs (I'll accept RBI's too) will always get my vote. I don't NEED to get an English Lesson during my ball game.
k0ews
05-09-2005, 09:20 PM
I like to call them RBIs and like KRP, refer to them as Ribbis when in plural sometimes.
Steve, what's wrong with your Orioles? They're playing GREAT! Who could have seen that coming? Maybe it's because they're not the only team in the area anymore? And how about those White Sox? You know, the last time the O's won the series they played the White Sox in the LCS that year (1983) Perhaps it will happen again?
Not sure what's up with the schmO's. Of course, yesterday they got spanked by the great KC Royals, so they still are MORE than able to suck. Still, it's a MUCH better team, all around, this year.
But it's only early May.
Also helps that the Yank-its are having some severe problems and the Red Sawx have been kinda banged up.
I'd be happy just to have some games in late August that I care about.
If the Orioles face the White Sox on the ALCS, make sure the Chisox bring those hideous 1983 uniforms with them. Haw!!
W5MJL
05-09-2005, 11:01 PM
Hey Glenn, try this in your microsoft word.
The following is a list of CPA's.
He had many RBI's this year.
He had many RBI'S this year.
He had many RBIS this year.
So now who knows what is right. #I think microsoft word doesn't mess with anything that is in all caps. #I don't think it has a thing to do with grammar.
K7JBQ
05-09-2005, 11:14 PM
Alas, Glen is correct.
Writers love to use apostrophes that way, but that's why copy editors whack 'em on the knuckles with pica poles.
73,
Bill
K9STH
05-10-2005, 12:25 AM
JBQ:
Just like a nun in Catholic school and her ruler!
And, I went to public school, but had lots of friends who went to Catholic school.
Glen, K9STH
KF0RT
05-10-2005, 12:31 AM
How about email vs. emails? Old school: I got a pile of email. New school: I got a pile of emails. There's actually a term for this, proper English and all, but I don't remember it and am too lazy to look it up.
73, Rob (and I hate emails)
K9STH
05-10-2005, 12:59 AM
How about E-mail and e-mail to go along with email and emails? I have seen so many different ways of abbreviating electronic mail that I don't really have any idea as to what is correct!
Also, there are those words that are the same spelling for both singular and plural (like deer, shrimp, etc.).
Glen, K9STH
KF0RT
05-10-2005, 01:44 AM
Quote[/b] (K9STH @ May 09 2005,18:59)]How about E-mail and e-mail to go along with email and emails? I have seen so many different ways of abbreviating electronic mail that I don't really have any idea as to what is correct!
Also, there are those words that are the same spelling for both singular and plural (like deer, shrimp, etc.).
Glen, K9STH
Oh, believe me... to some, two deer is two deers. I have no idea why this bugs me, but it does. Just sounds wrong somehow.
The same spelling for both singular and plural is exactly what I'm talking about. What DO they call that?
The wonders of language evolution.
73, Rob
KG4CGC
05-10-2005, 02:04 AM
regardless irregardless
One is a word one is misused as a word. In plain speech both are suppose to mean the same thing. I suppose irregardless would be a double negative if it were to mean the same thing but is not a word and is misused to mean, regardless.
How about "I could care less" versus "I COULDN'T care less?"
COULDN'T makes sense.... The other way doesn't quite work.
k0ews
05-10-2005, 11:10 PM
My personal favorite..."irregardless" Like when someone says "Irregardless of the promising start, I think the Orioles will finish 4th this year." The proper world should be "regardless"
BTW, I think the O's will finish higher than 4th. They beat up on the Twins last night pretty good.
Quote[/b] (w3sy @ May 09 2005,13:29)]Not sure what's up with the schmO's. Of course, yesterday they got spanked by the great KC Royals, so they still are MORE than able to suck. Still, it's a MUCH better team, all around, this year.
But it's only early May.
Also helps that the Yank-its are having some severe problems and the Red Sawx have been kinda banged up.
I'd be happy just to have some games in late August that I care about.
If the Orioles face the White Sox on the ALCS, make sure the Chisox bring those hideous 1983 uniforms with them. Haw!!
SY Steve.
The Gigantes have Jon Miller...
Want him back? He's boring...Just as he was when he started with the A's in the 70's, only fatter now...Why is he considered a "great" announcer?
Dave WX7B
N8CPA
05-11-2005, 06:39 PM
And here's CPA's contribution (Note both a contractive and a possessive apostrophe).
According to the Modern Language Association's "Handbook for Writers of Research Papers," 1988; page 39: "...use apostrophes to form the plural of letters (p's and q's; A's, B's, C's), but do not use them in the plurals of abbreviations or numbers (PhDs, MAs, VCRs, IRAs, 1990s, fours, SATs in the 700s)."
RBIs is thus correct.
Email vs emails is a little trickier, because email can refer to a single message, or the generic medium through which it is delivered. Compare it to "fish." It can be singular or plural. But if you catch 14 bluegill and 3 perch, you have 17 fish but only two fishes.
I think "regardless" gets mixed up with "irrespective," which means more or less the same thing, to yield "irregardless." And that is another eye-roller for me.
K9STH
05-11-2005, 06:51 PM
CPA:
Thank you!
Now I can go back to writing and editing things just like my English teachers and college professors taught me!
Glen, K9STH
W5MJL
05-11-2005, 11:24 PM
Thi's seem's to indicate that I have incorrectly used apostrophe's. Not just on RBI's, but CPA's, and MD's. My education continue's. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
KF0RT
05-11-2005, 11:32 PM
Quote[/b] (N8CPA @ May 11 2005,12:39)]And here's CPA's contribution (Note both a contractive and a possessive apostrophe).
According to the Modern Language Association's "Handbook for Writers of Research Papers," 1988; page 39: "...use apostrophes to form the plural of letters (p's and q's; A's, B's, C's), but do not use them in the plurals of abbreviations or numbers (PhDs, MAs, VCRs, IRAs, 1990s, fours, SATs in the 700s)."
RBIs is thus correct.
Email vs emails is a little trickier, because email can refer to a single message, or the generic medium through which it is delivered. Compare it to "fish." It can be singular or plural. But if you catch 14 bluegill and 3 perch, you have 17 fish but only two fishes.
I think "regardless" gets mixed up with "irrespective," which means more or less the same thing, to yield "irregardless." And that is another eye-roller for me.
"And so you see, son, that's how N8CPA became known as QRZ's Mr. Language Person."
Thanks, Steve!
73, Rob
KA4DPO
05-12-2005, 12:16 AM
Quote[/b] (KF0RT @ May 11 2005,16:32)]Quote[/b] (N8CPA @ May 11 2005,12:39)]And here's CPA's contribution (Note both a contractive and a possessive apostrophe).
According to the Modern Language Association's "Handbook for Writers of Research Papers," 1988; page 39: "...use apostrophes to form the plural of letters (p's and q's; A's, B's, C's), but do not use them in the plurals of abbreviations or numbers (PhDs, MAs, VCRs, IRAs, 1990s, fours, SATs in the 700s)."
RBIs is thus correct.
Email vs emails is a little trickier, because email can refer to a single message, or the generic medium through which it is delivered. Compare it to "fish." It can be singular or plural. But if you catch 14 bluegill and 3 perch, you have 17 fish but only two fishes.
I think "regardless" gets mixed up with "irrespective," which means more or less the same thing, to yield "irregardless." #And that is another eye-roller for me.
"And so you see, son, that's how N8CPA became known as QRZ's Mr. Language Person."
Thanks, Steve!
73, Rob
Golly, I usta could remember them plurals and sigulars but now it seems singular is a phone company.
I don't like email either Rob, but I also don't care much for cell phones, satellite radio, and BPL for what it's worth.
KF0RT
05-12-2005, 12:34 AM
I get about 40 pieces of email a day at work (note the careful use of non-plurals). Got no problem with email, but the vast majority of it is spam for products that I have no dangling participle use for.
Oops. Have a cellphone (rarely used, but sometimes handy) and XM radio in my '91 Nissan. I can see that "paring down" may be in my future. I used to listen to XM all the time at work (just carry the little receiver inside), but don't spend as much time in the office with the window these days, so no access to the sky for my second antenna.
73, Rob
KA4DPO
05-12-2005, 12:58 AM
I did the same thing. #I bought an XM and used it a lot but just don't much anymore. #I guess the novelty wore off. #I also have a cell out of necessity but don't use it unless I need it. #My wife and daughter more than make up for my lack of use. #I don't like getting called in the car, it bothers me when I see people weaving all over with a cell phone glued to their heads.
Another thing is the useless camera on it that takes crummy little pictures. #I never use that either but you can bet Sprint charges me for that worthless feature.
I'm gonna go see if 40 is open. If you get this in the next 30 minutes or so, check for me on 7.208..
AB8TM
05-12-2005, 05:05 AM
i gotta check my SWRs.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
kb2vxa
05-13-2005, 05:07 AM
Hi guys,
I'm about to bail out on the second page, you're far too pedantic.
"I think is should be RsBI!"
I was thinking that but although I always got high marks in English the teachers never dealt with acronyms very much and never baseball terms. The announcers these days barely speak English, Madden is maddening and must be the worst since Yogi Berra but at least he's funny, Berra that is. Before the decline the acronym was used as the singular and the plural was not an acronym so I rather figure that RBIs is a bastardization.
Glen has it right so pay attention in class kiddies. Then the next guy wrote "Don't forget SCUBA! Could it be SCUBAs? doubt it." and I doubt it too. SCUBA stands for self contained underwater breathing aparatus, not aparatuses which isn't even a word. Aparati? (;->) FYI, "aparatus" is one of those uncommon uniplural nouns. Now if those Feminazis would get it through their fuzzy logic circuits that Man is one also maybe they'd stop trying to unisex the language!