Normality vs Normalcy

Andrew Patterson · Post by **Andrew Patterson** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 12:15 pm

In the UK, "normalcy" is not used but I hear both from Americans. Is there any difference in meaning?

JuanTwoThree · Post by **JuanTwoThree** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 8:28 pm

www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19990625

Andrew Patterson · Post by **Andrew Patterson** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 9:47 pm

Thanks, Juan. Any Americans or Canadians want to comment?

I've had a look round and I can't find any instance of "normacy" used instead of "normality" in its chemical sense, that is (at least in acid-base reactions):

The number of equivalents of solute per litre of solution, where one equivelent of an acid is that amount of an acid that will furnish one mole of hydrogen ions (or react with one mole of hydroxide ions.)

Thus one mol/L of Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is Normality 1 or (normal) but 1 mol/L of Sulphuric acid (H2SO4) is Normality 2 (or 2 normal.) If you want normal sulphuric acid, you need a 0.5 molar solution.

Has anyone ever heard anyone ask, "What is the normacy of this solution?"?

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 6:26 pm

http://www.onelook.com/?w=normalcy&ls=a

http://www.onelook.com/?w=normality&ls=a

Andrew Patterson · Post by **Andrew Patterson** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 6:56 pm

Thank you Richard, do you use "normalcy"?

It seems that "abnormality" is more common than "normality" (or at least talking about it) if we judge by google hits. "Abnormalcy", on the other hand is quite rare:
"abnormality" 3,700,000 pages
"normality" 2,470,000 pages
"normalcy" 1,610,000 pages
"abnormalcy "12,900 pages

There are actually a number of pairs like "normality" and "normalcy" does anyone see any distinction in the following:

Educational vs Educative
Social vs Societal

Anyone know any similar pairs?

wjserson · Post by **wjserson** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 1:20 pm

Well, in my opinion, social and societal differ in their application (and precise definition): social seems to be used for both individuals and society as a whole, wheras societal seems to be used for the latter. You wouldn't often hear "He had societal problems growing up".

The educate vs educative comparison is a little weird simply because I'm unable to find 'educative' in any dictionary. But I've heard it used before: usually referring to something that actually educates, whereas educational can refer to education in a broader perspective.

So each comparison seems to result in one being more versatile.