Why Fish & Chip Shop, but not Fish & Chips Shop?

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chriscurwen
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Why Fish & Chip Shop, but not Fish & Chips Shop?

Post by chriscurwen » Mon Jul 11, 2011 5:01 pm

Hi,

Does anyone have any idea why we say 'Fish & Chip Shop' but not 'Fish & Chips Shop'?

We buy Fish & Chips from a shop, so why do we drop the 's' and just say 'Fish & Chip Shop'?

Thanks,

Chris Curwen

mesmark
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Post by mesmark » Tue Jul 12, 2011 12:25 pm

When a noun is used as an adjective, we use the singular form:

book store
pet shop
pencil case
coin purse
letter carrier
...

Grover
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Okay Over Here

Post by Grover » Sat Nov 10, 2012 12:54 am

I'm guessing that's British English you are talking about old chap. On this side of the pond we can indeed say "Fish & Chips Shop." I suppose it's the sibilance that makes it possible. Likewise we would say "The Simpsons Show." In both cases the adjectival part is taken as a single, unbreakable piece, the first one being a menu item the second one being the title of a program.

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