Why is it called toothpaste instead of teethpaste?
By gewcew23
@gewcew23 (8007)
United States
June 28, 2007 5:30pm CST
The other day, we ran out of toothpaste. Just like most of you I ran to Wal-Mart to buy some more toothpaste. I went to the aisle with all the mouth care products, and trust me they have got toothpaste for everything. So I was standing there looking at all the different toothpaste, because me and my husband don't have a specific brand. Most of the time we use crest, but we have tried other brands. We also like to try different products within a brand, just to see what kind of results we get. So I reached for the box that I was going to buy and then it dawned on me it's called TOOTHPASTE. Now I know everyone is thinking I have gone off my rocker, but think about it. The name toothpaste implies that you are putting paste on a single tooth. Shouldn't it be called TEETHPASTE? I mean when you go to brush, don't you say I am brushing my teeth. You never say I am brushing my tooth, well unless you only have one tooth and then this discussion isn't for you :) So if anyone can help me out I would appreciate it. Why is it called toothpaste instead of teethpaste?
2 people like this
10 responses
@pinklilly (3443)
• Australia
28 Jun 07
hahahahahaha you have made me laugh... I have had moments like that...
One of the many wonders of the engligh language, why tooth instead of teeth....
Maybe because tooth sounds better than teeth but than we have grown up acustom to tooth paste, rather than teeth paste(which does sound funny but more appropriate)..... maybe also because you should be taking extra care to brush each and every one of your teeth individualy??(hence tooth)???
haha You have opened up a can of worms I am interested why too now and would like to see a good answer....:D
3 people like this
@bestfriends (876)
• Australia
28 Jun 07
I say you are brilliant to come up with this question! You are very particular with the English grammar. I don't know why either. Probably because toothpaste sounds better and that we are already accustomed to it?
3 people like this
@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
29 Jun 07
If I would say to my Dad, "I'm going to get my hair cut." He would invariably say, "Which one?" Same diff. LOL.
Do you use nail polish to make the nails in your household woodwork look shiny? Do you use it to repair your nylons? Why don't they call it nylon polish?
2 people like this
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
29 Jun 07
Hahahahaha
I guess because you are supposed to focus on one tooth at a time as you brush. I have no clue, but it is something to think about. ;P
2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
29 Jun 07
Maybe the person that created "toothpaste" only had one tooth
to brush? HAHAHA! Here's another for you to ponder over awhile.....
Why do we "park" in a driveway yet "drive" on a parkway? Why is their braille on the drive up windows at my bank? On the drivers side of all things. HAHAHAHA!!
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
