Let us start by breaking down the term. E-mail is derived from two words, electronic mail which were shortened to form one hyphenated word. This is evident from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary definition "a means or system for transmitting messages electronically (as between computers on a network)
This said, let us look at the second word that makes up the hyphenated word, mail. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines mail as "material sent or carried in the postal system ... a conveyance that transports mail." (*2)
The word mail is already plural. "I received my mail" could mean I received 1 piece of mail or twenty pieces of mail. Why do we insist on saying "I recieved my e-mails"? If the word mail is both singular and plural, why would e-mail be any different? Yet we naturally accept it's use in our language. In fact, some online dictionaries such as Answers.com include e-mails as the plural form of the word. (*3)
If you want to make the statement that you received more than 1 e-mail, the proper use would be that you received multiple e-mail messages. Just like letters received through the mail, or letters received as mail, the e-mail system delivers messages. You could state "I received 20 e-mail messages today." Next time you catch yourself using this term incorrectly, think about my skin crawiling, or maybe just correct your usage.
*1. "e-mail." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2008.
Merriam-Webster Online. 29 August 2008
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/e-mail
*2. "mail." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2008.
Merriam-Webster Online. 29 August 2008
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mail
*3. "e-mail." Answers.com 2008.
Answers.com. 29 August 2008
http://www.answers.com/topic/e-mail
1 comment:
What if I use it for the simple fact that it drives you nuts!
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