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Subject:Re: Usage question From:Fred M Jacobson <fred -at- BOOLE -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 30 Jun 1993 09:21:41 PDT
> ...
> I know that in everyday English a suite must consist of more than one
> room. Does anyone know if there is any justification for an exception
> in the case of a demo suite? Or is that phrase not a special item of jargon
> that has any impact, if only one room is involved, on "how suite it is"?
> Mark L. Levinson
Mark-
Of course, a suite is "a succession of related things intended to be used
together," so it should never be used to refer to just one room or other
"thing." I've noticed (and it bothers me) that offices in building are
often listed in addresses as "Suite 1100." I assume that is so I'll know
that the law firm, company, or other organization is big enough to have
more than one room. Maybe this is how "suite" has come to be applied to
demo rooms. After all, "demo suite" sounds so much more important than
"demo room."
(Always looking for an opportunity to put the comma or period inside
the closing quotation mark, I remain, your humble servant...)
-Fred
--
INTERNET: fred -at- boole -dot- com PHONE: (408) 524-3292 FAX: (408) 730-0558
USPS: Fred Jacobson / Boole & Babbage / 510 Oakmead Pkwy / Sunnyvale CA 94086
