Re: Chinese-style measure words in English?

From: Peter T. Daniels (grammatim_at_worldnet.att.net)
Date: 12/28/04 

Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 14:18:17 GMT

semiretired@my-deja.com wrote:
>
> I can think of only two instances where I have
> heard Chinese-style Measure Words used in English
>
> The one is "head" as in "head of cattle"
>
> The other is "off". In a factory an order for parts
> was being given over the phone -
> "Bolts - 2 gross, Nuts - 9 dozen, Special Spanners - 2 off"
> Are there any other instances?

slice of bread, piece of cake

plus all the measure-words used for such individuating of mass nouns

Though I don't know what this "off" is. 

-- 
Peter T. Daniels                       grammatim@att.net