You may recall the exchange about the spelling ’hobbys’
in which a couple of other people were quite interested. I had a nagging
doubt about it and did a bit of a Google and was amazed to find that Julian’s
labelling in FLIKR of a Canberra pic ‘Australian Hobbys’ is
practically the world authority for how you spell ‘Australian Hobby, two
or more of’. This is no doubt being followed in all the best books
and journals. The question is tied up with whether you should say ‘I
saw two Hobbys (or Hobbies)’ or ‘I saw two hobbies’, which,
as it turns out is a much more difficult question.
The attached note is the result of further research and thought
on the subject. BE WARNED - do not look at this unless you
are interested in words and language.
You might think I am mad for having written 5 pages on the
subject. As evidence to the contrary I might mention that I once turned
up for a COG walk where it was pouring rain with mud everywhere. A lot of
people went on it but not me.
