Date:  Wed, 29 Nov 1995 08:54:37 -0500

From:  Wayne Glowka <wglowka[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]MAIL.GAC.PEACHNET.EDU>

Subject: Re: Heartburns



The plural (or whatever it is) of heartburn seems related to the similar

phenomenon in "cramps," "measles," "hives," "the dry heaves," "the runs,"

"scabbies," "the farts," "the shits," "hiccups/hiccoughs," "the Hershey

squirts," "mumps," and others I cannot think of. Surely, a bit of folk

etymology could make "rabies" out to be some kind of plural.



On occasion, I have joked and claimed that I had "the burps," "the gasses,"

and "the dribble pisses."





Wayne Glowka

Professor of English

Director of Research and Graduate Student Services

Georgia College

Milledgeville, GA 31061

912-453-4222

wglowka[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]mail.gac.peachnet.edu