| 词组 | trivia |
| 释义 | trivia Trivia is much like data—an English word that has the form of the Latin plural that is its source but that is used as both a plural and a singular noun. The Latin singular trivium means literally "crossroads." The process by which the plural form trivia has acquired the English sense "unimportant facts or matters" is somewhat obscure, but there is no doubt that association with trivial has played a large part in it {trivial is derived from the Latin trivialis, meaning "commonplace"). Trivia was first used in this sense in the early 20th century: • ... induces them to publish trivia of a peculiarly ephemeral character —N.Y. Times, 26 Dec. 1927 Such usage drew some early criticism on etymological grounds, but the small controversy concerning it never caught on.among usage commentators. Follett 1966 lists resistance to the "trifles" sense of trivia as a "lost cause." A more persistent issue has been the use of trivia as a singular mass noun, as in "all this trivia" rather than "all these trivia." Commentators who regard the singular use of trivia as unacceptable include Bernstein 1965, Bryson 1984, and Barzun 1985. Our evidence shows, however, that the singular and plural uses of trivia are about equally common in reputable writing: • ... such trivia comes as a welcome diversion —Trevor Armbrister, Saturday Evening Post, 12 Feb. 1966 • This is trivia, however —Times Literary Supp., 3 Mar. 1966 • ... took careful notes on all this zany trivia —William V. Bower, N.Y. Times Book Rev., 14 Sept. 1975 • ... as much trouble with the trivia of the past as with those of the present —Lois E. Bueler, Saturday Rev., 30 Oct. 1971 • Trivia go alongside gloom in Cukor's book —Punch, 23 Dec. 1975 • ... even the trivia in his life deserve our attention — Robert Sherrill, N. Y. Times Book Rev., 13 May 1979 Current dictionaries recognize that the singular use of trivia is now standard. For other foreign plurals used as singulars, see Latin plurals. |
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