really confused

chideltjen · #1 03-25-2004, 04:18 PM

Ok I tried searching for this and i am not having any luck. I know there was a conversation about it somewhere, but I can't find it. So mods, if you want to PM me my answer and then delete the post, fine with me.

Anyway...

am I an alumnae or an alumna?

I have seen these words interchanged and I can't figure out which was in singular and which is plural. I know, it's dumb... but I come from a sorority that calls me an alumni so I am trying to get it cleared up. thanks!

navane · #2 03-25-2004, 04:23 PM

Alumna - singular, female

Alumnae - plural, female

Alumnus - male, singular

Alumni - male, plural AND also used when referring to a mixed gender group

"Alum"/"Alums" - is just an abbreviated way of referring to one of the above. They are not actual words.

YOU are an alumna.

Hopes this helps!

.....Kelly

adpiucf · #3 03-25-2004, 04:24 PM

Here's a trick I learned at an alum meeting.

The men can't keep their "eyes" off the ladies' "knees."

Men= Alumni (eyes!)
Women = Alumnae (knees!)

AZ-AlphaXi · #4 03-25-2004, 04:24 PM

Here's what I've always been told...

alumni is all male (or mixed male and female) plural
alumnus is male singular
alumna is female singluar
alumnae is female plural

chideltjen · #5 03-25-2004, 04:29 PM

YAY. Thank you!

of course now i have to change our website...

(I have an alumna section.)

Tom Earp · #6 03-25-2004, 05:55 PM

Jeeze, I am an ALUM, keeps all of the Hair out of the Soup!

God, women are so hard to understand and get along with!

Oh, please dont call that a section, reminds me of, oh, never mind!

How Does Area Sound?

chideltjen · #7 03-25-2004, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom Earp
Jeeze, I am an ALUM, keeps all of the Hair out of the Soup!

God, women are so hard to understand and get along with!

Oh, please dont call that a section, reminds me of, oh, never mind!

How Does Area Sound?

LOL... i totally get it. my bad. thanks tom

Sistermadly · #8 03-25-2004, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by adpiucf
Here's a trick I learned at an alum meeting.

The men can't keep their "eyes" off the ladies' "knees."

That is beyond cute (and very useful!)

MooseGirl · #9 03-26-2004, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by adpiucf
Here's a trick I learned at an alum meeting.

The men can't keep their "eyes" off the ladies' "knees."

Men= Alumni (eyes!)
Women = Alumnae (knees!)

lol.
I actually pronounce them the other way - prolly cuz I took Latin for a couple years and that's how it's pronounced in that language...

Tom Earp · #10 03-26-2004, 05:02 PM

chideltjen, If I was Sir Thomas, I would be more than happy to throw my Cape over a puddle of water so you would not get your feet damp!

Alas poor Tess, without your Heart, I am nothing and cannot go on living!

Boodleboy322 · #11 04-11-2004, 08:17 PM

We refer to ourselves as Alumnus because we're an all male group. See our license plate at the link below.

http://www.cafeshops.com/sinfonianalumni.5714430

~Boodleboy322