Penny-Wise - Pound-Foolish

[CajunCenturion]

I just used the phrase "penny-wise and pound-foolish" in another post and I didn't know if hyphonating was correct or not, or are pennywise and poundfoolish single words or not.

Can and UK Grammarians shed some light?

Good Luck
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As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[ramani]

Hi

I am not from UK. But I have read this in my school days. I use this statement often. The way I have been taught is
"penny wise and pound foolish" without hyphonation. It makes sense as a sentense to me.



____________________________________________
ramani - (Subramanian.G)

http://winnersoft.coolfreepages.com/

 

[strongm]

Hyphenation seems fine. The general rule seems to be that once a hyphenated phrase comes into common enough usage the hyphen(s) can be dropped. The difficulty as far as I can see is figuring out whether a phrase is common enough yet...

 

[AnanthaP]

Hyphonation or hyphenation?

End

 

[strongm]

I know where I'd put my money...

 

[CajunCenturion]

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[ramani]

Oh ho.. Cajun.. I looked at your spelling and put that when I was doubting. Learns me I should not blindly follow the people I admire when I doubt...

____________________________________________
ramani - (Subramanian.G)

http://winnersoft.coolfreepages.com/