Guess

[AngelicAssassin]

I really thought you just didn't want to understand it, but I start to think you really can't.

i agree; you don't understand. What you think is more than "a die" is irrelevant. That you insist dice can be singular is.

Whether "some authoritative sources (Krapp {quite appropriate}, 1927 and Evans, 1957)" deem dice as acceptable for both plural and singular use is irrelevant. Your source does not, nor does Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage here.

Wide use by lemmings that think ur appropriate ain't (pun intended) another meaning for correct, this isn't speech, and you've crapped out.

 

[MisterSir]

Oooookay. So after all that, what is the magic number?

Three.

 

[Primalex]

i agree; you don't understand. What you think is more than "a die" is irrelevant. That you insist dice can be singular is.

Whether "some authoritative sources (Krapp {quite appropriate}, 1927 and Evans, 1957)" deem dice as acceptable for both plural and singular use is irrelevant.

Of course they are irrelevant, because they don't agree with you, right?

Your source does not,

Again you try to cover your error up by proving that dice can be the plural, something which isn't questioned at all.

My source was:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dice

so stop faking.
And there is still written:
Dice
1 a : die


So, four sources, from 1927 till 2009 say that I'm right and YOUR source even says that is has been right since the 14th century. Of course, despite your effort to turn your blatant lack of knowledge into a battle which source shall be considered relevant, one fact remains: I merely need to have ONE source telling me that I'm right, because I only need to prove that it could mean it. But you need to prove that dice can never ever mean die, something you already failed completely, because even your sources agree with me. And..it gets even worse: Even if it's questionable, whether dice should be used singular or not, it remains that - questionable and not just plain wrong and if you had known what you know now, you wouldn't have opened your trap the way you did. So you didn't know it in the first place. One way or the other, I'm always winning.

 

[Primalex]

Oooookay. So after all that, what is the magic number?

Well, it was already mentioned here. It's 1.

 

[AngelicAssassin]

and YOUR source even says that is has been right since the 14th century.

In use doesn't mean correct cupcake. The literacy rate among the populace ran from 3% to roughly 25% in that period. That would make the vast majority of the population illiterate. What's your excuse?

one fact remains: I merely need to have ONE source telling me that I'm right, because I only need to prove that it could mean it.

Sorry, but ChaCha, "ur mobile BFF" doesn't count as a reputable source.

Even if it's questionable, whether dice should be used singular or not, it remains that - questionable and not just plain wrong

and i would so love to see you trot out that excuse in any written documentation for which you're paid.

One way or the other, I'm always winning.

Enjoy your departing gifts as you follow "ur mobile BFF" over the cliff.

All joking aside, i understand the relaxed atmosphere on this board lends itself to relaxed standards in the written word. When you bring up a rather sensitive and important topic, however, you might want to leave your jocularity at the door. i look forward to the eventual publishing of the work regardless of the barb play.