There seems to be a change of usage in progress whereby 'goods' is being
replaced by 'good'.
SOED p. 1125 gives:
3 (property and possessions) Now only in pl.
4 In pl. (commodities etc).
The use of 'now only' in definition 3 suggests earlier use of the
singular?
The following is from BBC News:
"As such, healthcare in Britain is considered a social right rather than a
consumer good or something to be 'earned'."
In this instance, and in several others heard in recent times, the
singular
'good' is used.
Does anyone have any ideas on why this may be happening?
I have checked with the OED on-line and even the draft additions for 2007
do not
suggest using the singular in this way.
--
Blue Sow
