--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, "Eric" <ewdysar@...> wrote:
>
> This topic is one of those places where using the right term will help keep people on topic.
>
The "right" term depends on your local usage of language, English or otherwise.
Generally, the term "narrow boat" over this side of the pond refers specifically to a sub-7ft beam canal boat. The term "narrowboat" isn't in common usage here (and even flags errors in British English spellcheckers!) with the exception of one magazine and our government waterways board (who also use other odd terms).
I agree that the term "narrow boat" could reasonably be expected to be the combination of an adjective and a noun, rather than a compound noun, but such are the vagaries of our complex (and more than slightly irrational) language.
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