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StoneyB

22:01

@tchrist Thanks. I've been waiting for that 3d downvote since last night.

tchrist

whistles nonchalantly

StoneyB

22:26

Hmm...

Q: Is "scuff" an adjective in this sentence?

I have found this sentence as an "example" for the "scuff" as a verb in the Cambridge dictionary. Do you have anything for getting rid of scuff marks on shoes?

grammar

Is there any parallel for understanding the attributive scuff in scuff marks as the plain/infinitive form of the verb rather than as a derived noun?

Damkerng T.

I still wouldn't want to believe that that scuff is a verb!

tchrist

Sure it is.

You can scuff your shoes.

But it started as a noun.

StoneyB

Or your feet

Damkerng T.

I meant the scuff in scuff marks.

tchrist

That one is a noun.

Oh maybe the verb came first.

Damkerng T.

22:34

@StoneyB I think scratch marks is similar.

tchrist

> scuff /skʌf/, v.
Also 6 scuffe, 7, 9 skuff.

Etymology: Of uncertain and possibly mixed origin; perh. connected with scruff, scurf vbs.; possibly in part of onomatopœic origin (cf. quot. 1825 in scuff sb.1 2, and the Sc. dial. phrase ‘to go scuff’, to fly past with a whizzing noise). With sense 4 cf. cuff v.; with sense 3 b cf. scuffle, shuffle vbs.

StoneyB

I just wanted to make sure bare infinitives are not employed as attributives. CGEL doesn't list that as a possibility at 5.14.2, butcha never know.