Is "Men Socks" correct?

Question

Just would like to know if saying "Men Socks" is correct?

It needs to mean "socks for men". By searching on google I could see that men's socks is more used.

If you speak portuguese, I was translating "meias masculinas" to English when I got this doubt.

If you meant "man socks", then maybe, yes. "Men socks" would certainly not be it. However, "man socks" could more likely imply socks as a verb! Doesn't masculinas translate to male(s) rather than men? — Kris, Jan 14 '12 at 08:04

Daniel · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-13T19:53:36.860

4

Men socks is not correct in this context because men is not popularly an adjective (men as an adjective has a different connotation, is much rarer, and is very informal). The adjective which should replace men here is men's, as in men's socks.

edited Jan 13 '12 at 19:53

answered Jan 13 '12 at 17:48

Daniel

57,547

2

Men can function as an adjective, as can any noun. Do you not retire to your man cave when you go home (assuming you're male and understand men things like that)? – Robusto Jan 13 '12 at 19:52

Silverfish · Answer 2 · 2012-01-13T17:56:29.733

3

"Men's socks" is the usual expression for socks for men. I don't think I've ever heard men socks as a term. Men socks would seem to be the wrong term (or a very obscure term) in British English at least. It isn't that it means something other than "socks for men", but that it isn't used at all, although if I heard someone say "men socks" I would assume they meant "men's socks".

edited Jan 13 '12 at 17:56

answered Jan 13 '12 at 17:41

Silverfish

161

but is it correct and have the same meaning ? – ix35 Jan 13 '12 at 17:43
You need a possessive construction, so either "men's socks" or "socks for men". – Monica Cellio Jan 13 '12 at 17:49
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There is a... fad? Well, something like that, in Britain for saying "Man X" to represent something only men would have/use/get, e.g. men can get man-flu', drink man drinks, have man food, etc. I think it's just a shortening of manly that may well go out of fashion. – Matt E. Эллен Jan 13 '12 at 18:09
@Matt Эллен: manly boobs? I think not! :) – FumbleFingers Jan 13 '12 at 18:56
"Man purse" has somewhat-established usage. (At the link, ignore older "man's purse" refs) – James Waldby - jwpat7 Jan 13 '12 at 18:58
@FumbleFingers you make a good point. I think I've blanked moobs from my mind :D – Matt E. Эллен Jan 13 '12 at 20:08
@Matt Эллен: I firmly believe all righteous-minded people, male or female, should blank moobs from their minds (with any luck, this comment will self-destruct as soon as you've read it! :) – FumbleFingers Jan 13 '12 at 20:16

Is "Men Socks" correct?

2 Answers2