A Soldier is Not a Troop
When did the definition of the word “troop”change? A troop by definition, like squad, herd or gaggle, describes a plural unit — plural, people! It’s not that advanced a word! Three soldiers cannot be three troops anymore than three cows can be three herds, or three albatrosses be three flocks.
The misuse of the word troop is especially egregious on network news broadcasts. Excuse me, aren’t newscasters journalists by trade? And aren’t journalism students required to have more than a passing familiarity with basic English? Arg.
Good question. No, GREAT question. I’ve wondered the same thing myself. What is truly scary is that I heard it, questioned it (to myself) and then accepted that those who use it incorrectly must be right because they would be the ones to know better. I think my word for the day is “complacent”.
I am not a group.
Sandra