Sunday, August 6, 2017

articles - Why neither "the" or "a" is used to identify a mug (see details below)?


Just noticed my coffee mug lid has text saying "See important warning on bottom of mug". Why it's not "bottom of the mug"? It is very specific mug this lid connected to, this is why I expect it to be "the mug". From other side if it is any other mug the lid fits it should be "a mug", shouldn't it?



How in this case I understand "the" or "a" is not needed?



Answer



This is an example of Headlinese "an abbreviated writing style used in newspaper headlines". Although this clearly isn't a headline, the types of abbreviations are similar, in particular articles are often omitted in headlinese. It is common when there is little space, or the writer wants to keep her text short as this will make a greater impact on the reader.


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