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QuestionOther Subjects
Why is "wristwatch" one word but "pocket watch" two?
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Step 1: Understand the question
The question is asking why "wristwatch" is one word, while "pocket watch" is two. To answer this, we need to consider the etymology and history of these terms.
Step 2: Examine the etymology of "wristwatch"
According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, "wristwatch" originated in the early 20th century as a compound of "wrist" and "watch." The term "wrist" referred to the part of the body where the watch was worn, and "watch" referred to the timekeeping device itself.
Final Answer
"Wristwatch" is one word because it is a blended term that emerged in the early 20th century to describe a new type of timekeeping device worn on the wrist. In contrast, "pocket watch" consists of two separate words because it has been in use for centuries to describe a timekeeping device carried in a pocket. The difference in etymology and historical usage explains why these terms are written differently.
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