Anoum  +  249076 Wed, 26 Jul 06 12:39 PM     Can anyone tell me if the use of "a bunch of bananas" and "a comb of bananas" can be used interchangeably? This was how we used it when I was a school girl but now I am told that "a comb" is only used for the bananas when they are stuck together and actually look like a  comb while " a bunch" is  only used if many combs of bananas are  stuck on the long stalk of the banana plant. Anoum Joined on Sun, May 21 2006 Malaysia New Member 03

	nona the brit  +  249096 Wed, 26 Jul 06 01:59 PM In the UK we only use bunch. I'd not heard of comb before. nona the brit Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004 England Veteran Member 11,713 The name says it all.

	Grammar Geek  +  249109 Wed, 26 Jul 06 03:34 PM Iin the U.S., I've never hear "comb" used before either. Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,683 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random!

	Clive  +  249138 Wed, 26 Jul 06 04:38 PM Hi Anoum, Welcome to the Forum. 'Bunch' is the common term. I have heard of  'a hand' of bananas, probably because of the resemblance to a hand with fingers. However, such terms are probably only used by people who work on banana ranches, make sure the banana herds don't stampede, that kind of thing. (ha-ha) Best wishes, Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,679 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

	Anoum  +  249160 Wed, 26 Jul 06 05:19 PM Thank you very much for the responses. Wow, now after some decades, I finally find out that people in America, England, Canada and China don't use the phrase "a comb of bananas"! I am sure all my friends are going to be surprised. Which makes me wonder if that phrase originates locally then? Anoum

	AlpheccaStars  +  814455 Sat, 11 Jul 09 12:45 AM The COCA cites many examples of "bunch(es) of bananas" and one "stem of bananas". I've never heard of a comb of bananas, but it is quite descriptive of the shape and arrangement of a bunch! A-s AlpheccaStars Joined on Sun, Oct 12 2008 Senior Member 3,508 The pen is mightier than the sword. Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) Nouns

	Clive  +  814620 Sat, 11 Jul 09 03:46 AM Hi, But in real life, when I speak about grocery shopping, I typically say 'I bought (some) bananas'. I never say 'I bought a bunch/comb/stem of bananas'.   Best wishes, Clive Clive Nouns