genius/geniuses

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Penicillin  #370565  Sat, 26 May 07 01:50 AM

Hello

Which one is correct?

- We're geniuses.

- We're genius.

I think the first is correct.

If so, why "genius" is noun and "smart" is adjective?

Thanks

  
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Feebs11  #370570  Sat, 26 May 07 02:01 AM
The first is correct.

In answer to your other question, that's how language is. I don't think anyone can really answer why something is now an adjective. "smart" originally was a verb which became adjectival and by extension  a noun. Its meaning has also evolved and extended. Language changes all the time

Smart:  • adjective 1 clean, tidy, and stylish. 2 bright and fresh in appearance. 3 (of a place) fashionable and upmarket. 4 informal having a quick intelligence. 5 chiefly N. Amer. impertinently clever or sarcastic. 6 quick; brisk
 • noun 1 a smarting pain. 2 (smarts) N. Amer. informal intelligence; acumen.

O.E. smeortan "be painful," from W.Gmc. *smert- (cf. M.Du. smerten, Du. smarten, O.H.G. smerzan, Ger. schmerzen "to pain," originally "to bite"), from PIE base *(s)***-, from base *(s)mer- "to rub, pound" (cf. Gk. smerdnos "terrible, dreadful," Skt. mardayati "grinds, rubs, crushes," L. mordere to bite").

  
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Penicillin  #370905  Sat, 26 May 07 06:45 PM
Thanks
  
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