Why do people say "off" referring to quantity?
Discussion
Famous Graham said:
Err...it's "of", not off.
As in "3 of part x"
It's a relatively common way to read out an order list as the supplier will be looking up the inventory first (whether by name or SKU/number). So it makes sense for the quantity to follow, rather than precede.
"Part X. Number 123456. 2 of.
Part Y. Number 490559. 6 of."
Nope, its "off" As in "3 of part x"
It's a relatively common way to read out an order list as the supplier will be looking up the inventory first (whether by name or SKU/number). So it makes sense for the quantity to follow, rather than precede.
"Part X. Number 123456. 2 of.
Part Y. Number 490559. 6 of."
The stock control/shelf makes sense.
Thanks op, this has bugged me for years
GeraldSmith said:
In UK manufacturing, particularly if it is defence orientated, it is 'off' not 'of'.
A theory is that it comes from the stores taking a number off their stock, but it could be an abbreviation for Material Take Off or Quantity Take Off, but wherever it comes from, it's definitely 'off'.
...and if it's Defence related, they usually spell 'material' as 'materiel'.A theory is that it comes from the stores taking a number off their stock, but it could be an abbreviation for Material Take Off or Quantity Take Off, but wherever it comes from, it's definitely 'off'.
Super Slo Mo said:
On a slightly related note, why when we refer to something that's unique, to we say it's a "one off".
The same reason perhaps?
Yes, if a machine made 50 off, there'd be 49 similar ones to yours. But for "one off" it's unique.The same reason perhaps?
I was taught it was from cutting sections from a longer bar or roll of something: "Cut 5 equal pieces off for production". But taking a component "off" the shelf or stock list also makes sense.
.It’s not a grammar issue. Yes people frequently mix up off and of these days but not in this case.
I’ve been working a lot with inventory since COVID
Because the store person reduces 1 off his stock list.
I want 6 off candles
Right you are sir.
He has 20 in stock and takes 6 off leaving 14 in stock.
I’ve been working a lot with inventory since COVID
Famous Graham said:
Err...it's "of", not off.
As in "3 of part x"
It's a relatively common way to read out an order list as the supplier will be looking up the inventory first (whether by name or SKU/number). So it makes sense for the quantity to follow, rather than precede.
"Part X. Number 123456. 2 of.
Part Y. Number 490559. 6 of."
No it’s offAs in "3 of part x"
It's a relatively common way to read out an order list as the supplier will be looking up the inventory first (whether by name or SKU/number). So it makes sense for the quantity to follow, rather than precede.
"Part X. Number 123456. 2 of.
Part Y. Number 490559. 6 of."
Because the store person reduces 1 off his stock list.
I want 6 off candles
Right you are sir.
He has 20 in stock and takes 6 off leaving 14 in stock.
Edited by Pesty on Wednesday 28th October 10:47
Edited by Pesty on Wednesday 28th October 10:52
I quite like this explanation ;
"The correct reason for this, is so the Engineer can be sure no information is missing from the quantity instruction. If it read ‘1 of’ it could be missing ‘1 of 3’ so missing the number 3. Hence producing the wrong amount. Having the word of with an extra ‘f’ clearly shows it’s say ...24 off
Not 24 of and a missing number example ‘ 24 of 50.
I hope this make it clear."
From here;
https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/385024...
"The correct reason for this, is so the Engineer can be sure no information is missing from the quantity instruction. If it read ‘1 of’ it could be missing ‘1 of 3’ so missing the number 3. Hence producing the wrong amount. Having the word of with an extra ‘f’ clearly shows it’s say ...24 off
Not 24 of and a missing number example ‘ 24 of 50.
I hope this make it clear."
From here;
https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/385024...
crofty1984 said:
Super Slo Mo said:
On a slightly related note, why when we refer to something that's unique, to we say it's a "one off".
The same reason perhaps?
Yes, if a machine made 50 off, there'd be 49 similar ones to yours. But for "one off" it's unique.The same reason perhaps?
I was taught it was from cutting sections from a longer bar or roll of something: "Cut 5 equal pieces off for production". But taking a component "off" the shelf or stock list also makes sense.
Pesty said:
No it’s off
Because the store person reduces 1 off his stock list.
I want 6 off candles
Right you are sir.
He has 20 in stock and takes 6 off leaving 14 in stock.
Not four candles?Because the store person reduces 1 off his stock list.
I want 6 off candles
Right you are sir.
He has 20 in stock and takes 6 off leaving 14 in stock.
Edited by Pesty on Wednesday 28th October 10:47
It's definitely 'off', when I worked with the CIA they used to 'off' people, not 'of' them.
My old Woodwork teacher used off. ( this was back in the 1960s) he explained it stemmed from wood cutting when you were given a length of wood and told to cut 6 pieces each 3 inches long OFF the supplied piece
It soon ( as most thing do) got contracted to 6 off 3 inches other measurements are avaiable
It soon ( as most thing do) got contracted to 6 off 3 inches other measurements are avaiable
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