OK, I will hypothesize that "a split" is in the Northeast, "the splits" elsewhere.

The only context I ever hear "a split" before today was to refer to a house (short for "a split-level"). So I don't think it's a Northeast thing

So would you say banana splits?

It's not a word I use very often, but I've never heard the plural in reference to dance or gymnastics.

ETA: Except in the case of "she often does splits in her routine" (but not "the splits").

So would you say banana splits?

Yes.

But now it's happening if I sit for a long time - when I get up, my knee hurts for a few minutes.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it sounds like arthritis.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it sounds like arthritis.

Yeah, when I had my accident back in '91, a doctor told me I'd probably get arthritis in that knee when I got older.

Still, I was hoping it wouldn't happen for a few more decades....

So would you say banana splits?

Earwormed now.

Heh, I see tommyrot went to the same place.

Waits for our resident Bubblegum Music expert to make an appearence.

The same reason "pants" and "scissors" are plural?

But that's because it's a "pair of pants" and a "pair of scissors". To me split is from the verb. I'm just fascinated that I've never heard this.

I've only ever used "a split" generally in reference to skating or ballet move. Sometimes it would be "splits" by itself, as in "I'm going to practice splits," but that's the only time I can think of that I used it as a plural.

I've never heard "the splits."

I've never heard "a split" before this conversation.

Me neither. And I've been doing them for decades.

Buncha freaks.

Yesterday I was something-dressed. Today, I am over-dressed. I decided not to wear lipstick and I took off my necklace on the drive over, in order to tone things down. Velvet dress, shiny black high-heeled boots with big buckle. Technically I think my sister has worn this dress clubbing.

But that's because it's a "pair of pants" and a "pair of scissors".

But why is that??