# Plural of Iron Man **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 13, 2016, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306 "2016-06-13T23:55:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/21 "2016-06-14T03:16:23Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Yep, he is Iron Man. The suit is just a whole-body prosthetic that Iron Man wears. So, the t-shirt shows neither Iron Men or Iron Mans–it shows Iron Man Suits. Or at most different versions of Iron Man. Is Iron Man a trademarked name? If so (and I think so) then [the rules regarding pluralizing trademarked names](http://www.inta.org/TrademarkBasics/FactSheets/Pages/TrademarkUseFactSheet.aspx) (recently in the news regarding iPod pluralization, most grammatically properly “multiple iPod devices” rather than “iPods” ) may apply. Trademarks are properly handled as adjectives. There are various depictions of Iron Man characters on that shirt. The fact that it is handled as a noun _within_ the fictional universe is immaterial to how it is handled within the real world. Within the fictional universe pluralization is up to the creators or perhaps the characters, be they Proudfoots or Proudfeet. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/22 "2016-06-14T08:01:03Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Iron Mans. It sounds wrong but it is grammatically correct. And since when is English consistently grammatically correct? It’s Iron Men. I’m surprised no one has suggested Irons Man (Jeremy notwithstanding). ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/23 "2016-06-14T09:10:30Z")
I thought about suggesting Irons men, just to be terribly obnoxious, but it’s wrong, since there’s no way “Iron” is the noun. However, the plural of Virgin Mary is Virgins Mary. And computers have mouses. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/24 "2016-06-14T10:08:46Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > However, the plural of Virgin Mary is Virgins Mary. But Bloody Marys, right? I’d hate for a bartender/grammar Nazi to correct me. ETA: “a coupla bloody marys to the virgins Mary down at the end of the bar, please.” ---
**Author:** ![Kiber](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiber/32/317_2.png) [@Kiber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiber)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/25 "2016-06-14T13:05:35Z")
Aren’t they all Fe-ple? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/26 "2016-06-14T13:27:25Z")
Well you’d never say “Batmen”. So I vote “Iron Mans.” ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/27 "2016-06-14T13:36:01Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > Normally we don’t think that a person changes his identity depending on the clothing he’s wearing, even if it’s very special clothing. Clark Kent is Superman, whether he’s wearing the colorful underwear or not. It would seem a little (but not totally) odd to me if Tony Stark claimed that he was Iron Man, and some one objected, saying “no you can’t be because you’re not wearing the suit”. Yes, Superman has all his characteristics regardless of how he’s dressed or what he’s called. But no, Tony Stark is not Iron Man out of the suit. He can’t fly, he can’t bear most attacks, he can’t fire repulsor rays. It’s not clothing, not even “very special clothing.” It’s an integral part of the entity known as Iron Man. > [@Chronos](#): > > Wasn’t that the point of the third Iron Man movie, Stark realizing that he was still Iron Man even when he wasn’t suited up? > [@Ethilrist](#): > > Yep, he is Iron Man. The suit is just a whole-body prosthetic that Iron Man wears. Movie-schmovie, I disagree. Stark is certainly the human portion of Iron Man, but he alone is not Iron Man, and the suit is much more than just a prosthetic (see above). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/28 "2016-06-14T13:58:43Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > But no, Tony Stark is not Iron Man out of the suit. Tony Stark held a press conference and announced _“I am Iron Man.”_ ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/29 "2016-06-14T14:00:27Z")
> [@Kiber](#): > > Aren’t they all Fe-ple? Nice. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/30 "2016-06-14T14:06:59Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Tony Stark held a press conference and announced _“I am Iron Man.”_ When they finally decide Robert Downey Jr is too old and replace Tony Stark in the movie universe, they should have a scene in the movie where Tony announces his replacement by standing next to him at a press conference and announcing, “We are Iron Men! No, wait. We are Iron Mans! Iron Mans or Iron Men? We are Iron Men? That doesn’t work either. Wait, I got it. I AM IRON MAN! AND SO IS HE!” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/31 "2016-06-14T14:14:34Z")
“I am IRON MAN; he is IRON MAN 2; that’s IRON MAN 3.” ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/32 "2016-06-14T14:20:05Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > If it is always Stark in the suit, then Iron Mans. If Rhodes is in one of the suits and Stark in another, then Iron Men. Wouldn’t be one Iron Man and one War Machine (or Iron Patriot)? ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/33 "2016-06-14T14:36:29Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > Yeah, I think it’s not as clear-cut as **Gary T** is arguing for. Normally we don’t think that a person changes his identity depending on the clothing he’s wearing, even if it’s very special clothing. Clark Kent is Superman, whether he’s wearing the colorful underwear or not. It would seem a little (but not totally) odd to me if Tony Stark claimed that he was Iron Man, and some one objected, saying “no you can’t be because you’re not wearing the suit”. > > –Mark LT Pete Mitchell is still “Maverick” even when he’s not in the cockpit of his F-14A Tomcat. What happens if Rhodes and Tony switch suits? I feel I should also point out that the Black Sabbath song Iron Man is about a different Iron Man. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/34 "2016-06-14T14:36:29Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Well you’d never say “Batmen”. So I vote “Iron Mans.” I wouldn’t say “Batmans” or “Supermans” either. Same problem. The bottom line, as alluded to above is that we shouldn’t expect absolute consistency, and BOTH constructions just SOUND wrong. In practice, I’ll weasel out of it by saying “Iron Man suits” or something like this. And “Iron Man’s suits” also sounds wrong. “Iron Man” is a modifier for the type of suit. I wouldn’t say “Boy Scout’s uniforms”, although I suppose some people might. However, for a group of participants in the triathlon event, I would say “Ironmen” without hesitation, as everybody else seems to. BTW, that “computer mouses” thing never seemed to take root, thankfully. Many dictionaries considers both correct, and “mouses” sounds too close to a Tom and Jerry cartoon (“meeses”). Computers have “mice”, IMO. When the grammarians aren’t able to reach a conclusion, give up on them and trust your ear. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/35 "2016-06-14T14:44:46Z")
Excuse me … a “Pixie and Dixie” cartoon. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/36 "2016-06-14T15:50:13Z")
Again, [Batmen](http://batman.wikia.com/wiki/Batmen)is canon. So is [Spider-Men](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Men). And so is [Iron Men](https://www.amazon.com/Iron-Man-Marvel-Comics-Quality/dp/0785147306) “Men” just sounds more natural as a plural. Usage is going to prefer it. Grammar does not have a role to play here. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/37 "2016-06-14T16:13:36Z")
> [@yabob](#): > > BTW, that “computer mouses” thing never seemed to take root, thankfully. Many dictionaries considers both correct, and “mouses” sounds too close to a [Pixie and Dixie] cartoon (“meeses”). Computers have “mice”, IMO. What are you, a man or a meese? I mean a men or a mouses? 😕 I mean…ah, fuhgeddabout it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/38 "2016-06-14T16:15:08Z")
Generally, I assume that a compounded structure that contains an irregular plural, reverts back to regular plural form, if it does not make literal reference to the noun’s thingness. Like the Toronto Maple Leafs (who are hockey players, not botanical appendages), but a yard full of maple leaves. This is not restricted to nouns. A baseball players flied out to center field – not flew out, which would have a whole different connotation. But I’ve noticed more and more commentators nowadays saying “flew out”, so I guess the pedants must be putting their feet to the fire. So if an Iron Man is a shirt, and there are two shirts, they are Iron Mans. When I was a kid, our house had a furnace in the basement made by Iron Fireman. Lots of people had Iron Firemans, it was a popular brand. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/39 "2016-06-15T01:14:19Z")
> [@Kiber](#): > > Aren’t they all Fe-ple? Persons of ferrous composition. And computer mouses. ---
**Author:** ![Wallaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Wallaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallaby)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2016, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306/40 "2016-06-15T23:49:41Z")
More importantly:cool: If we have more than one Ironman - what do we call the grouping? A Filing of Ironmen (mans)? A Lode? Perhaps an Ore? A SNAG? This needs to be clarified. I’d hate to have to call on superheroes, and not get a response because I used the wrong collective noun. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-iron-man/757306.md?page=3)