The decimal system of counting is well established in the English names for numbers. Both the suffix -teen (as in fourteen) and the suffix -ty (as in forty) are related to the word ten. But what about the anomalous eleven and twelve? Why do we not say oneteen, twoteen along the same pattern as thirteen, fourteen, fifteen? Eleven in Old English is endleofan, and related forms in the various Germanic languages point back to an original Germanic *ainlif, "eleven." *Ainlif is composed of *ain-, "one," the same as our one, and the suffix *-lif from the Germanic root *lib-, "to adhere, remain, remain left over." Thus, eleven is literally "one-left" (over, that is, past ten), and twelve is "two-left" (over past ten).
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because some people aren't full of the stupid virus
Because 10 is "ten."
We use base 10 because, surprise, we have 10 fingers. Therefore, "10" has a special significance.
Technically, "11" should be "tenty-one."
But we also have 10 toes. Therefore, we have individual names for 11-20. After that, we work into a pattern.
The decimal system of counting is well established in the English names for numbers. Both the suffix -teen (as in fourteen) and the suffix -ty (as in forty) are related to the word ten. But what about the anomalous eleven and twelve? Why do we not say oneteen, twoteen along the same pattern as thirteen, fourteen, fifteen? Eleven in Old English is endleofan, and related forms in the various Germanic languages point back to an original Germanic *ainlif, "eleven." *Ainlif is composed of *ain-, "one," the same as our one, and the suffix *-lif from the Germanic root *lib-, "to adhere, remain, remain left over." Thus, eleven is literally "one-left" (over, that is, past ten), and twelve is "two-left" (over past ten).
why isn't 12 pronounced two teen or 11 pronounced one teen or 13=three teen or 15= five teen?
haha
no reason
but it would be cooler if they were!
I have to agree ^^
it sounds very stupid
because it sounds stupid..
lol thats a good point!!!!!!!