Did we lose the war against “assistant” captain?

[MikeyMike01]

How could "alternate" captain possibly be correct? That doesn't even begin to make any sense grammatically. Maybe "alternative" captain, but "alternate?" Or is this another American English thing?

/r/confidentallyincorrect

Definition of ALTERNATES

occurring or succeeding by turns; arranged first on one side and then on the other at different levels or points along an axial line; arranged one above or alongside the other… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

 

[Auston Marlander]

Also, this is an August thread. Not a February thread.

I'm trying to think of a thread that would matter less and I've come up with nothing.

Of all the irrelevant threads this place has seen, this one is up there.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

/r/confidentallyincorrect

Definition of ALTERNATES

occurring or succeeding by turns; arranged first on one side and then on the other at different levels or points along an axial line; arranged one above or alongside the other… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

That’s alternate the verb not alternate the noun. Like on a jury, often in the states you pick 12 jurors and two alternates in case a juror or two gets dismissed. (Although isn’t the alternate in alternate captain an adjective?)

 

[nucks88]

It always was alternate...the player(s) was/were named in case the captain was injured or penalized and unable to fulfill his duties....

Further to this:

According to International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and National Hockey League (NHL) rules, the only player allowed to speak with referees about rule interpretations is the captain, or, if the captain is not on the ice, an alternate captain.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

Some differences don't make a difference. Assistant, alternative, adjunct captain, who cares?

 

[Elysian]

The what the what