kornkob
Resident Crazy Uncle
donner said:'Between the two of us' is another phrase that gets me. It's redundant. "Between" by definition involves two people, things etc. If it's three or more you move to among. There is no need for the 'two of us' on the end of the phrase because between takes care of the numbers involved.
I think your assumption that between only refers to a duality is a flawed assumtion.
Example of non-duality usage:
Joe, John and Jane all looked in their piggy banks and they had $5.19 between them.
Between Josie, Janet and Jack covering the goals, we never had a chance.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This be·tween
prep.
- In or through the position or interval separating: between the trees; between 11 o'clock and 12 o'clock.
- Intermediate to, as in quantity, amount, or degree: It costs between 15 and 20 dollars.
- By the combined effort or effect of: Between them they succeeded.
- In the combined ownership of: They had only a few dollars between them.
- Usage Problem Connecting spatially: a railroad between the two cities.
- Usage Problem Associating or uniting in a reciprocal action or relationship: an agreement between workers and management; a certain resemblance between the two stories.
- In confidence restricted to: Between you and me, he is not qualified.
- By the combined effort or effect of: Between them they succeeded.
- In the combined ownership of: They had only a few dollars between them.
- As measured against. Often used to express a reciprocal relationship: choose between riding and walking.