The phrase "not counting" means excluding or not including something. Its pronunciation is [nɑt ˈkaʊntɪŋ], with the stress on the first syllable. The word "not" is pronounced as [nɑt], with the "o" being pronounced like "awe". The "t" sound is unaspirated, which means that it is pronounced without the puff of air that follows a normal "t" sound. The word "counting" is pronounced as [ˈkaʊntɪŋ], with the stress on the second syllable and the "ow" sound as in "cow".
"Not counting" is a phrase that signifies the exclusion or omission of particular items or individuals from a total count or consideration. It is typically used to emphasize that something is being left out of the calculation or discussion. The expression implies that the mentioned object or group should be disregarded or overlooked when evaluating or tabulating a particular count, list, or calculation.
The phrase is often employed when discussing numerical figures or statistics, and indicates that a specific number or subgroup is not being included in the final summation. The phrase could be used when considering a total population, for example, stating that the number provided does not include a certain demographic or geographical group.
Additionally, "not counting" can also be used in a non-literal sense to highlight the exclusion of certain factors or circumstances when making a judgment or assessment. For instance, someone might say, "We had a great day at the beach, not counting the unexpected rain shower," meaning that overall, the day was enjoyable except for the unforeseen interruption.
Overall, the phrase "not counting" is used to clarify that there are particular items, individuals, or circumstances that should not be taken into account or included in a specific count or evaluation. It serves as a way to distinguish and emphasize the deliberate exclusion of certain elements from a given context.
The phrase "not counting" is not a single word, but rather a combination of two words: "not" and "counting". It does not have a specific etymology as a standalone phrase. However, we can examine the origins of the individual words to gain some insight.
1. "Not": This word has its roots in Old English, where it was spelled as "naht" or "nat", meaning "nothing". Over time, it evolved to become "not", which serves as a negation or denial.
2. "Counting": This word originates from the verb "count", which can be traced back to the Old French word "conter" or "compter". In turn, these words have their roots in Latin "computare", meaning "to sum up" or "reckon".
When combined, the phrase "not counting" implies the exclusion or omission of something from a count or tally.