Posted by Robert Dilley on June 21, 1999 at 15:55:10 from geog-rc2006f.lakeheadu.ca:
In Reply to: Re: The Big Six posted by Jenna on June 21, 1999 at 14:32:22:
1: The COD (my full length OED is at home) defines "The Big Three, Four etc" as "the predominant few".
2: As mentioned recently in another context, I read a lot of detective fiction for relaxation. In a Margery Allingham story of the 40s or 50s there is mention of a Detective Superintendent in the CID becoming "One of the Big Five" at Scotland Yard.