on the top of / on top of

Question

I'd like to ask if there is any difference betwee them?E.g.: I put my money on the top of the shelf.E.g.: I put my money on top of the shelf.

MrPedantic · Accepted Answer

Hello My Celine

I've taken this explanation from an earlier post by Mister Micawber:

'On (the) top of the mountain/building/bookcase/Christmas tree' -- both seem to apply to equally well to vertical physical objects.

'On top of everything else/the rest of my problems/all his other idiosyncrasies'-- only this form seems to work with metaphorical tops.

'On the top of the paper/ the label' -- these seem to take only 'the top', when we mean the upper edge ('on top of' the paper would be anywhere on the upper face).

Which leads me to the secret (maybe): 'the top' is a physical part of the structure, while 'top' is a location, either literal or figurative, perhaps idiomatic. They are often in the same place, so that either phrase works; but occasionally they are not.

MrP

Anonymous · Answer

No difference, but we ususally just say "on top of the shelf".

Anonymous · Answer

I found this forum through google while trying to figure out what Rufus Wainwright wants to say when he sings

Didn't realize you were so top of the shelf

I thought that "to be top of the shelf" was an idiom, but it's not in any dictionary I've tried.

Thanks for any help.

Jan

MrPedantic · Answer

AnonymousI found this forum through google while trying to figure out what Rufus Wainwright wants to say when he sings
Didn't realize you were so top of the shelf
I thought that "to be top of the shelf" was an idiom, but it's not in any dictionary I've tried.

Thanks for any help.

Jan

Hello Jan

"Top of the shelf" might be a metaphor for "high class"; or conversely, perhaps "sleazy" (pornographic magazines are displayed on the top shelf in some newsagents).

But someone who knows the song may have a better idea!

MrP

on the top of / on top of

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