I was wondering if someone could explain to me why it is possible to say "food and drink" and not necessarily "food and drinks."
In the example that you quote, �food� and �drink� are �mass nouns�. A mass noun is a noun whose individual parts are not thought of as separate entities. Another name is �uncountable noun�, or �non-count noun�. Other examples of uncountable nouns are �butter�, �smoke�, �money�, �music�, �information�.
An uncountable noun cannot be �counted� therefore it can have no plural.
Normally, you cannot say: �I have 2 butters.� �I smell 3 smokes�. �I possess 10 moneys�.
However, the discussions regarding uncountable and countable nouns are long and complicated, because, in some grammatical situations a noun can be uncountable, and in another situation it can be countable. Moreover, what is countable in (for example) German is not necessarily countable in English.
�Music� is normally uncountable.
You would not normally say: �The Information Desk has lots of InformationS and plays beautiful musicS�.
However, (just as an example), this sentence is acceptable. �The music of Italy is quiet. The music of Spain is loud. The two musics are entirely different�.
You will occasionally see a printed notice for Dinner-Dance events: �Food and Drink will be served in the Restaurant at 9 p.m.�
But I have frequently heard people say: �I�ll bring the Food, you bring the DrinkS�. I think that, here, the individual is thinking of the Food as being a mass noun, not as separate items; but thinks of the Drinks as individual drinks � lemonade, whisky, beer, etc.
It is my opinion that, grammatically speaking, the phrase is �Food and Drink�, meaning the two substances that sustain life.
However, I think that many English people, in ordinary conversation say: �Food and Drinks�.
I hope that this helps.
Les
