>>>>Who would have though that the Brits still had over 20,000 troops still in Germany.
>>>
>>>And how many soldiers is that?
>>>
>>>Because http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=troop says that in each of its meanings, "troop" is a group. So that'd be at least 100,000 soldiers (the minimal troop mentioned is 5 boy or girl scouts). And... has anyone heard anyone in uniform saying "I am a troop"?
>>
>>Funny one that. But a cavalryman is a trooper.
>
>Did you ever hear "n thousand troopers"? It's always "n thousand troops". I'm not that deaf.

Heh, I'm not arguing with you. I've often thought the same. Just thought I'd throw that into the pot. However, you could hear "20 troopers were on parade"

But then again, what is the singular of cattle (and I think you may have the same problem in your own language)?