arrears - uncommon

[mkenuk]

I played arrears in yesterday's 7-by-many and was quite surprised to see that it was classed as 'uncommon'.

Going by our normal rule of thumb, I would have been fairly sure that arrears or the phrase 'in arrears' would be familiar to most educated native speakers everywhere.

According to the COD, arrears is a plural noun, which generally means that it has no singular.
It does, however, also mention the phrase 'in arrear' but points out that this is 'chiefly law' ie lawyers' jargon.
arrear was also classed as 'uncommon'

[Alan W]

It seems arrears was originally not allowed at all, presumably because arrear was allowed. Then in 2008 I added arrears as a rare word, but I can't find any discussion about it in the forum. So I can't explain why it's not common, but it probably bears looking at.

[les303]

I played arrears before i played arrear & was sat on my rear by the results