I think part of the "it sounds better that way" is that pattern of stresses. Since "and" is unstressed, if a couple has one person with a one-syllable name and one person with a two-syllable name, it's likely going to sound better to have the one-syllable name first so that the pattern is stressed-unstressed-stressed-unstressed.
Also, I wonder if one person being part of a lot of couples and another person not would affect things. Say A is with B, C, and D. You would be more likely (other factors excluded) to say A&B, A&C, A&D, I think.
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Date: 2004-10-15 04:49 am (UTC)Also, I wonder if one person being part of a lot of couples and another person not would affect things. Say A is with B, C, and D. You would be more likely (other factors excluded) to say A&B, A&C, A&D, I think.