- #1
Sikz
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The plural of moose is moose. What's with that!? It should be meese! Don't you think?
The most maddening thing ever We MUST change it (more)
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the peculiarities of English pluralization, focusing on examples such as "moose," "octopus," and others. Participants explore the inconsistencies and humorous aspects of English spelling and grammar, often referencing personal experiences and cultural observations.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- Some participants question why the plural of "moose" is "moose," suggesting it should be "meese," drawing comparisons to "goose" and its plural form.
- Others introduce the concept of "ghoti" being pronounced as "fish," highlighting the irregularities in English spelling.
- A participant notes that the plural of "elk" and "deer" is the same as the singular, suggesting a pattern among certain animals.
- There is a humorous exchange about the plural of "octopus," with some advocating for "octopodes" while others mention that "octopuses" is commonly used by scientists.
- One participant humorously suggests that if one sheep is a "shoop," then a herd of houses could be "hice" or "heese."
- Another participant reflects on the complexity of English as a language influenced by many others, while another counters that it is not a pidgin language.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of opinions on pluralization rules, with no consensus on the correct forms or the nature of English as a language. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views.
Contextual Notes
Some statements rely on personal interpretations of language rules, and there are unresolved assumptions about the nature of English grammar and its evolution.
- #2
Nereid
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fish?
And why is 'ghoti' pronounced 'fish'?
(Or was it, why is 'fish' spelt 'ghoti'? I get confused so easily. Come back Bernard!)
And why is 'ghoti' pronounced 'fish'?
(Or was it, why is 'fish' spelt 'ghoti'? I get confused so easily. Come back Bernard!)
- #3
chroot
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Because there just enough women in the nation.
- Warren
- #4
zoobyshoe
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You are reasoning from the example of "goose", I take it. However a closer look at the situation reveals that the plural of elk is elk, and the plural of deer is deer, and the plural of caribou is caribou. I think it's an antler club thing.
-Zooby
N.P.P.S.(Plural of elk can be either elk or elks)
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- #5
jonnylane
What about sheep? I don't recall seeing a sheep with antlers.
And I'm a welshman, I've seen a lot of sheep...
- #6
zoobyshoe
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Sheep take 'em off when there's people around.
- #7
tribdog
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and don't even mention ox
speaking of pluralities. When I was young I learned one octopus, two octopi. However, I just watched a show on them and all the scientists used octopuses.
speaking of pluralities. When I was young I learned one octopus, two octopi. However, I just watched a show on them and all the scientists used octopuses.
- #8
selfAdjoint
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Should rightly be octopodes. But that's a lost cause.
English is a pidjin tongue (French+Nordic) + (Low German+Nordic) + ...+ Latin + Greek + Tagalog + Malay + various Native American tongues + ...
- #9
Njorl
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Octalpi? It's about 3.1104 or so.
Njorl
Njorl
- #10
zoobyshoe
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Ooooo, SelfAdjoint! No, No No. English may be a bastard tongue but it is definitely not pidjin.
- #11
tribdog
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That's true, I tried talking to some pidjins in english, but they looked at me like they didn't know what the heck I was talking about, Bastards!
- #12
Nereid
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You're confusing moose with mouse, you know:
moose -> moose
mouse -> mice
Just like:
louse -> lice (cf loose -> loose)
nouse -> nice (cf noose -> noose)
grouse -> grice
house -> hice
The moose, mice, lice, grouse ... even the piddly jinns (when not tipsy) ... they all 'get' it.
Who said English spelling was hard?
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- #13
hypnagogue
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Sometimes I feel like all of existence is an inside joke, and I don't get it.
- #14
Sting
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Shouldn't one person from Portugal be called a Portugoose?
- #15
Nereid
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I thought he'd be a Portuguy.
- #16
Mr. Robin Parsons
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HUH?? you told me it was 3.11048th, you know Octal then Pi!
Oh ya, in Canada the plural of Moose is Moose+, or Mooses
- #17
Royce
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Sheep are always in a group (herd?) If one were to see one sheep wouldn't it then be a shoop with or without horns or antlers. If one saw a herd of houses would one be looking at hice or heese. I think I'm going to be sick.
Did anyone ever find out how to burn your foot while making popcorn?
Did anyone ever find out how to burn your foot while making popcorn?
- #18
Mr. Robin Parsons
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YIKES! did I get **** for that one, so I have now been corrected, the plural of "Moose", in Canada, is "2 Moose", also known as "Two Moose" my apologies to all Canadians for the error, so sorry!