Mouses or mice?
 

I just had an argument, this is to decide it....

1 Mouse, 2 ???

At least that's what they taught me in the first grade.

Mice. You need to ask a Dutch-dominated forum this ? ;)

heh - not that I necessarily agree with it, but here is the argument for calling them 'mouses':

If they invented a new input device and called it a 'sheep', would you get 3 sheeps or 3 sheep? If you say '3 sheep', then it is only from historical use of the word 'sheep'. You have however already changed the meaning of the word by calling a new input device after it: you have created a new noun with the same name as a fluffy animal. Who says the plural form has to match as well?

As I understand it, the plural form of 'mouse' (eaten by cat variety) does not follow any given rules of grammer - it is just an abnormality of the English language. As such, why should an input device of the same name follow the same abnormal rule - why not follow the usual rules of English grammar, and call them 'mouses'?

I guess I should have mentioned that I am not after a grammer lesson, but rather the reasoning behind the grammer itself. ;)

LOL anarres, you have too much time to think ;)


btw, I today saw an interesting plural form for 'Schlüssel' (key): 'Schlüssels' - that's kinda like saying 'keyers' in English----

Mice is the plural of Mouse.

There are more exceptions to the rules of english grammer than words that actually follow them ;)

I am firmly of the belief that 'correct useage' is modified by common useage. When enough people use mouses instead of mice for the plural of mouse (input device) then I'll agree that it is correct :)

Do you agree with the notion of standardising the English language btw?

Its micen.

[:p]

It's möss!!!!!

I would say mouses. Mice is for living things, err.. mice I mean.

But looking at the poll, I see I drifting away from reality once again! ;)