Inspired by a discussion on the high-brow clusterflock group, and frustrated by technical issues with a post that I have had to put in cold storage this morning, I have been thinking about plurals and animals.
For example, there exists no universally agreed upon plural of “platypus” in the English language. The egg-headed among us generally use “platypuses” or simply “platypus”. Colloquially (and in some dictionaries), “platypi” is also used, although this really is cod-Latin. The Greek plural would be “platypodes”, but only a nob would go around saying that.
In the spirit of the English language’s lack of rigidity in relation to hard ‘n fast rules, I myself have been endeavouring to get “platypussies” up and running, but have had little success thus far.
In this manner, I am beginning to use “fishies” instead of “fish”, “sheepies” instead of “sheep” and “deeries” instead of “deer”.
For example, there exists no universally agreed upon plural of “platypus” in the English language. The egg-headed among us generally use “platypuses” or simply “platypus”. Colloquially (and in some dictionaries), “platypi” is also used, although this really is cod-Latin. The Greek plural would be “platypodes”, but only a nob would go around saying that.
In the spirit of the English language’s lack of rigidity in relation to hard ‘n fast rules, I myself have been endeavouring to get “platypussies” up and running, but have had little success thus far.
In this manner, I am beginning to use “fishies” instead of “fish”, “sheepies” instead of “sheep” and “deeries” instead of “deer”.
Comments
On another note, I am intrigued by the book about Hitler. He was such a horrible individual that the sociological aspects of his rise to power and the world's tolerance of him till 1939 is usually ignored or overshadowed. In my mind, guys like him pop up with too much regularity, ie. Idi Amin, Pol Pot, Robert Mugabe... but since they are in non-industrialized and non-western countries their destructive impact is local and easily ignored. Similarly, Hitler was ignored or tolerated as long as he remained a localized force of destruction. Once Germany's industrial base was rebuilt and he went beyond the borders of Germany then he started to get notice.
Plurals in english are just lovely. Chaos and anarchy can be so comforting!
Another area for delightful words are the collective nouns for animals. I've always been fond of "a parliament of owls", although I think it is a bit demeaning for owls to be compared with parliamentarians. (and what, pray, is the collective noun for parliamentarians?)
And what have ravens done to deserve the collective noun "unkindness"? (to say nothing of crows, collectively known as "a murder of crows").
Another gem is "an ostentation of peacocks".
Lovely photos, by the way.
cheers
Susannah