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”.