I'm finding the dynamics of this discussion more interesting than the topic itself. 1. I raised the topic with the observation that many people are asserting that the plural is 'mouses' (in computer contexts). I wondered aloud why this should be so. 2. Some people said they objected to 'mice' and suggested alternatives. I asked why they objected - and got no answer. 3. Various people sent quotes from dictionaries. All (except the IBM Word Usage database quoted by Stuart) say that, in computer contexts, the plural 'mouses' is ALSO found. [Yes, I know - that's why I raised the topic.] 4. Bruce somehow concludes from his quotes that I am 'wrong' and advises me to start writing 'mouses' too. [Hmm, I read that word 'also' as meaning that 'mouses' is an ALTERNATIVE to 'mice'.] Underlying the discussion seems to be an assumption that what we think about this is irrelevant and we should just shut up and do what we're told by the lords and masters who write the dictionaries. Come on, guys - we're technical writers, aren't we? Who is better positioned to comment on technical terminology? The dictionary-makers only put technical terms there because people who write technical documents start using them - people like us. Howard Howard Silcock Technical Writer ADI Limited Electronic Systems 1 Phipps Close, Deakin, ACT 2600 Ph. +61 2 6234 6075 Fax +61 2 6234 6011 Email: howard.silcock@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Web page: www.adi-limited.com.au "I-Ashley, Bruce" <bruce.ashley@xxxxxxxxxx> Sent by: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 29/09/2006 11:09 AM Please respond to austechwriter To: <austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> cc: Subject: atw: Re: Mouses?? Sorry Howard, you are wrong in this and whether you get irritated or not, in computer terms, 'mouses' is correct usage. Forget Wikipedia and the many other on-line references that also show 'mouses' as being correct, a quick look at the SOED (4th Ed.) shows the following: mouse, Pl. mice, in sense 4 also mouses Sense 4: Any of various objects regarded as resembling a mouse in shape or appearance; spec. (b) 'Computing' a small hand-held device moved over a flat surface to produce a corresponding movement of a cursor or arrow on a VDU, usu. Having fingertip controls for selecting a function or entering a command. So, unless your group of electronic mouses eats cheese, I'd suggest using 'mice' is probably not the best way forward. Cheers, Bruce Ashley -----Original Message----- From: Howard Silcock [mailto:howard.silcock@xxxxxxxxxxxx] Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2006 9:29 PM To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: atw: Mouses?? I'm getting more and more irritated by people who tell me that the plural of 'mouse', in computer contexts, is 'mouses'. Who makes these ridiculous decisions? The attempts I've seen to justify make it seem all the more ridiculous - how on earth can anyone say that 'mouse' is a 'headless noun' (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_plural)? (At least they didn't say it was tailless!) Has anyone been given 'mouses' as an official plural in their 'house style'? If so, I urge you to rebel and stamp out this ridiculous usage (no, not stamp on the poor mouse). Let's hear it for the mice! Howard ************************************************** To post a message to austechwriter, send the message to austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To subscribe to austechwriter, send a message to austechwriter-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "subscribe" in the Subject field. To unsubscribe, send a message to austechwriter-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "unsubscribe" in the Subject field. 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