atw: Re: Mouses??
- From: "I-Ashley, Bruce" <bruce.ashley@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2006 16:43:02 +1000
I was referring to additional reference sources when I used 'also' but
that's a side issue.
The point I was making was that our key references have already made a
determination on the usage of the word 'mouses' and this should be good
enough for us. It's as simple as that.
As a technical writer, while I may disagree with many uses of many
words, it is not my right to use language that I cannot defend.
The dictionary definition for 'mouses' has been around since at least
1993 so I can defend its use.
I agree with Howard that we should discuss all things relating to
language but to discuss things is one matter. To cite the 'correct'
usage of a word as being inappropriate is, at best, careless and sends
the wrong message to those who do not have access to dictionaries et al.
and to those who are new to the industry.
Getting back to the original issue, 'mice', in the context of computing
devices, is simply wrong. I, like many, find 'mouses' a very
uncomfortable word to use but even so, I can defend its use. I cannot
defend the use of 'mice' in this circumstance.
Howard is correct though, when he says the discussion is of more
interest. It certainly highlights some of the bad habits that are out
there.
Cheers,
Bruce
-----Original Message-----
From: Howard.Silcock@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:Howard.Silcock@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 1:07 PM
To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: atw: Re: Mouses??
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
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