While I've always said "Mice", I was recently thinking, isn't there some rule in the English language that says that a living item is treated differently from an object which would mean that the plural to the computer mouse is mouses?
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Mouses or Mice - A question of English
- Thread starter madamimadam
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Both "mice" and "mouses" are acceptable when referring to the computer mouse, though "mice" is somewhat more prevalent.
A few weeks ago I was told at great length the reasons why it's 'mouses' and not 'mice'. It wasn't really that interesting, to be honest. 
Hey, you're putting words in my mouth now!MrSmith said:
I can't remember the reason, to be honest the explanation began and I switched off and started thinking about my tea. Sorry.
you're a starmadamimadam said:To be honest, it is not about whether people understand or not, it is about being anal
Jaffa Cake said:A few weeks ago I was told at great length the reasons why it's 'mouses' and not 'mice'. It wasn't really that interesting, to be honest.
so, mice are commonly used to control pointers on computer interfaces, and to see this happen you would observe a pointer as it mouses around the screen?
Just checking.
Dinner is what you have at dinnertime, tea is what you have at teatime. It's quite simple, really.MrSmith said:Hull...north...dinner, right?
Dinner = Lunch (12pm/1pm)
Tea = Tea (5pm/6pm)
Yea, I spose Tea is nearly what most Americans would called dinner? :-\
Tea = Tea (5pm/6pm)
Yea, I spose Tea is nearly what most Americans would called dinner? :-\
Actually, yes. Except that it would be 'for' rather than 'to'. In fact, me and Miss Jaffa Cake are 'off out for tea' tomorrow.MrSmith said:When you visit a restaurant in the evening do you 'go out to tea'?
Jaffa Cake said:Actually, yes. Except that it would be 'for' rather than 'to'. In fact, me and Miss Jaffa Cake are 'off out for tea' tomorrow.
How can you correct someone's grammar and then say "off out"?
I'm not attempting to correct anyone's grammar, simply saying how we would phrase the statement in these parts. I'm fully aware that what I'm saying isn't grammatically correct, but colloquialisms, dialects and the like often aren't.madamimadam said:
Are you north or south? Or a colonial butting in?madamimadam said:
Actually it's not a case of grammar. 'To' refers to a place, 'for' refers to the purpose. Either is OK but daan souf we would tend to use 'to'. BTW I'm interesting in my other life.How about going to a Dinner and Dance? Tea and Dance? And does your lady friend know you call her that?Jaffa Cake said:
Edit: missed Jaffa Cake's posting above, if it makes any difference.
Jaffa Cake said:I'm not attempting to correct anyone's grammar, simply saying how we would phrase the statement in these parts. I'm fully aware that what I'm saying isn't grammatically correct, but colloquialisms, dialects and the like often aren't.
You say "off out"???
I swear, the English speak their own language almost as badly as the people of the United States
You asking?MrSmith said:
That's a good point, though. In this instance, 'a Dinner' could refer to an evening do, although in my mind at least you'd then be referring to the whole event as the dinner, not just the meal itself.
Oh yes. Actually, last night I told her we were off out to an evening do next month (one of those previously discussed 'Dinner Dance' things), and her first question was "Will we get any tea there?"MrSmith said:And does your lady friend know you call her that?
Oooh, the saucy little thing!Jaffa Cake said:her first question was "Will we get any tea there?"
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