Re: Mice or Mouses

[Koleta B Tilson <kbtilson@SACAM.OREN.ORTN.EDU>]

If *computer mouse* is a term whereby the same form may be
singular or plural, it could be because there is no
differentiation in the entities which the term references.

Additional suggestions follow:

First: When a noun in question changes form, such as with mouse
and mice, substitute another noun for which a plural is formed by
adding an *s*.  To try this, pretend the mouse were called a
*bug* and ask yourself - "Would it be bug or bugs?"  Oops..bug has
been verbalized...such as "that bugs me".  *Snake* could be ok
but never *fish*.

Next engage syntatical cognizance:  The term *mouse* is sometimes used
with the word *computer* to reference an aforementioned peripheral input
device.  The practice of using the term *mouse* by itself to refer to
same may become metaphorical, thus rendering a strict observation of
grammatical syntax arbitrary.

Regarding references to the computer mouse ball, consider the
following: "Possessive case is for the living"
Thus, never the mouse's ball (only if personified Mickey as athlete).
But, of course, with a computer mouse, never balls since there is
only one per mouse (as far as I know) and since you are using the
collective mouse whereby each ball is identical, reference
those collectively, too, except in cases where they are missing.
Then the really testy problem is no longer how not to refer to them,
but the fact that they definitely do not work.

Avoid the personification pitfall:
Since the rodent to which the label *mouse* traditionally
refers is animate, therein lies the strong tendency to personify
the computer input device and to assign ownership with regard to the
spherical implant which revolves and sends the signal.  It is most likely
that the resulting incongruity may generate humor when/if the syntax of
usage vacillates into personification. This may serve to further discourage
employing the possessive case: hence stay with *the ball of the mouse*.

Forecast: I am of the concerted opinion that when/if the novelty
label *computer mouse* becomes/is fully incorporated into the language
as *mouse* and if/when the initial term formerly used to label
*computer mouse* is deemed unnecessary, the lexiographer will
record the emergent use practices which may by then have gained
historical significance.  As computers become primarily controlled
with speech and touch, fewer of these tethered devices will be used.
That, indeed, may settle this issue of what not to have called them as
well as to qualify them as endangered but never species.

Conclusion: There may be room for emotion here, so just enjoy the mouse
as/while you can, but avoid *becoming too attached*.

Koleta B. Tilson, Librarian         "tempora mutantur
Sullivan Central High School      nos et mutamurm in illis"
Blountville, TN 37617           <times change and we change
kbtilson@sacam.oren.ortn.edu     with them>-John Owen, d1622