Mouses vs Mice: What’s the Correct Plural of Mouse?

What does the Word “Mouse” Mean?

The word “mouse” can actually have a couple different meanings! Here are the two most common:

1. Small rodent: This is the most likely meaning you’ll encounter. A mouse is a small furry creature with a pointed nose, big ears, and a long tail. They’re often found in homes and love to nibble on cheese!
2. Computer device: This is a small handheld tool you use with your computer. You move it around on a flat surface and it controls the arrow on the screen.

The Origin Story of the Computer Mouse

The computer mouse was invented by Douglas Engelbart in the early 1960s while working at the Stanford Research Institute (SRI). While the exact origin of the name “mouse” isn’t entirely certain, some theories suggest it relates to the device’s resemblance to a rodent with a cord resembling a tail. Engelbart himself never commented publicly on the reasoning behind the name, but his focus likely remained on the functionality of the invention rather than the coining of a catchy term.

What’s the Difference between “Rat” and “Mouse”?

The difference between a “rat” and a “mouse” mainly comes down to their size and features. Rats are generally larger than mice and have longer tails, bigger bodies, and thicker fur. They can also be more aggressive compared to mice. Mice, on the other hand, are smaller with smaller bodies, shorter tails, and finer fur. They are usually less aggressive and more timid than rats. Additionally, rats are known to cause more damage and carry more diseases compared to mice.

Plural of “Mouse”

The plural of “mouse” can be a bit tricky! Let’s break it down:

• Animal: For those delightful (or destructive) cheese-loving creatures, the proper plural is mice. This follows a common pattern for some nouns ending in “-ouse,” where we change the ending to “-ice.” However, it’s important to note that this isn’t a universal rule. “House” becomes “houses,” but “blouse” becomes “blouses.”

• Computer Device: For the helpful tool that controls your cursor, mice is the preferred plural form. This aligns with the animal plural and is becoming increasingly common. “Mouses” is not necessarily wrong, but it’s less common.

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The reason for the two plurals lies in English’s irregular plurals. These are nouns that don’t follow the standard “-s” or “-es” addition for pluralization. “Mouse” is one such example. “Mice” is the established irregular plural, while “mouses” is a less frequent variant.

Which One Should Be Used “Mouses” or “Mice”?

To clarify, “mice” is the only option for animal mice. For computer devices, “mice” is the preferred choice, aligning with the animal plural and becoming increasingly common. You can also use “mouses,” though it’s less frequent and might sound outdated.

• Animal: For those delightful (or destructive) cheese-loving creatures, mice is the only correct plural form.

• Computer Device: For the helpful tool that controls your cursor, mice is the preferred plural form. This aligns with the animal plural and is becoming increasingly common. You can also use mouses, though it’s less frequent and might sound a touch outdated, especially to younger generations.

Mouses vs Mice

In short:

For both the fuzzy critters and their technological counterparts, “mice” is the preferred pluralization (even though it’s an irregular plural for the animal). When referring to computer mice, “mouses” is technically acceptable (acting as a standard plural), but it’s less common and might sound outdated. So, to ensure clear and up-to-date communication, “mice” is the recommended choice for both animal and computer mice.

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Origins of the Word “Mouse”

The tiny word “mouse” packs a surprising punch! For the fuzzy, cheese-loving creatures that have been around for centuries, the word’s origin stretches back to around 1300. It’s rooted in the Old English word “mūs,” which likely has even deeper connections to a much older Proto-Indo-European language.

The story gets even more curious when it comes to the helpful tool that controls our computer cursors. The exact reason for calling it a “mouse” remains a bit of a mystery. Some believe it’s due to the early models’ resemblance to a rodent with a cord-like tail. Another theory suggests it might have been a playful choice, referencing the “CAT” nickname for the early computer cursor, creating a fun cat-and-mouse dynamic on the screen.

Using “Mouse,” “Mice” and “Mouses” in Sentences

Mouse:

• I need to buy a new mouse for my computer because the old one stopped working.
• The little mouse hurried across the kitchen floor, looking for crumbs.
• Make sure to click the left button on the mouse to open the file.
• The mouse pointer on the screen allows you to navigate through the document.
• The computer lab has ergonomic mouses designed to reduce wrist strain.

Mice:

• There are several mice living in the attic; we need to find a way to keep them out.
• In scientific research, mice are commonly used as subjects for experiments.
• The museum’s exhibit features a display of taxidermied mice in various poses.
• Mice are known for their ability to squeeze through small openings to access food.
• Some people keep pet mice because they are small and easy to care for.

Mouses:

• He prefers using trackpads over traditional computer mouses for navigation.
• The company is releasing a new line of wireless mouses with advanced features.
• The computer technician explained that different mouses have varying levels of sensitivity.
• My grandmother still uses an old computer with a rollerball mouses.
• The classroom computers have ergonomic mouses to prevent repetitive strain injuries.

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Conclusion

In the end, whether we’re talking about those little furry creatures or the things we use to click on our computers, “mice” is the best way to talk about more than one of them. When it comes to computer stuff, you might hear “mouses” too, but it’s not as common. So, to keep things clear and sounding up-to-date, go with “mice” for both animals and computer gadgets. It’s just easier that way!

Sources

Merriam-Webster (Mouse Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster), Wikipedia (Mouse), Wikipeedia (Computer mouse) and Cambridge Dictionary (MICE | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary).