2006-06-29 05:41:57 · 21 answers · asked by blueyed 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Trivia
It's not that English is a crazy language.
English has borrowed many of its words from other languages. About 40% of English is actually French, derived from Latin.
Therefore, the words it has borrowed will follow the rules of the language.
"Moose" is an Abenaki-derived word for "elk." Abenaki is a Native American language and ethnic group.
"Goose" is an Indo-European words, from "ghans," though not from Latin.
2006-06-29 05:57:49 · answer #1 · answered by Professor Campos 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the same reason that the plural of Stewardess is not Stewarei and the plural of Hypopotamus is not Hypopotami
2006-07-07 10:15:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many plurals are differently spealt. Thats the way it is.
Then what about groups?
A flock of sheep, a school of fish, a group of boys, a herd of cows, ..
2006-07-07 23:44:01 · answer #3 · answered by bharat b 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the same reason that despite the plural of mouse being mice, the plural of house isn't hice.
2006-06-29 07:25:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The English language simply doesn't follow a real logic. Just like read, can have a different meaning depending on how you pronounced it.
2006-06-29 05:45:10 · answer #5 · answered by Roni 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure, but I'm guessing it has to do with the evolution of the English language from Indo-European -- Germanic -- Old English -- Middle English.
2006-06-29 05:53:29 · answer #6 · answered by PrincessBritty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
English is a complicated language, you could also ask why the letters ph make the f sound.
2006-06-29 05:44:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Then that old cartoon character that "hates those meeses to pieces" would not be understood. lol
2006-07-08 09:32:25 · answer #8 · answered by # one 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the English language is so messed up! It has to be one of the hardest languages to learn :-)
2006-06-29 05:45:03 · answer #9 · answered by H R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its too close to the plural of mouse, which is meeces.
i love those meeces to pieces!!!
(i am joking for the overly serious ppl out there)
2006-06-29 05:53:37 · answer #10 · answered by ladylawyer26 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋