is actually an opossum, possums being native to Australia (the Australian animal gets its name from the North American animal, which is derived from an Algonquin word).
Say what? Neal claims that there is a distinction between an opossum and a possum, but that's confusing apples and oranges. While it is true that there is an Australian animal called a possum, that has nothing to do with the fact that the common American abbreviated name for "opossum" is "possum," as in "playing possum" and of course the famous cartoon character, Pogo. Adam was being perfectly correct in referring to the opossum as a possum; that's standard colloquial American English.
I was pointing out that there are two distinct animals with similar names, one deriving its name from the other and that are commonly misidentified. More info on opossum here and here. The term possum for opossum is more common in the South than it is here. Adam, who I know grew up south of New England, can be forgiven for the misnomer, as can most of his southern compatriots. Growing up in the wilds of suburban Boston, where they are pretty common, we always called them opossum.
Sorry, but you're wrong Neal. You and the wilds of suburban Boston. Possums are in Australia, Opossums are from there. It doesn't matter WHERE you are from, you are wrong.
Larry, You are right.
Comments
North American Marsupial
Goes down under.
That possum
is actually an opossum, possums being native to Australia (the Australian animal gets its name from the North American animal, which is derived from an Algonquin word).
Linguistic error
Say what? Neal claims that there is a distinction between an opossum and a possum, but that's confusing apples and oranges. While it is true that there is an Australian animal called a possum, that has nothing to do with the fact that the common American abbreviated name for "opossum" is "possum," as in "playing possum" and of course the famous cartoon character, Pogo. Adam was being perfectly correct in referring to the opossum as a possum; that's standard colloquial American English.
Larry Davidson
What's your point?
I was pointing out that there are two distinct animals with similar names, one deriving its name from the other and that are commonly misidentified. More info on opossum here and here. The term possum for opossum is more common in the South than it is here. Adam, who I know grew up south of New England, can be forgiven for the misnomer, as can most of his southern compatriots. Growing up in the wilds of suburban Boston, where they are pretty common, we always called them opossum.
Sorry, You're wrong
Sorry, but you're wrong Neal. You and the wilds of suburban Boston. Possums are in Australia, Opossums are from there. It doesn't matter WHERE you are from, you are wrong.
Larry, You are right.