If we have one goose and multiple geese, why is there one moose and multiple moose?
According to "Ask a Scientist":
"The word "moose" came to us from Algonquian Indians. Consequently
its plural, instead of being "mooses" or "meese", is the same as the
singular. That is true of most Indian names whether of a tribe, such as
the Winnebago and Potawatomi, or of an object such as papoose. It is
also true of many wildlife names not of Indian origin -- for example:
deer, mink and grouse."
A process of learning requires that we categorize items in order to make sense of new experiences that we must fit into a new category. Sometimes we experience a little disequilibrium trying to fit something into a category; subsequently we inquire and learn something new.
Language has traceable and fascinating origins. Taking the time to feed our curiosity can be interesting and rewarding. What other pluralization can we find that strays from the rule of add -s, -es? Can we explain it?
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