Do you say the O in opossum?

'Opossum,' O Lovely 'Possum' Both possum and opossum correctly refer to the Virginia opossum frequently seen in North America. In common use, possum is the usual term; in technical or scientific contexts opossum is preferred. Opossum can be pronounced with its first syllable either voiced or silent .

Is the O silent in the word opossum?

The O in "opossum" is spelled but not pronounced. It is a silent letter, just like the H in the word "honest." The articles "a" and "an" are correctly based on the first pronounced letter, not simply the first letter.

Why do we not pronounce the O in opossum?

People in this region do not usually pronounce the “O”. Possums are native to Australia. When English explorers first met the Australian creature, they thought it looked like the North American Opossum. As a result, they called it a possum and recorded the name like North Americans would pronounce it (without the “O“).

Is there an O in front of possum?

The common name of the Virginia opossum, the only marsupial species native to North America, is usually pronounced “oh-possum” when spelled with the initial “o.” However, many people shorten the word to “possum” for convenience, much as we abbreviate words like “you are” to “you're.” Spelling it “opossum” but not ...

What is the plural for possum?

The plural form of possum is possums. E.g. ''There are two possums in my apple tree. ''

Zootopia Mr Big scenes

Are opossums blind?

They're not blind.

Contrary to popular belief, opossums aren't blind at all. They just have terrible eyesight during the day. Their pupils are always dilated, and as nocturnal animals, an opossum's eyesight improves drastically at night.

Where did the opossum get its name?

In North America, the animal officially called an opossum is a white and gray marsupial of the order Didelphimorphia. English colonists living in Jamestown derived the word from its equivalent in Powhatan, a language spoken by the Virginia Algonquian tribe. Literally, the word means “white dog or beast” in Powhatan.

What does it mean when someone calls you a possum?

The word possum is an informal, regional variation on opossum that's only used in North America. It's especially common in the phrase "playing possum," which refers to the possum's involuntary reaction to fear or harm, falling into a death-like faint, and also to a person who pretends to be innocent.

Should you pronounce the L in Almond?

More recent standard dictionaries say we can now properly pronounce “almond” either with or without the “l” sound. I consulted American Heritage (4th ed.), Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (11th ed.), Webster's New World College Dictionary (4th ed.), and the Random House Webster's College Dictionary.

Is it pronounced salmon or Samon?

In English, the correct pronunciation of salmon is sam-un. The "l" in salmon is silent. However, in certain dialects and varieties of English salmon is occasionally pronounced with an "l".

What does an American opossum sound like?

The North American opossum makes a hissing sound or a low growl when threatened or angry and a clicking sound to attract the attention of their young. Young opossums often make a sneezing sound. Opossums are usually silent, so there is generally more than one if you hear them in your house.

What do Australian guys call their girlfriend?

Aussie Nicknames for Girlfriends and Wives

There are many terms of endearment that can be used for the woman in your life - sweetheart, angel, boo, love, bebé (the latter nicked from Spanish nicknames).

What does dirty possum mean?

Opossums are also called possums, and the colloquial phrase used when they play dead is "playing possum." These omnivorous, cat-sized mammals often get a bad rap, thought of as dirty, hissing creatures that lurk around your garbage cans at night.

Why do Australians call people possums?

1. Possum is a term of endearment, not just a nighttime rodent. Sure, the standard “darling” and “babe” still apply, but there seems to be a slight misunderstanding when it comes to what non-Australian women want to hear when kissed good night.

What is a group of opossums called?

Group Name: Passel. Size: Length from nose to tail: 2.5 feet. Weight: 8.8 to 13.2 pounds. Size relative to a 6-ft man: There are several dozen different species of opossum, which are often called possums in North America.

Why do opossums have 13 nipples?

The opossum is the only marsupial in North America. The female usually gives birth to 18 to 25 babies, each smaller than a honey bee. The mother has only 13 nipples so if a baby doesn't latch on to one it will not survive. Once the baby finds a nipple it will hang on tight and will not let go for six weeks.

What is a female opossum called?

Baby opossums, like baby kangaroos, are called joeys; adult male and female opossums are jacks and jills.

Do possums purr?

Opossums are very quiet creatures. You are far more likely to see one long before hearing any noises from it. When threatened they often will hiss, much like a cat, and can make a low growling sound. Some have reported hearing opossums softly purring to their young, though I have never been so privileged.

Do possums eat cats?

Opossums do not prey on cats or other larger mammals but will attack them if cornered, or if competing for food. Opossums cause loss to home gardens by eating nuts, berries, fruits, and grapes. They eat pet food left outside and may raid compost bins.

Do possums eat their babies?

Cannibalism has been found to be a normal behavior in many animal species in the wild. It may be part of natural selection, a way to eliminate a young or old animal that is sick or unhealthy.

Which is correct octopuses or octopi?

The three plurals for octopus come from the different ways the English language adopts plurals. Octopi is the oldest plural of octopus, coming from the belief that words of Latin origin should have Latin endings. Octopuses was the next plural, giving the word an English ending to match its adoption as an English word.

What do you call more than 1 moose?

Meese? Despite what a certain honking bird whose singular form rhymes with that of "moose" might suggest, the plural of "moose" is not "meese." It's just "moose." One moose, three moose, a herd of moose.

What is Platypus plural?

plural platypuses also platypi\ ˈpla-​ti-​ˌpī , -​ˌpē \

Do Australians Say Shag?

Editor's comments: Believe it or not, but "shag" in its sexual meaning dates way back to the 1700s! It is venerable slang, and still widely used in British slang, US slang, and Australian and NZ slang.