Originally Posted by Up North
We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,
But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,
Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.
I had posted in another thread (what are you reading) that I am currently reading (listening to actually) "The Adventure of English" by Melvyn Bragg. The book discusses the evolution of the English language. He mentioned, and read, the poem above. Thanks for the reminder of the poem - I had wanted to ask my husband if it was true that it used to be in every English schoolroom.
If your interested in the language - I highly recommend the book. I am loving it and non-fiction is not my usual cup of tea. It's absolutely fascinating.