 The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Of Mice and Men (...who wish to call mice, "mouses") Major Keary |
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| There has been some recent discussion about the plural of
'mouse' as used to describe the small hand-held device that is moved over a flat surface to produce a
corresponding movement of a cursor or some other symbol on a visual display unit. The term was coined in a computer context in 1965 - when Bill Gates was ten years old - by Douglas Engelbart to describe a device that he conceived and developed. Engelbart, incidentally, was one of the pioneers of networking, and of what we know as hypertext. In 1977 - just two years after Bill and Paul Allen set up Microsoft - Scientific American (234/2) used the term: "input [is made] through a typewriter-like keyboard and a pointing device called a mouse, which controls the position of an arrow on the screen .". The Apple IIc (1984) was 'mouse-enabled'; the Apple IIc User Guide is quoted by the Oxford English Dictionary: "There are two main types of 'mice', mechanical and optical". The authoritative Encyclopedia of Graphic Communications defines a mouse and adds, "Most mice have one, two, or three buttons used for selecting screen objects". |
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Mice? Well, there you are; the plural was first recorded as 'mice'.
However, Microsoft's Manual of Style for Technical Writers, under the heading, Referring to
the mouse correctly, says, "Avoid using the plural mice; if you need to refer to more than one mouse, use
mouse devices. Never use mice in a specific reference to the Microsoft Mouse". The penalty for
using mice in a specific reference to the Microsoft Mouse is not revealed. Even the most ardent disliker of
Microsoft would have to admit the commonsensicality of mouse devices.
One should note that in neither OED or the Microsoft style manual is there a mention of the abomination,
mouses. However, to give the `mouses' school - or the mouseketeers - some comfort, Wired Style
(1966) says, "We prefer mouses. Mice is just too suggestive of furry little critters. But both
terms are common, so take your pick. We actually emailed Engelbart to see what he'd say. His answer? 'Haven't
given the matter much thought'". Come to think of it, I can't recollect having seen either term used by
Wired.
On the subject of the word suggesting 'furry little critters', mouse has a long history of being used
for things other than an animal of any of the smaller species of the genus Mus of rodents. It was used
in nineteenth century American for "a small round cushion-shaped hair-pad" [OED] (and rat was used for a
larger round cushion-shaped .). It was - and may still be - used by plumbers, carpenters, and mariners for
small attachments to wires, cords, and ropes in a variety of applications.
On another note, back in 1992 PC Update contains the following information under the title, Mouse
Balls;
". an actual alert to IBM Field Engineers.
"Abstract: Mouse Balls Available as FRU (Field Replacement Unit).
"Mouse Balls are now available as FRU. Therefore, if a mouse fails to operate or should it perform
erratically, it may need a ball replacement. Because of the delicate nature of this procedure, replacement of
mouse balls should only be attempted by properly trained personnel.
"Before proceeding determine the type of mouse balls by examining the underside of the mouse. Domestic balls
will be larger and harder than foreign balls.
"Ball removal procedures differ depending on the manufacture of the mouse. Foreign balls can be replaced
using the pop-off method. Mouse balls are not usually static sensitive. However, excessive handling can
result in sudden discharge.
"Upon completion of ball replacement, the mouse may be used immediately. It is recommended that each replacer
have a pair of spare balls for maintaining optimum customer satisfaction, and that any customer missing his
balls should suspect local personnel of removing these necessary items.
"To reorder, specify one of the following:
P/N 33f8462-Domestice Mouse Balls
P/N 33f8461-Foreign Mouse Balls"
[I suspect that the lower case 'f' represents a character that was wrongly interpreted by the Ventura
Publisher software].
Reprinted from the May 2002 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
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