word choice - Is the plural of the electronic mouse "mouses" or "mice"?


Is the plural of that device that you plug into your computer mouses or mice? Which of these is correct?



I bought some wireless optical mouses for my colleagues at work.


I bought some wireless optical mice for my colleagues at work.



I prefer the first one though I'm not sure why. The second makes me think there are some weird mutated creatures running around under my desk.



Answer



Both plurals are correct. (Merriam-Webster.) I don't have access to Oxford English Dictionary at the moment (or don't know where to find it), but according to Answers.com, the OED concurs. So use whichever one you wish.


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