When did the plural of fish become fishes? What happened? I have a college degree, and contrary to popular belief, my school was accredited. Seriously, didn’t more than one fish used to be fish? Like “Hey, look over there at all those fish”.
I must have missed the memo.
September 27, 2005
It must have changed when we started teaching “slang” to children in California. I can’t tell you how many children and adults I hear say fishes. These poor kids probably have a very difficult time in English! Teach them one way and expect them to know the right way!
The plural of fish is fish. Although fishes is used as a plural “in referring to different species.” In other words, unless you’re a fish expert, don’t use fishes.
In our house, however, fishies is often an acceptable plural form.
Personally, I blame 3 Dog Night. “Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea. Joy to you and me.”
Hey, yeah. F 3 Dog Night!
sometimes I say “fishy-s” wait. lemme try that again..fish-eeee-s
knowing its wrong. but I figured the eeeeeeeeeeee makes it silly and therfore ok.
I blame Jesus. He’s the one that’s always feeding people with three loaves and five fishes–or is it the other way around?
If I said F Jesus, do you think people would take it the wrong way?
I wouldn’t…
You wouldn’t say it, or you wouldn’t take it the wrong way?
I was thinking the same thing as Mister Hand.
“And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.”
Matt. 14:17
But then there’s also passages such as:
“Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?”
Num. 11:22
I guess ol’ King James couldn’t make up his mind. Now you’ve given me an idea for a bumper sticker.
F
The Messiah
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! This is such a funny post! And I thought us kindergarten teachers were the only ones that run into the latest vocab.
~Eyes
Who wants to sleep with the fishes?