Did You Know?

What do turtles have in common with the computer?

Whether you think the plural should be mice or mouses — some dictionaries accept both! — there’s no denying which animal the ubiquitous device is named after.

Or is there?

It turns out that early versions were named, yes, turtles, as the gadget’s hard, protective shell covers the important parts within. (You can even buy ones intentionally shaped like a turtle.) 

That said, the current name is so well known that it’s the same in several languages — many don’t even translate it into their own word for “mouse.”

Actually, if it were up to your Chums, they should still be called “turtles” as they really do resemble turtles more than mice! In fact, we are going to start calling them our turtles.

In the name of turtles, here’s to you!