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| The ] is noted for its reaction to threat, which is to feign death. This is called "playing (o)possum". | The ] is noted for its reaction to threat, which is to feign death. This is called "playing (o)possum". | ||
| Though "opossum" is often pronounced, and even spelled "]", the latter word actually refers various similar ] of magnorder ], that live in ] and ]. | Though "opossum" is often pronounced, and even spelled "]", the latter word actually refers to various similar ] of magnorder ], that live in ] and ]. | ||
Revision as of 13:48, 9 November 2002
The word "opossum" (usually pronounced without the leading 'O', or with only a very slight schwa) refers either to the Virginia opossum in particular, or more generally to any of the other marsupials of magnorder Ameridelphia.
The name is from Algonquian wapathemwa, not Greek or Latin, so the plural is opossums, not *opossa.
The Virginia opossum is noted for its reaction to threat, which is to feign death. This is called "playing (o)possum".
Though "opossum" is often pronounced, and even spelled "possum", the latter word actually refers to various similar animals of magnorder Australidelphia, that live in Australia and New Zealand.