Literally, the word means “white dog or beast” in Powhatan. In the mid-17th century, a creature of curious proportions was caught in Virginia and brought to the Royal Society in London for observation. Enough with the cuteness, and on to a great story of language: What is the difference between possum and opossum? No one believes the poor child because the possum hides behind a tree when the adults come to answer the knock. However, the word without the o refers to something very different outside of North America. These are among the classic movies every filmgoer should see before they go to that big cinema in the sky. The possum and the opossum are both hunted animals and possess an instinct to play dead, or “play possum” when threatened. Their name does derive from opossum. For a split second, he thought about the wisdom of playing possum, but he decided if it were Powderface’s son, he would soon be playing possum with arrows in his back. In the article mentioned at the beginning, the final clue to the identity of the mysterious backyard visitor was this: “if you so much as say a word to one of them, they freeze in their tracks, bear their teeth, and start hissing and groveling with mouths dripping in spit.” Yes, it’s the opossum. Terri is an American, but she owns a zoo in Queensland, Australia. There are a few reasons—including a little something to do with the horse and buggy. Tone vs. Let’s look at some examples. The possum is primarily gray in color. If so, let us know by emailing us at bigquestions@mentalfloss.com. Like a lot of wildlife, they are completely misunderstood. Heidi has made headlines across the globe and has over 200,000 fans on Facebook. For instance, most would assume that an Australian saying “possum” is referring to the animal that lives in his native country. This article contains affiliate links to products selected by our editors. In English, the phrase is used when someone pretends to be asleep, dead, or ignorant of a situation. The Japan Times used the phrase in advice about how to avoid a bear attack: The Times Live reported how an athlete used “playing possum” as a strategy to win: The final example is from a book called With No Steps to Follow by David Allen Barton. Virginia opossums are the only North American marsupials. With their signature bare tail, the opossum is North America’s only known marsupial; this means the animal carries its young in a pouch much like the Australian kangaroo. From durable jackets to unusual board games, here are some of the best gifts for dads (and hubbies) we found online. Both the possum and the opossum are nocturnal, nomadic omnivores and live on an expansive diet that includes insects, frogs, birds, snakes and fruits. The official name for this species of marsupial is Phalangeriformes, but the common name possums has entered into modern usage. In North America, the animal officially called an opossum is a white and gray marsupial of the order Didelphimorphia. So where do possums fit into this narrative? Already your lungs have flown away like a bird and your guts have slithered away like a snake. Its body goes limp, it drools, and it even emits an odor that imitates the smell of a decaying animal. We really need to raise the bar.” “Had a weird dream last night that I was a muffler. The ears of a possum are larger than that of the Virginia opossum, and their fur is softer and much more bushy. “We had snakes and goannas mostly, but also orphaned roo joeys, sugar gliders, and possums,” Steve said about these humble beginnings. On the other hand, Bill Watterson makes it clear that he is dropping the O of opossum by adding an apostrophe in its place. Sign Up Today: Get exclusive deals, product news, reviews, and more with the Mental Floss Smart Shopping newsletter! The answer is more complex and interesting than you might think. The key differentiator, however, is the Australian possum has a bushy tail covered in fur (hence the name). Each set comes with the logo and color scheme of a different MLB franchise. A small child tries to tell her family that it’s a possum sporting a top hat and vest who is knocking, but they don’t see anything when they open the door. Sir Joseph Banks, a British botanist, thought they looked enough like the American opossum to give them a similar name. Possums appear in poetry too. In North America, the animal officially called an opossum is a white and gray marsupial of the order Didelphimorphia. Coach Graham Hill said they wanted an outside lane for the final so he could try to shoot away unnoticed. Check. Stay rugged, friends. She has quite a few memorable escapades as she steals food from the dog’s bowl, almost gets captured by an owl, and makes friends with other animals and the Green family. Crafted in exquisite topographical detail, they’ll definitely get his visitors talking. “Terror” vs. “Horror”: Which One Is Worse? Merriam-Webster, Grammarly, and Dictionary.com all note that the word is pronounced uh-possum, with the first vowel voiced. However, if you’re opting for the shortened version, possum, then it’s fine to omit the o sound. Maps make great décor for a man who likes to travel. Its fur is bushier and softer. Is there a difference between an opossum and a possum? You know he is talking about the opossum of North America because he makes reference to its unique tendency to faint as if dead when threatened: Another author, Amy Rowland, makes reference to the grayish-white color of the opossum. However, if an American says “possum” to an Australian, it might be unclear which animal is the subject of discussion. The opossum is primarily dark gray in color but some resemble cinnamon, and, as in Heidi’s case, white opossums are known to exist. Ever wonder why Americans always vote in federal elections on Tuesdays? “Hallowmas” vs. “All Saints’ Day”: What’s The Day After Halloween Actually Called? Opossums are commonly known as possums in the southern United States. In 2012, then-Historian of the Senate Don Ritchie told NPR that strategy resulted in chaos, a "crazy quilt of elections" held all across the country at different times to pick the electors—the white, male property owners who would cast their votes for president on the first Wednesday of December. However, if you are talking to a fellow American, he will likely know exactly what a possum is. Your writing, at … Or he can cut out the middle man and prepare a delicious, bagel-ready omelet at home in just 60 seconds.
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