1. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Marsupial vs. Mammal (regionalism Q. for Australians)

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by Wreybies, Feb 1, 2016.

    Firstly, I 100% know the difference between a placental mammal, a marsupial mammal and a monotreme. I don't need a lesson in mammal biology or evolution.

    My question is in reference to regional use of words in Australia.

    I was watching an episode of Please Like Me wherein a possum gets run over. They go back and forth as to whether it's a possum or a rabbit. At one point in the exchange one character calls the unfortunate animal a marsupial and then the MC points out that it's a rabbit and says, "see it's a mammal!"

    My question is: Is this just part of the scripting of the show, a peculiarity of the character, or does this point to a more general tendency to call placentals "mammals" and marsupials "marsupials" in Australia?

    Thanks in advance. :agreed:
     

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