Cuttlefishes

/ˈkʌtəlˌfɪʃɪz/ noun

Definition

Plural of cuttlefish; multiple members of the marine cephalopod family known for intelligence and color-changing ability.

Etymology

From 'cuttlefish' (cuttle + fish) pluralized with '-es.' The term 'fish' here is archaic usage; cuttlefish are mollusks, not fish.

Kelly Says

Despite their name, cuttlefishes aren't fish at all—they're mollusks related to snails, but medieval Europeans couldn't tell, so the misnomer stuck for a thousand years.

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