flittermouse, n. : “A bat; an animal that has the fur of a mouse, and membranes which answer the purpose of wings, and enable the animal to sustain itself in a fluttering flight” (Webster). (Pronounced flit’-ter-mouse, like glitter-mouse; plural, flittermice; also flickermouse or flickermice)
I know people probably don’t use the word bat very much, but this was so fun I couldn’t resist. Personally, I like flickermouse best (and I love that the plural is flickermice!).
I’m keeping this word in mind for Halloween. Maybe trips to the zoo too…
As soon as his mom’s shriek emanated from the bedroom above him, Jason sighed. Slumping his shoulders, he stood and moved toward the staircase. Another flickermouse must have gotten in through the open window again. If only she would listen to him and get new screens…
“Hey, we should check out the flittermice.”
“Yeah sure, but I want to see the lions first. Wait, the what?”
“The flittermice. You know, the bats?”
“Flittermice?! What are you, some Shakespeare wannabe? Sheesh! You’re embarrassing me.”
“You’re just jealous of my superior vocabulary.”
“Right…”
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