The Strange Plurals of ‘Ox’ and ‘Fox’: A Fun Language Adventure

English is a fascinating language, full of rules that sometimes feel more like riddles than guidelines. One of the quirkiest puzzles learners encounter is how certain words form their plurals. You can probably guess how “dog” becomes “dogs” or how “cat” turns into “cats.” But what about ox and fox? At first glance, they look like they should follow the same rule. Yet one becomes oxen while the other takes the much more familiar form foxes.

This odd split between “ox” and “fox” reveals more than just a funny linguistic twist. It opens a window into the history of the English language, its deep Germanic roots, and the tug-of-war between tradition and simplification. Why did we keep “oxen” alive while letting “foxen” fade away? What other words once shared this quirky “-en” plural ending? And how do linguists explain why some irregular forms survive while others vanish?

In this article, we’ll take a journey through history, linguistics, and everyday speech. Along the way, you’ll discover:

• Why oxen is still correct today, even though it sounds old-fashioned.
• How “foxes” avoided becoming “foxen” despite sharing a similar shape.
• The fascinating world of other strange plurals like “geese,” “children,” and “mice.”
• How humor, pop culture, and fantasy keep lost plural forms alive.
• Practical examples, tables, and fun activities that make this language adventure memorable.

Whether you’re a student, teacher, writer, or just a curious word lover, this guide will help you see English plurals in a whole new light.

The Basics of Plurals in English

English plurals usually follow a simple rule: add -s to the end of the word. For example:

• One book → two books
• One car → three cars
• One apple → four apples

If the noun ends in a hissing or buzzing sound (like s, x, sh, ch, or z), we add -es to make pronunciation smoother:

• One bus → two buses
• One match → two matches
• One fox → two foxes

So far, so good. Most learners master this within their first weeks of studying English. But then they run into irregular plurals that don’t fit the pattern.

Examples of irregular plurals:

This is where “ox” and “fox” diverge. While fox follows the expected “-es” ending, ox keeps its archaic -en ending, a relic of Old English

The Odd Case of “Ox” → “Oxen”

The plural oxen is one of the last survivors of a once-common plural pattern in English. To understand it, we need to go back a thousand years.

Old English Roots

The word ox comes from Old English oxa. In Old English, one of the plural endings was -en. Several words used this pattern:

• ox → oxen
• child → children
• brother → brethren

Over time, most “-en” plurals disappeared, replaced by the simpler -s ending. But “oxen” held on, likely because oxen were central to farming life and traditions in early English society. Their cultural importance helped preserve the form.

Other Surviving “-en” Plurals

Only a handful of these forms remain in modern English:

• Ox → Oxen
• Child → Children
• Brother → Brethren (used in religious or fraternal contexts)
  

All other “-en” plurals faded away. Imagine if we still said “housen” for “houses” or “eyen” for “eyes.”

This shows the direct line from ancient Germanic languages into today’s English.

Fun Fact

Did you know that in German, the plural of Ochse (ox) is Ochsen? The English “oxen” mirrors this Germanic pattern almost perfectly.

The Logical Case of “Fox” → “Foxes”

Now let’s turn to fox. Unlike ox, it follows the regular plural rule for nouns ending in “x”: just add -es.

• One fox → two foxes

This makes sense because “foxs” would be hard to pronounce. Adding “-es” creates a smooth ending.

History of “Fox”

The word fox also comes from Old English (fox), but unlike ox, it never took the “-en” plural. Instead, it stayed with the productive plural system that eventually dominated English: the -s / -es rule.

Why Not “Foxen”?

Linguists believe foxen didn’t survive because “fox” wasn’t as culturally important as “ox.” Oxen were essential for farming, pulling plows, and survival. Foxes, meanwhile, were clever pests or hunted animals. Language tends to preserve irregular forms for words people use often or value highly.

Example Sentences

• “The farmer yoked two oxen to plow the field.”
• “The forest was home to several red foxes.”

Both plural forms are correct today, even though they follow very different rules.

Why the Plurals Split Paths

At first glance, “ox” and “fox” should have shared the same fate. Yet only “oxen” survived. Why?

Historical Shifts

• In Old English, many nouns had -en plurals.
• Over centuries, most were replaced by -s forms.
• “Oxen” survived due to cultural importance.
• “Foxen” faded because it was less necessary in daily life.
  

Influence of Germanic Roots

The -en plural comes from Proto-Germanic. In German, as we saw, Ochsen remains. In Dutch, it’s ossen. The survival of “oxen” in English shows just how strong this root was.

Frequency of Usage

Words used often tend to keep their irregular forms. For example:

• Children survives instead of “childs.”
• Men survives instead of “mans.”
• Oxen survived while “foxen” didn’t.

If you hardly ever use a word, the irregular plural feels strange, and people stop using it.

What If We Said “Foxen”?

Some writers and comedians have joked about “foxen.” It sounds playful, almost like a word from a fantasy novel. But it never became part of standard English.

Fun With “Foxen” and Other Hypotheticals

Language play keeps old forms alive, even when they’re no longer standard.

Pop Culture Examples

• J.R.R. Tolkien occasionally used archaic plural forms like “oxen” and “children” to give his stories an old-world feel.
• Comedy sketches and memes sometimes use “foxen” to poke fun at irregular plurals.
  

Invented Plurals

English speakers sometimes playfully extend irregular patterns:

• One moose → two “meese” (actually, it’s just “moose”).
• One box → two “boxen” (instead of boxes).
• One goose → two “geeses” (but the real plural is geese).

This shows how flexible and humorous English can be.

Other Strange English Plurals

English is full of surprises. Here are some of the most famous irregular plurals:

Note: Not all irregular plurals are equally common. For example, “data” is widely used as a plural, but many treat it as singular in modern English.

What Linguists Say About Irregular Plurals

Linguists often study why certain irregular forms survive. Theories include:

• Frequency Hypothesis: Common words resist regularization.
• Cultural Importance: Words tied to tradition (oxen, children) stay irregular.
• Sound Patterns: Some irregulars are easier to pronounce than forced “-s” endings.

Quote from Linguist Steven Pinker

“Languages are not designed, they evolve. Irregular forms are fossils of older systems, reminders that language is shaped by history as much as by logic.”

How These Words Show Up Today

Everyday Use of “Ox”

The word ox is rare today. You’ll mostly see it in:

• Farming contexts
• Historical writing
• Phrases like “strong as an ox”
  

Everyday Use of “Fox”

The word fox is common in:

• Wildlife and nature discussions
• Brand names (Fox News, Fox Racing)
• Metaphors (“sly as a fox”)

Idioms and Sayings

• “Strong as an ox” – symbol of power.
• “Sly as a fox” – symbol of cleverness.
  

Fun Language Activities for Readers

Here’s how you can play with plurals at home or in class:

Mini Quiz

Match the singular to its plural:

(Answer: Children, Geese, Oxen, Mice)

Word Game

Invent plurals for made-up animals:

• “One snorf → two ?”
• “One dribble → two ?”

Encourage creative thinking and pattern recognition.

Conclusion

The strange plurals of “ox” and “fox” remind us that English isn’t just a system of rules—it’s a living story of history, culture, and creativity. While “oxen” survived as a rare relic of the past, “foxes” shows how most words followed the smoother, simpler path. Together, they highlight the push and pull between tradition and innovation in language.

Irregular plurals may seem odd, but they add character and richness. They’re like little fossils of older times, carrying whispers of the past into modern conversations. Next time you say “oxen” or “foxes,” you’ll know you’re touching a piece of history.

FAQs

Why is it “oxen” and not “oxes”?

Because “ox” comes from Old English, which used the “-en” plural system. “Oxen” survived while most other “-en” plurals faded.

Did people ever say “foxen”?

There’s no evidence of “foxen” in standard English. It shows up in jokes and creative writing but never became official.

What are other examples of “-en” plurals?

The main ones are “children” and “brethren.” All others are lost.

Is “oxen” still used today?

Yes, though rarely. It appears in farming contexts, historical writing, or idioms like “strong as an ox.”

Why doesn’t English just standardize plurals?

Because irregular forms are part of history. Language changes slowly, and common irregulars stick around.

Lily Grace