"lice" as a collective noun.

Rick   Sat Aug 09, 2008 7:36 pm GMT
Yeah, I this this is a pretty disgusting topic, but can you use "lice" as a collective noun? I've heard people say things like "lice doesn't float", with that use of "doesn't" suggesting that its becoming a collective noun.
Rick   Sat Aug 09, 2008 7:38 pm GMT
That above should be, yeah, I know this is a disgusting topic.
Lazar   Sat Aug 09, 2008 8:35 pm GMT
<<I've heard people say things like "lice doesn't float", with that use of "doesn't" suggesting that its becoming a collective noun.>>

That usage sounds unnatural to me. I would use "lice" as a regular plural, just like "mice".
Uriel   Sat Aug 09, 2008 10:13 pm GMT
You would always say, "lice don't float", never "lice doesn't float". It's no more a collective noun than mice or children -- it's a plain old plural.