0
The saying "playing possum" comes from the tendency of the American opossum (which is not a true possum) to fall into a deathlike stupor when threatened.
An animal that "plays possum" actually goes into a state of physiological suspension whereupon it appears to be quite dead. This is a defence mechanism to avoid being attacked by a predator, and is quite involuntary.
The term should actually be "playing opossum" as this behaviour is shown by North American opossums, not true possums of the Oceania region.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What does possum mean?
you possum.
What does te possum mean?
you possum.
What does Una you possum mean?
The latin term "Una We Possum", means "Together We Can"!!!! Una We Possum = Together We Can
What is the meaning of the idiom playing possum?
This expression's meaning may be guessed from the words in it, so it is not an idiom. To play possum is to deceive an attacker by pretending to be dead or vanquished, as the possum proverbially does.
What did possum mean in the Civil war?
buddy
What animals play dead to distract people?
i think its a possum
Where did the saying to be or not to become from?
If you mean "To be or not to be", it's from the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare.
What kind of marsupial that sometimes avoid danger by Play Dead?
a possum
What does dreaming of a Possum mean?
Changes in your life will occur
Who does Avril Lavigne play in Over the Hedge?
Avril Lavigne plays Heather the teenage possum on Over the Hedge.
What does it mean to say Play the ball not the man?
Listen to WHAT is being said instead of WHO is saying it!
What is another way of saying in this play?
Another way of saying " in this play " is " in that play" or " inside the play"
