I wonder how closely related the North American and Australian opossums are? My dictionary says that they are "similar." It also says that the word is Virginian Algonquian. Have you other American Indian words in New Zealand?

There is a terrific children's book, the name of the author escapes me at the moment, called Possum Come A-Knockin'. Written in verse, it exhibits a wonderful sense of rhythm, infused with humor. I can't encounter a possum any more without thinking, "possum come a-knockin' at the door, at the door; possum come a-knockin' at the door."