"If you found out its meaning, you must have seen its derivation." "Oppositus," said Tom, twisting his fingers, and gazing first at Ethel, then at Harry, in hopes of being prompted, then at the ceiling and floor, the while he drawled out the word with a whine, "why, oppositus from op-posor." "A poser! ain't it ?" said Harry.
"Don't, Harry, you distract him," said Richard.

"Come, Tom, say at once whether you know it or not--it is of no use to invent." "From op-" and a mumble.
"What?
I don't hear--op--" Tom again looked for help to Harry, who made a mischievous movement of his lips, as if prompting, and, deceived by it, he said boldly, "From op-possum." "That's right! let us hear him decline it!" cried Harry, in an ecstasy.
"Oppossum, opottis, opposse, or oh-pottery!" "Harry," said Richard, in a gentle reasonable voice, "I wish you would be so kind as not to stay, if you cannot help distracting him." And Harry, who really had a tolerable share of forbearance and consideration, actually obeyed, contenting himself with tossing his book into the air and catching it again, while he paused at the door to give his last unsolicited assistance.

"Decline oppossum you say.

I'll tell you how: O-possum re-poses up a gum tree.

O-pot-you-I will, says the O-posse of Yankees, come out to ketch him.