Apparently English is more or less unique in this respect - are there any language experts that can shed some light on this? (shed - why can light be shed? I guess showed/shed? EDIT of course shed as in shed skin, to give off - maybe?)

A 'Rash' of Dermatologists? A 'Tantrum' of Decorators? Lol! Is there really some governing authority that declares these things official? I just use the old standby, "Alotta". ;)