4 ms·
Probably the least interesting part of the entire article, but if you want to go there - "Although it is often supposed that octopi is the ‘correct’ plural of
by cuboidGoat 8y ago
Probably the least interesting part of the entire article, but if you want to go there -
"Although it is often supposed that octopi is the ‘correct’ plural of octopus, and it has been in use for longer than the usual Anglicized plural octopuses, it in fact originates as an error. Octopus is not a simple Latin word of the second declension, but a Latinized form of the Greek word oktopous, and its ‘correct’ plural would logically be octopodes."
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/explore/what-are-the-plurals-of-octopus-hippopotamus-syllabus/ https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/explore/what-are-the-plura...
- singularity2001 8y agooctopodes such a beautiful plural, hope it spreads.
- mygo 8y agooctopodes. so misunderstood. but in all seriousness, language is a social construct. If someone says “octopuses” and everyone understands that they mean “more than one octopus”, then the communication was successful. And if enough people use it, then we’re looking at a successful new word. For better or worse.
- cuboidGoat 8y agoAlso, we are writing modern english, not ancient latin or greek, so the anglicanised form is fine anyway, as it isn't a sudden neologism looking to find widespread use. Rather it is the common natural pluralisation of octopus in english.
- amelius 8y agoNow this makes me wonder what is the singular form of octopedes ... octopes? ;) (From Latin pes -> pedes)