In ancient Greek πολύπους (polypus) is the more common and generic term, ὀκτάπους (octapus) the term for the animal, and ὀκτόπους (octopus) a possible synonym t

In ancient Greek πολύπους (polypus) is the more common and generic term, ὀκτάπους (octapus) the term for the animal, and ὀκτόπους (octopus) a possible synonym that seems to be used more often for the scorpion (which also has eight legs) or as an adjective for anything that is eight feet long or of eight square feet in size. Really, the English should be "octapus" or "polypus," and curmudgeons who want to feel superior to hoi illiterati polloi should cherish this treasure of pointless trivia.