Plural of octopus discussion split from EP167

[Ersatz Coffee]

I had much the same reaction as Wintermute. And grumpy-old-man style irritation with the use of the word 'octopi' (though maybe this linguistic abomination is tolerated in US English?).

[WillMoo]

I had much the same reaction as Wintermute. And grumpy-old-man style irritation with the use of the word 'octopi' (though maybe this linguistic abomination is tolerated in US English?).

From The Oxford English Dictionary: The plural form octopodes reflects the Greek plural; compare OCTOPOD n. The more frequent plural form octopi arises from apprehension of the final -us of the word as the grammatical ending of Latin second declension nouns;

"Octopi" is perfectly allowable. I will comment on the story later.

[Ersatz Coffee]

I had much the same reaction as Wintermute. And grumpy-old-man style irritation with the use of the word 'octopi' (though maybe this linguistic abomination is tolerated in US English?).

From The Oxford English Dictionary: The plural form octopodes reflects the Greek plural; compare OCTOPOD n. The more frequent plural form octopi arises from apprehension of the final -us of the word as the grammatical ending of Latin second declension nouns;

"Octopi" is perfectly allowable. I will comment on the story later.

Don't have access to the latest OED. Every dictionary I've ever owned has stated that 'octopi' is incorrect.

According to wikipedia:

The Oxford English Dictionary (2004 update) lists octopuses, octopi and octopodes (in that order); it labels octopodes "rare", and notes that octopi derives from the mistaken assumption that octopus is a second declension Latin noun, which it is not. ...

Chambers 21st Century Dictionary and the Compact Oxford Dictionary list only octopuses, although the latter notes that octopodes is "still occasionally used"; the British National Corpus has 29 instances of octopuses, 11 of octopi and 4 of octopodes. Merriam-Webster 11th Collegiate Dictionary lists octopuses and octopi, in that order; Webster's New World College Dictionary lists octopuses, octopi and octopodes (in that order).

Fowler's Modern English Usage states that "the only acceptable plural in English is octopuses," and that octopi is misconceived and octopodes pedantic.

Looks like there is a definite US/UK divide on the question.

[Talia]

I had much the same reaction as Wintermute. And grumpy-old-man style irritation with the use of the word 'octopi' (though maybe this linguistic abomination is tolerated in US English?).

From The Oxford English Dictionary: The plural form octopodes reflects the Greek plural; compare OCTOPOD n. The more frequent plural form octopi arises from apprehension of the final -us of the word as the grammatical ending of Latin second declension nouns;

"Octopi" is perfectly allowable. I will comment on the story later.

Don't have access to the latest OED. Every dictionary I've ever owned has stated that 'octopi' is incorrect.

According to wikipedia:

The Oxford English Dictionary (2004 update) lists octopuses, octopi and octopodes (in that order); it labels octopodes "rare", and notes that octopi derives from the mistaken assumption that octopus is a second declension Latin noun, which it is not. ...

Chambers 21st Century Dictionary and the Compact Oxford Dictionary list only octopuses, although the latter notes that octopodes is "still occasionally used"; the British National Corpus has 29 instances of octopuses, 11 of octopi and 4 of octopodes. Merriam-Webster 11th Collegiate Dictionary lists octopuses and octopi, in that order; Webster's New World College Dictionary lists octopuses, octopi and octopodes (in that order).

Fowler's Modern English Usage states that "the only acceptable plural in English is octopuses," and that octopi is misconceived and octopodes pedantic.

Looks like there is a definite US/UK divide on the question.

I think a fight to the death is the only rational way to solve the octopi/octopuses question.

[wintermute]

I think a fight to the death is the only rational way to solve the octopi/octopuses question.

But how are we going to get the octopodlings to fight? Do you think we can train them to use knives?

[WillMoo]

I think a fight to the death is the only rational way to solve the octopi/octopuses question.

But how are we going to get the octopodlings to fight? Do you think we can train them to use knives?

I think you have the premise for the next story!

[Talia]

I think a fight to the death is the only rational way to solve the octopi/octopuses question.

But how are we going to get the octopodlings to fight? Do you think we can train them to use knives?

Octopus-pi-podlings-podes are smart critters. Just arm a bunch of males and introduce a hot octogirl into the mix. Competition will take its due course.

[jrderego]

I'm in! Notice my threat display!!!!!!

[wherethewild]

It would be so totally more impressive here if it wasn't 25mm long.



(And I am fully aware that this is a squid, but I really couldn't go past the image. And if octopodes and octopi are involved, why not just go cephalopod silly?)

[Tango Alpha Delta]

(Does anyone else think it's silly to say it's "wrong" in English, just because it's Greek, and not Latin?)

Russian:  ОСЬМИНОГ, plural: ОСЬМИНОГИ

All better. 

[Bdoomed]

Looks like there is a definite US/UK divide on the question.

I think a fight to the death is the only rational way to solve the octopi/octopuses question.

it was called the revolutionary war, we won.

(Does anyone else think it's silly to say it's "wrong" in English, just because it's Greek, and not Latin?)

Russian:  ОСЬМИНОГ, plural: ОСЬМИНОГИ

All better. 

that works

[wintermute]

Looks like there is a definite US/UK divide on the question.

I think a fight to the death is the only rational way to solve the octopi/octopuses question.

it was called the revolutionary war, we won.

But you lost the rematch in 1812...

[Tango Alpha Delta]

Looks like there is a definite US/UK divide on the question.

I think a fight to the death is the only rational way to solve the octopi/octopuses question.

it was called the revolutionary war, we won.

But you lost the rematch in 1812...

You're thinking of France.  Similar flags, I guess.

[Bdoomed]

Looks like there is a definite US/UK divide on the question.

I think a fight to the death is the only rational way to solve the octopi/octopuses question.

it was called the revolutionary war, we won.

But you lost the rematch in 1812...

You're thinking of France.  Similar flags, I guess.

yea! America doesn't lose wars, we just go into them wrongfully and pull out once we realize it.  like raping some girl at night but pulling out because you dont wanna make her pregnant