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Which is your favourite plural of Octopus?
Octopuses?
Octopi? (the Latin-inspired plural)
Octopodes? (The Greek-inspired plural?)
6 Answers
- Anonymous9 years agoFavorite Answer
Great question!!
I have run the gamut though, and know all the niggling details, so I will accept the simple octopuses.
If you say octopuses, people leave you alone. If you aspire to octopi, an octopodes pedant could come along and try to school you.
If you say octopodes, an ULTRA uber pedant could come along and try to school you.
Best to just say octopuses and know the truth and not get pestered by those who only know part of the truth.
- 9 years ago
Definatley Octopi :) However to those saying the Greek and Latin versions are incorrect, English is a medley of other lanuages. Lots of our words come from Greek or Latin, whats wrong with using a plural for Octopus from one of these languages?
Besides languages are fluid. The words commonly used are changing all the time. Not so long ago people would have complained about the use of the word 'cool' to mean 'funky' or 'good'. If a large enough amount of people choose to use a word for a certain meaning then it sort of becomes correct just be common use. If enough people choose to say Octopi or Octopodes then they will become correct, despite origin. There are lots of words that we uses all the time where this will have been true.
:)
- NeilLv 79 years ago
It's not a matter of 'favourite'. It is a matter of 'correct'.
'Octopus', as you have mentioned, is of Greek origin. The correct English plural is 'octopuses'. (It is the same with 'hippopotamuses').
'Octopi' and 'hippopotami' (mixing Latin plurals with Greek bases) is just wrong.
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- Anonymous9 years ago
Octopussies.