Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
That's the problem: the pseudo-intellectuals assume it's a Latin word and try to sound clever by saying "octopi". Unfortunately for them, it's not Latin but Greek 
I was interested to learn in a previous thread on this topic that American dictionaries allow "octopi" as a legitimate plural, whether, for example, my Chambers (British) English dictionary says:
pl ocˈtopuses, octōˈpodēs (or /-topˈ/); ocˈtopī is wrong. |
I know no Latin or Greek other than thank you and you're welcome in Greek. I have seen octopi in print, but then again I have seen octopuses in print as well. I seem to recall noting that octopus was used as a plural also and have seen packages of whole octopodes labeled calamari. Who would think I had read so much about the subject and never even seen the word octopodes IIRC. Neither has my browser spellchecker BTW although I am certain the term is correct
If I ever order one from my fishmonger I will not be able to use anything but octopodes from now on. Just the way I am. Luckily I am not that fond of the stuff.
Helen