Saturday, May 14, 2016

Octopuses or Octopi

     Now here's a topic that could generate a few discussions. some discussions may even be a bit heated. And then other people may say, "Who cares?" .  Now the other day I heard a discussion of the plural on a radio show.

     Is the plural of octopus, octopi or octopuses? We see it written both ways and are not sure what is actually correct. It's one of those plurals that I fumble with and take the simplest one octopi.

     Well apparently both are correct according to your dictionary, but one is more correct than the other. Since octopus is of Greek origin the plural should be es. The pi ending is a Latin form and I can't find why it's used.

    So for a word that's not that common it creates an issue over it's plural.

Squid, Octopus, Fish, Meeresbewohner, Dry, Delicious



 

26 comments:

  1. You made me smile, have you ever eaten Octopus? English was not my strong suit:)

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    1. I hove no intention of eating octopus. I'm not a fan of seafood at all.

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  2. Well, to discuss an item about spelling in a foreign language is to difficult for me. Sorry, wish you a nice Sunday :)

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    1. Now wouldn't I be in trouble with Dutch grammar.

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  3. I would use the es but have seen it both ways. I was waiting to hear you were eating one.I have tried it twice.

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    1. I have no intention of trying octopus. I don't care much for sea food.

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  4. I always thought it was octopi, like cacti. Sometimes the ending has to do with whether you're talking about multiple species of something, versus several of the same species. With fish, for instance, fish is the plural unless you're talking about multiples of different species, in which case it's fishes. As I understand it.

    I think there may be a rule like that about cacti/cactuses too. Or I could be making the whole thing up.

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    1. Yes, I checked for cactus and it's the same as octopus. Good question.

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  5. Also heard it both ways. I like these discussions and always enjoy learning, thanks Red.

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    1. Yes, both can be used without any worry.

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  6. Well, since I'm of Greek origin, I guess I'll have to use octopuses :)

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    1. So you're part of the problem we have with rules. By the way do you speak any Greek? I wish I'd taken latin in high school.

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  7. I think I've used both terms, can't really say I'm prone to use one more than the other. I've never eaten octopus. I was happier before I saw one in real life. Ugly critters.

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    1. Steve points out that cactus works the same way.

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  8. I believe the correct term is octopi, I think

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    1. Well, don't be so fast. The es is first in the dictionary so that means it's preferred.

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    1. You can run with that one because it's right.

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  10. I haven't actually heard anyone say the plural form..so I haven't thought of it. The term octopuses sounds wrong for some reason and the octopi sounds too scientific and stuffy. I'm going to go with plain old octopus. LOL!

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    1. Steve points out that cactus works the same way.

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  11. Well, it's good to know that both are correct, just in case I need to say that I saw several octopuses at the aquarium. They capture and then release their octopi on a rotating basis.

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  12. Thanks for the clarification. For some reason octopuses just seemed more right to me, and now I know why! :-)

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  13. My problem has always been between oriented and orientated...until I looked it up.

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  14. See your last sentence. You have put "it's" where "its" belongs. That matters much more than the plural of "octopus" - unless of course you happen to be the owner of an octopus farm.

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  15. I love fish all kinds. I bet I would like Octopuses to eat.

    On a trip to Halifax. We headed to a fish place. I loved clams. Your making me hungry. I also like raw sushi. So does my Oldest Granddaughter.

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  16. I don't think anyone really cares about right or wrong these days! Especially on CBC!!!!

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