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.
You made me smile, have you ever eaten Octopus? English was not my strong suit:)
ReplyDeleteI hove no intention of eating octopus. I'm not a fan of seafood at all.
DeleteWell, to discuss an item about spelling in a foreign language is to difficult for me. Sorry, wish you a nice Sunday :)
ReplyDeleteNow wouldn't I be in trouble with Dutch grammar.
DeleteI would use the es but have seen it both ways. I was waiting to hear you were eating one.I have tried it twice.
ReplyDeleteI have no intention of trying octopus. I don't care much for sea food.
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI think there may be a rule like that about cacti/cactuses too. Or I could be making the whole thing up.
Yes, I checked for cactus and it's the same as octopus. Good question.
DeleteAlso heard it both ways. I like these discussions and always enjoy learning, thanks Red.
ReplyDeleteYes, both can be used without any worry.
DeleteWell, since I'm of Greek origin, I guess I'll have to use octopuses :)
ReplyDeleteSo 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.
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteSteve points out that cactus works the same way.
DeleteI believe the correct term is octopi, I think
ReplyDeleteWell, don't be so fast. The es is first in the dictionary so that means it's preferred.
DeleteI've always gone with octopi.
ReplyDeleteYou can run with that one because it's right.
DeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteSteve points out that cactus works the same way.
DeleteWell, 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.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the clarification. For some reason octopuses just seemed more right to me, and now I know why! :-)
ReplyDeleteMy problem has always been between oriented and orientated...until I looked it up.
ReplyDeleteSee 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.
ReplyDeleteI love fish all kinds. I bet I would like Octopuses to eat.
ReplyDeleteOn 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.
I don't think anyone really cares about right or wrong these days! Especially on CBC!!!!
ReplyDelete