“Octopuses”, “octopi” (because the word entered English via Latin) and “octopodes” (because the Latin word is based on Greek οκτοπους) are all acceptable, but “octopuses” is normal English. In particular, “octopodes” is not a scientific term, although “octopoda” is, as the name of the order.
I thought octopode was was the genus, not the plural? I would always go with octopi for the plural since octopuses is too much like octopussy, which causes way to much snickering in mixed company.
It’s their porpoise in life.
When a word is adopted into English from another language, it’s acceptable to pluralize it either according to the rules of its parent language, or according to the standard English rules, as the speaker prefers. Some are usually seen in their parent language’s form (“bacteria”, not “bacteriums”), some are usually seen in their English form (“forums”, not “fora”), and some are frequently seen in either (“cherubs” or “cherubim”).
The specific cases of “octopus” and “platypus” are peculiar, in that they come from Latin, but are not declined in that language in the way one might naively expect: They’re both 3rd declension rather than second, in deference to their Greek origins, meaning that the -i plural is not correct for them in Latin. In both cases, the -i plural is still common enough in English usage to be listed in most dictionaries, but its use is probably ill-advised, as it labels the speaker as being both pedantic and ignorant, a particularly bad combination.
In any event, though, no sound objection can be made to “octopuses”, since it is both correct and widely-recognized.
And as a side note, I’m surprised and a little disappointed that Cecil didn’t find a way to work the “just for the halibut” joke into the column somewhere. Yes, it’s corny, but Tradition, man, Tradition.
There are a good many genuses of octopus, contained within several families. “Octopoda” is the name of the order. There is no such word as “octopode” at all. Sometimes “octopods” (singular “octopod”) is used as an English version of “octopoda”.
Of course there’s the possibility that the speaker is quite aware of the above facts but says “octopi” anyway because they like playing around with language. They’ll also say “stewardi” as a plural of “stewardess” for the same reason. Doing this irritates language pedants, which is another reason to do it.
Apparently, there’s some jokes that are just too hackneyed even for Cecil. Hard to believe, but there it is.
Holy mackerel, are you saying it is a crappie pun?
I bet they didn’t learn that while perched at their desks in a school.
Whee, an opportunity to post one of my favorite videos, Merriam-Webster Ask the Editor the plural of octopus: - YouTube
Don’t be an ignorant slob.
I’ve heard octopuses referred to as just “octopus” in the offscreen narration in some documentaries. I think it was a compromise because the writer didn’t like the sound of the available options.
I suggested it. Cecil felt like it was somewhat shopworn.
I figure TSBG is suggesting Cecil Adams periodically transforms himself like Doctor Who. Those of you who are companions of the current Cecil should watch out.
I like that comparison!
If it were true, then Ed to me seems to be most similar to Christopher Eccleston.
I guess I’m most similar to Sarah Jane. Dex is probably Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.
When the idea of Doctor Who and the idea of Michael Moorcock met in my head just now, I think I asploded