this post was submitted on 02 Nov 2024
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Science Memes

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 days ago (4 children)
[–] [email protected] 12 points 5 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 days ago
[–] [email protected] 8 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

Words in English that end in "-us" and pluralize to "-i" are from Latin, such as cactus/cacti or focus/foci. However, "octopus" is from Greek, and its correct pluralization from Greek would be "octopodes." In English, we have also adopted "octopuses," which fits our standard pluralization rules.

So, "octopi" is actually a language mix up, though one that's so common that it seems to be accepted in English.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 days ago

Actually, octopi is the "erroneous" one. Although it is a very common mistake so might make the shift to recognised before too much longer.

Everyone still understands it, so it doesn't matter.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Now I wonder how Octopie tastes like. It's probably related to seafood pizza. 🫠

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

IMO it's tragic to eat such an intelligent creature. Maybe stick to these guys...? Mmmm.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago

Seafood, eat it