this post was submitted on 23 Mar 2025
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*octopodes (yes I know octopuses is also correct but the technically correct version sounds cooler)
Well, we can't have all the octopodes nuts having their secret octopodes (related?) discussions with their own secret language like the word "octopods", now can we?
We can't keep letting them get away with it!
*Octopussies
Only Japanese ones
Depends on the language. Current standardized American English overwhelmingly list adds
-s/-esto make a plural noun. So βoctopusesβ would be technically correct with βoctopodesβ and βoctopiβ also accepted.If youβre writing Latin, youβd want octopi instead. If youβre writing Greek: octopodes.
But English is a democratic language, so feel free to vote often and early by using your preferred version.
at this point i feel the only sensible answer is to use the most nonsensical form that still sounds normal
Octothingies is my favorite
To be pedantic, octopi comes from the misconception that octopus is a second-declension noun in Latin when it's actually a third-declension noun. If you were writing Latin, you'd still want octopodes
I feel like any linguist upset by non-prescriptive language needs to maybe reconsider their life choices. Imagine telling someone they're painting incorrectly or being mad at the discovery of a new species.
Octopi, octopuses, and octopods are all valid pluralizations of octopus in American English.
Conversely, cacti is the only valid pluralization of cactus.
Donβt worry, language itself pissed us off long before you did.
octopiussi
Linguists are probably the least likely people to get upset at someone using the "wrong" word. they might pull out their notebook and start asking you questions though
Octopi?
Dont you dare use a Latin pluralization of a Greek root word!
I'll use whatever pluralodes I feel like!
Wow, look at all these plurapodes
There's lodes of them!
Its origin is Greek, but it comes to us through Latin, so fuck it. Plus itβs language, and octopi is understood by fluent speakers
You want 8 pies? What?
Octopodes nuts
I kinda love how this only works if you know the correct pronunciation. For those that don't, it's ock-top-uh-deez
Title fixed.