The plural of "octopus"
Jan. 6th, 2006 10:52 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
An anonymous commenter in my LJ claimed that, when the word "octopus" was taken into Latin from Greek, it was made into a regular third declension word.
That would make its plural "octopera".
Now, I don't know if that'd true or not -- I'm sticking with the Greek-based "octopodes" and the English-based "octopuses". I thought that "octopus" remained irregular in Latin and kept its Greek form, but I don't know that for sure. I'm pretty certain that "octopi" is a mistake, though.
But my point is that, if "octopera" is the actual plural, then somebody HAS to write "Octopera: A Rock Opera". It's a moral imperative.
That would make its plural "octopera".
Now, I don't know if that'd true or not -- I'm sticking with the Greek-based "octopodes" and the English-based "octopuses". I thought that "octopus" remained irregular in Latin and kept its Greek form, but I don't know that for sure. I'm pretty certain that "octopi" is a mistake, though.
But my point is that, if "octopera" is the actual plural, then somebody HAS to write "Octopera: A Rock Opera". It's a moral imperative.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-01-06 04:02 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-01-06 04:42 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-01-06 04:51 pm (UTC)*Did you know that in X Windows under Linux, you can type a Unicode character by holding down CTRL-SHIFT and typing the character's hexadecimal code? My life has been transformed by this discovery.
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Date: 2006-01-06 05:06 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-01-06 05:43 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-01-06 05:58 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-01-06 05:58 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-01-06 06:28 pm (UTC)"Octopera?" No way. Your anonymous commentor is playing linguistic games.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-01-06 07:56 pm (UTC)On the other sucker, I, for one, would welcome an octoperatic opera, especially if we get to eat octo-pie while attending.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-01-06 09:42 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-01-06 10:49 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-01-07 01:56 am (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2006-01-07 11:09 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-01-07 11:10 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-01-17 09:12 pm (UTC)Octopera
Date: 2007-07-26 01:15 pm (UTC)Re: Octopera
Date: 2007-07-26 01:51 pm (UTC)Now I'm sorry I missed you when you were in Massachusetts.