forums/fora - octopuses/octopi/octopodes -- What's correct English?

Question

I saw a post by Lazarus where he used the word "fora" and it reminded me of something that I'd seen a while back.

The basic gist of this video is that once a word becomes a part of English, it's treated as all other English words, even though you can still pluralise using the Latin/Greek.

I definitely found it enlightening and thought at least a few others would, too. Enjoy.

At what point is a word considered part of the English language? When Merriam Webster puts it in their dictionary or when I hear it on my favorite sitcom? Nice topic. - 0074b507, Aug 30, 2011

I think the Oxford English or Collins would be a better guide. - MaryMcc, Aug 30, 2011

I would say when it becomes part of the common lexicon. - MrSillyInc, Aug 30, 2011

A fine point, but you don't conjugate nouns, just verbs. You are talking about pluralizing nouns. - Jeremias, Aug 30, 2011

Jeremias, you are right. I couldn't think of the correct word when I was writing that. I'll change it. - MrSillyInc, Aug 31, 2011

Answer 1

I think that I will start saying things like "octopodes" at work.*

*sarcasm - Tosh, Aug 30, 2011

You got a vote from me :) - MaryMcc, Aug 30, 2011

Answer 2

I used "fora" because (a) my poor Latin interferes slightly with my English, and (b) because I have seen it used many times. "Forums" is also used, and it makes more sense. But "octopus" is not Latin, so "octopi" makes no sense; "octopedes" is basically not used, and "octopuses" makes more sense.

Unfortunately, whether the plural of Latin (and even Greek) words is like Latin or like modern English probably depends on how often the word is used. For example, "curriculum" is not the kind of word you use all the time, so "curricula" is pretty common, and people are used to this "us -> a" change. However, people are less aware of changes like "criterion -> criteria", or even worse, "datum -> data" or "automaton -> automata" . People who have studied Biology know "bacterium -> bacteria" or "stimulus -> stimuli", and those who have studied Maths might know "locus -> loci", "radius -> radii" (some people say "radiuses" too), or "polyhedron -> polyhedra". "Memorandums" is probably more used than "memoranda", but "addendums" is rarely used in comparison with "addenda". Frankly, it would be easier if you just added an S to all these words, like in Spanish, which has almost systematically turned all -us words into -o:

currículum -> currículums (or even easier, currículos)

bacteria -> bacterias

criterio -> criterios

estímulo -> estímulos

There are still a few archaisms, like "adenda", which has no singular (and no useless double D), but they are not plurals any more, but independent words.

It's weird, I know. But those weird things about language (especially English) is what I like. To be honest, though, I have never said "octopuses." Probably won't, either. - MrSillyInc, Aug 30, 2011

Just as a point of information, at least within the UK schooling system, it is usual to hear the word curriculum. I have never ever heard nor seen written the word agendum and now wonder as to whether tantra involves multiple hissy fits. - afowen, Aug 31, 2011

Answer 3

Until recently BBC presenters, the proper ones, would be heard to say referenda and stadia, maybe even fora. A while back, it was clearly decided by someone to pluralise as per the English (language) norm. Stadiums and referendums are now heard.

Answer 4

Where I live, no one seems to be able to make up their minds between "octopuses" and "octopi". I even find myself switching between the two.

Answer 5

Well I watched the video, I must say I have never heard octopedes, and I am British. In fact my spell check has it underlined. I think I will still to octopuses, which is given by Collins and a couple of other online dictionaries, and my spell check likes it too.

Answer 6

Very informative!