Comic Discussion > QUESTIONABLE CONTENT
WCT March 23-27
akronnick:
--- Quote from: Kugai on 28 Mar 2009, 16:06 ---I think the line you're looking for is
"I am serious, and don't call me Shirley!"
--- End quote ---
That's the one!
Headwoünd:
--- Quote from: pwhodges on 28 Mar 2009, 17:21 ---I follow Fowler, who as long ago as the 1920s wrote, in Modern English Usage:
--- Quote ---the only acceptable plural in English is octopuses
--- End quote ---
and went on to say that [as we know] octopi is misconceived and octopodes pedantic.
--- End quote ---
1920? Languages are always moving, changing, influencing each other and being "violated" until a violation is common enough to pass as the "correct" use of the language. Not a single person on the whole planet is speaking "the correct English of 1920" any more. Screw Fowler. :D
Couldn't care less if anyone said octopuses, octopodes or octopi. In each case I know that someone refers to more than one octopus. I prefer octopussies anyways.
pwhodges:
The point is not that we should speak as in 1920, but that anyone suggesting octopodes as the plural these days is already nearly a century behind the changes in the language which are, as you say, inevitable.
Change happens all the time, of course, but in language there is also the opposing tension that any change which reduces mutual understanding between communities using ostensibly the same language is not so good, and so should perhaps be moderated somewhat.
Mallli_kite:
Octopi is good enough for Websters.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/octopus
Usually that's good enough.
pwhodges:
Remember, dictionaries do not primarily suggest usage, they report it.
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