Actually both can be used for the plural of octopus. Octopuses or octopi. I prefer the latter myself. And yes they can learn to open things and even remember it. Slither across the floor an climb all without bones.
Language evolves as people choose to use certain words (or nonsense words) in certain ways until they become accepted in general usage. Thus, octopi may not (yet) be accepted as the “correct” plural of octopus, but as people continue to use it as such, dictionaries will eventually give in and list it. Unless, of course, people stop using it first.
noun, plural octopuses, octopi [ok-tuh-pahy] (Show IPA)1.any octopod of the genus Octopus, having a soft, oval body and eight sucker-bearing arms, living mostly at the bottom of the sea.2.something likened to an octopus, as an organization with many forms of far-reaching influence or control.
When my daughter was three, I used the word octopi. Her response was, “OctoPIE? Yuck!”
When I was young (dunamany years ago), octopi was preferred. I didn’t hear the term octopuses until I was almost twenty. Octopi would be correct if the word was latin, which may be where the disagreement arose.
Templo S.U.D. almost 7 years ago
What makes you think, Alix, that the plural of octopus is “octopuses” instead of “octopi”? (That sure scared the jeepers out of cousin Max.)
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] almost 7 years ago
Actually both can be used for the plural of octopus. Octopuses or octopi. I prefer the latter myself. And yes they can learn to open things and even remember it. Slither across the floor an climb all without bones.
finnishbsnist almost 7 years ago
since the root is Greek, the actual plural ought to be octopodes. But THAT’s never going to catch on.
IndyMan almost 7 years ago
All the previous comments left me without a foot to stand on ! !
car2ner almost 7 years ago
according to the show Tanked, it is octopuses.
Perkycat almost 7 years ago
I hope never to be in a situation where I have to use the plural of octopus.
sew-so almost 7 years ago
Language evolves as people choose to use certain words (or nonsense words) in certain ways until they become accepted in general usage. Thus, octopi may not (yet) be accepted as the “correct” plural of octopus, but as people continue to use it as such, dictionaries will eventually give in and list it. Unless, of course, people stop using it first.
morton115 almost 7 years ago
Read this for a book club & highly recommend it: The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery
forbearly almost 7 years ago
Either is correct. From dictionary.com:
noun, plural octopuses, octopi [ok-tuh-pahy] (Show IPA)1.any octopod of the genus Octopus, having a soft, oval body and eight sucker-bearing arms, living mostly at the bottom of the sea.2.something likened to an octopus, as an organization with many forms of far-reaching influence or control.
When my daughter was three, I used the word octopi. Her response was, “OctoPIE? Yuck!”
kab buch almost 7 years ago
Wow all comments of an octopus. Max why did you leave? Now Alix can have fun with her friend.
ch.burns almost 7 years ago
When I was young (dunamany years ago), octopi was preferred. I didn’t hear the term octopuses until I was almost twenty. Octopi would be correct if the word was latin, which may be where the disagreement arose.
Mstreselena almost 7 years ago
It’s actually octopods. The plural of pus is pods.
Sue Ellen almost 7 years ago
Why do I keep hearing Ringo singing “I’d like to be – under the sea – in an octopus’s garden in the shade.”?