• @[email protected]
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      7
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      2 days ago

      Words in English that end in “-us” and pluralize to “-i” are from Latin, such as cactus/cacti or focus/foci. However, “octopus” is from Greek, and its correct pluralization from Greek would be “octopodes.” In English, we have also adopted “octopuses,” which fits our standard pluralization rules.

      So, “octopi” is actually a language mix up, though one that’s so common that it seems to be accepted in English.

    • @Semjaza
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      52 days ago

      Actually, octopi is the “erroneous” one. Although it is a very common mistake so might make the shift to recognised before too much longer.

      Everyone still understands it, so it doesn’t matter.