octopus and fly

[Pigwidgeon]

Emily: "People! It's *octopi*! *Octopi*! The multiple of "octopus" 
is "octopi", not "octopuses". Just like "cacti", 
not "cactuses", "hippopotomi", not "hippopotomuses", etc, etc, etc. 
Why is this so hard to grasp?"

Because either is correct. It can be octopi or octopuses, and in the 
context I was using it octopuses worked better.



And continuing on this English lesson I now give you a definition of 
fly.

>From the OED: <<<Something attached by the edge. Cf. FLAP n.4  a. A 
strip or lap on a garment, to contain or cover the button-holes; 
hence something used to cover or connect (see quot. 1884). spec. 
(freq. pl.) the piece of cloth that hides the fastening at the front 
of a pair of trousers; also, the fastening itself.>>>

As you will notice the word fly can be used as the name for either 
the fastening or the material covering the fastening. Hence flies can 
be either zip or buttons.


Simon