Octopus, octopi, octoporum

[Kimberly]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at y..., nlpnt at y... wrote:
> --- In HPFGU-OTChatter at y..., "Jen" <jfaulkne at e...> wrote:
> > 
> > I agree with Amy; we speak English, and 'octopuses' is a perfectly 
> > acceptable English plural.  'Octopi' is purposeless prescriptive 
> > pedantry (say that five times fast!).
> > > It's as silly as becoming incensed with those who say 'the hoi 
> > polloi', on the grounds that 'hoi' already means 'the' in Greek. 
> > 'hoi 
> > polloi' is now a phrase being used in English, and it needs 
> > an English definite article.  
> > 
> > --jen, who also happily uses data as a singular noun :)
> 
> 
> Right. And when was the last time you saw a Ford dealer ad 
> screaming "GREAT SAVINGS ON ALL FOCI AND TAURI IN STOCK!!!!" 
> Actually, proper names and trademarks are a whole area unto 
> themselves. Legitimate trademarks, that is; I won't say that "Ford 
> Focus" has more right to trademarkyness (?) than "Hogwarts", but it 
> does- school names aren't trademarked irl, and JKR didn't bother. 
>  
> Then again, "baked-in" articles (like "the" in "hoi polloi") (mmm, 
> baked hoi polloi....) lead to acronym expressions. Like;
> 
> "ATM machine"= Automated Teller Machine machine.
> or
> "EPS system"= Electronic Payment System system. (Also called a POS 
> system, which when it's working means Point Of Sale system.....when 
> it's working.)

Heh!

Let me add to that the company I work for - CPI Corp.  Which stands 
for Consumer Programs (or Products, depending on who you ask) 
Incorporated Corporation, which I've always thought sounded lovely!
And by the way, we've got a POS system for you... ;)

kimberly

kimberly