Myth

When you have to account for more than one octopus, you call them octopi.

Reality

Octopi is in fact incorrect. The correct plural for octopus is either octopuses or octopodes. According to Oxford Dictionaries, Octopus is not a simple Laton word of the second declension, but a Latinized form of the Greek word oktopous.

I'll take their word on that one.

What is clear is that unlike other words ending in -us, it is unique. Somehow I don't think The Beetles will change the lyrics for their "Yellow Submarine" song.

Source Ask Oxford Dictionaries

Tags: octopus