Entirely in sympathy, John. However, one wonders whether it is worth holding the line. Before our eyes (and ears) we see/hear ‘phenomena’ becoming a usual singular, going the way of agenda - as well as ‘a criteria’ (perpetrated by Ross Solly a few mornings ago). The process involves standard references declaring such usages to be incorrect, then ‘sometimes used’, then alternatives, then ‘more usual’. From: John Harris [
Sent: Friday, 25 October 2013 3:23 PM
To: Martin Butterfield
Cc: sandra henderson; Mark Clayton; Barbara Allan;
Subject: [canberrabirds] Platypi??? Sorry guys but can’t help being boring and pompous. Please feel free to stop reading here. Platypus does NOT have a Latin ending like radius, radii. The word is from the Greek, platy = flat, pus = foot. The correct Greek plural of pus is PODES for males and PODA for females. So if you want to be a stuffy pedantic, the plurals should be PLATYPODES for a mob of boy platypuses and PLATYPODA for a mob of girls! However even a conservative linguist like me has to admit reality. Platypus is now an English word and the correct English plural should now be PLATYPUSES. Same for octopuses. Most reasonable academic linguists agree these days that even Latin plurals are a bit outdated. I have started using English plurals - radiuses, formulas, curriculums etc etc - although a few will stick around like agenda which everybody now thinks is singular (agendum) when it’s not. Yes I know….boring, boring On 25 Oct 2013, at 2:41 pm, Martin Butterfield <> wrote:
Possibly they had to check that there were no more hitch-hiking platypi? If anyone gets to Oaks Estate or the Qbn poo-pits there are some yellow box opposite the substation on the road off Canberra Ave (past Beard) which are heavily in flower. Might be interesting to check for honeyeaters, On 25 October 2013 11:41, sandra henderson <m("gmail.com","shirmax2931");" target="_blank">> wrote: ACT government put out announcement on 22 Oct that Angle Crossing is now OPEN Sandra h
On Friday, October 25, 2013, Mark Clayton wrote:
Barbara, Any idea why Angle Crossing is closed? I saw the sign out there about a month ago and went down Smiths Road from the Monaro Hwy to check and there was nothing obvious stopping traffic. Indeed a lot of local traffic came through the crossing and on to the Namadgi Road. Mark One more sleep until the blitz. The weather looks reasonably settled, but of course do take care if you’re venturing into challenging spots. And do take a camera if you can to record any “unusuals”. For the last-minute or undecided blitzers, a few odd vaguely central spots remain unclaimed: the ANU; Mt Mugga Mugga; Harman; Oaks Estate; Haig Park. Otherwise head to one of your favourite spots. There are a few road closures in place: Corin Rd at Woods Reserve; and Angle Crossing. So happy blitzing everyone – and don’t lose your datasheets. Return them to me either at home or at the November meeting or mail them to COG, PO Box 301 , Civic Square 2608. Or contact me to make other arrangements. b
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Martin Butterfield |
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