Platypi???

[Rob Geraghty <>]

FWIW from the Macquarie dictionary:
"noun (plural platypuses or platypi or, especially collectively, platypus) an amphibious, egg-laying monotreme, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, of eastern mainland Australia and Tasmania, 45–60 cm in total length, having webbed feet and a muzzle like the bill of a duck; the state faunal emblem of NSW; duckbill. [New Latin, from Greek platypous broad-footed]

Usage: The ending -pus is a Latinised form of Greek pous foot, the plural of which is podes. Thus there is no etymological justification for the plural platypi, though this form is sometimes used. The English plural platypuses is more regular and widely accepted, and the form platypus is sometimes used, especially as a collective plural."

As others have mentioned, lots of words are abused in English - personally I find the marketing invention "instore" like fingernails on a blackboard. Unfortunately, over time, misuse can become reality. Very few people use "datum" for a single item in a data set either. :) I'm merely pointing out that while the Macquarie backs up your assertion below, it also admits that the term platypi is used (jokingly or otherwise) despite being etymologically incorrect.

Obligatory reference to birds - have there been any sightings of Powerful Owls in the ACT recently?

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Rob Geraghty

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From: John Harris <>
To: Martin Butterfield <>
Cc: sandra henderson <>; Mark Clayton <>; Barbara Allan <>; "" <>
Sent: Friday, October 25, 2013 3:23 PM
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Most reasonable academic linguists agree these days that even Latin plurals are a bit outdated.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

John