Topic

Platypus?

I just want to know what's the plural for platypus. 
Is it like bus, buses?
Or like Cactus, cacti?
it can be platypuses.
or platypi.
Or platypises. 
Hmm.....bis?\
Cactuses?
How about pus?
Pis?
Puses?

Posted 13 years ago by KitkatCat Subscriber! | Permalink

Replies

  • A herd of platypi
    Posted 13 years ago by bored no more Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Not related: The Catholic Church once decreed that the beaver was a fish.
    True fact.
    Posted 13 years ago by Lord Bacon-o Subscriber! | Permalink
  • It's badly-Latinized Greek. A Greekish plural would be something like "platypodes."
    Posted 13 years ago by Clumdalglitch Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I think Pi. Who does love pie. Also, that's the reason god should never create stoned.
    Posted 13 years ago by Some_Random_Guy Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I've heard Platypi
    Posted 13 years ago by Logith Subscriber! | Permalink
  • or.. maybe the plural is just Platypus... kinda like moose.
    Posted 13 years ago by Logith Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Far as I can tell there is no collective noun.
    Posted 13 years ago by Lord Bacon-o Subscriber! | Permalink
  • According to Wikipedia: 

    "There is no universally agreed plural of "platypus" in the English language. Scientists generally use "platypuses" or simply "platypus". Colloquially the term "platypi" is also used for the plural, although this is technically incorrect and a form of pseudo-Latin: the correct Greek plural would be "platypodes" "

    So... I guess everyone here is right.
    Posted 13 years ago by Shepherdmoon Subscriber! | Permalink
  • KitkatCat, when I get to work, I shall consult my ginormous Webster's/Random House dictionary (known by my department as "The Boss") and report what it says :)
    Posted 13 years ago by RM Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I've never heard playpodes, but I will now be using that as the correct plural form. Now I just need to find a reason to use Platypus more in everyday convos...
    Posted 13 years ago by Muncey Mango Subscriber! | Permalink
  • My dictionary says both platypuses and platypi are correct:) Thanks for the diversion from my real work, KKC :D
    Posted 13 years ago by RM Subscriber! | Permalink
  • *grabs Cutting Board, Mike Tyson Grill and Awesome Pot to whip up some Platypodes Pie*

    (Note: No real Platypodes were harmed in the filming of this thread)
    Posted 13 years ago by The Cat Face Subscriber! | Permalink
  • In dutch, we call it a "vogelbekdier". Literally translated: Birdbeakanimal/
    I did 2 projects about it at elementary school. What I still remember from it: It's the only mammal that lays eggs.
    Posted 13 years ago by Miriamele Subscriber! | Permalink
  • and it has some kind of poison claws i think?
    Posted 13 years ago by The Cat Face Subscriber! | Permalink
  • The male platypus has venomous spurs on the hind legs. In Australia we have two monotremes (egg laying mammals) the platypus and the echidna.
    Posted 13 years ago by Teena Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Wow, the off-topic forum is so educational :)
    Posted 13 years ago by Shepherdmoon Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @LBO, I thought it was rats as big as ponies!
    Posted 13 years ago by Lilypad Subscriber! | Permalink
  • P.S. Octopus is the same way: technically correct plural is "octopodes".
    Posted 13 years ago by Lilypad Subscriber! | Permalink
  • New word of the day: Monotreme: an egg laying mammal. Now-a-days the only surviving species are the platypus and 4 species of echidnas ("spiny anteaters")
    Posted 13 years ago by Shepherdmoon Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I, too, am now obsessively trying to cook up a way of using the word "platypodes" in real life conversation.  See, prior to reading this thread, I had never heard of such a thing as "platypodes".  Sure, there have always been platypuses and platypi, but these 'podes?  It makes me think of their little deadly, webby feeties. Oh dear. It's my new pet word!

    "Hi, honey!  How was work?"

    "Oh, you know. 'Nother day, 'nother something something. "

    "Aha, I see.  Platypodes, dear?"

    "Huh?"

    "What?"

    "I thought you just said ..."

    "No, I didn't. Dinner's ready!"

    I don't know. I may have to invest more planning into it at this stage.
    Posted 13 years ago by Kipple Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm totally thinking of the Adipose from Doctor Who now.
    Posted 13 years ago by Jennyanydots Subscriber! | Permalink
  • The reason I asked was because mum (who works with dyslexic kids) and her colleague had to get a bunch of kids to repeat after them, a one of the thing they had to repeat was, "Three Platypus/ Platypi/ Platypuses " :)
    Posted 13 years ago by KitkatCat Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Btw: Another new vocab word: Marsupial, meaning animals that raise their young in pouches. Like koalas or kangaroos.
    Posted 13 years ago by KitkatCat Subscriber! | Permalink
  • A lovely fact: they sweat milk.
    Posted 13 years ago by Frederik Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I said an ode of Octopodes who spoke of platypi.
    The platypus put up a fuss: "All platypodes are we!"
    Posted 13 years ago by Zeezee Subscriber! | Permalink