Khyrindor Posted July 5, 2014 Report Share Posted July 5, 2014 So I had a random thought. Is it colossuses, or colossus, or colossi when speaking about a colossus in plural form.(No I have no idea why I'm asking about this on this forum, but anyone have an idea?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasimir Posted July 5, 2014 Report Share Posted July 5, 2014 I'd say it could really be either, but I'd prefer colossi, purely on the basis of the Latin etymology of the word. But then again, it probably wouldn't be wrong to use either. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurkistan Posted July 5, 2014 Report Share Posted July 5, 2014 (edited) Either. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Colossus EDIT: Oops, didn't notice the third option for some reason. It's "either" colossuses or colossi, but never just colossus. Edited July 7, 2014 by Kurkistan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifth of Daybreak Posted July 6, 2014 Report Share Posted July 6, 2014 I'd say it could really be either, but I'd prefer colossi, purely on the basis of the Latin etymology of the word. But then again, it probably wouldn't be wrong to use either. Hooray! Another reason to tell my Latin joke on the forums! A Roman walks into a bar and says to the bartender "I'd like a martinus please." The bartender gives him a strange look and replies "do you mean a Martini?" The Roman glares at him and says "if I wanted more than one I'd ask for it!" 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baine Posted July 6, 2014 Report Share Posted July 6, 2014 A Roman walks into a bar, holds up two fingers, and says, "Five beers, please." 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argent Posted July 7, 2014 Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 I find it a good rule of thumb to avoid ambiguity as much as possible when speaking. So in spite of Kurk's wiki'ing (which, because English is dumb, should probably be written as wikying), I am going to say that using "colossus" is bad policy for the plural form. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurkistan Posted July 7, 2014 Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 I find it a good rule of thumb to avoid ambiguity as much as possible when speaking. So in spite of Kurk's wiki'ing (which, because English is dumb, should probably be written as wikying), I am going to say that using "colossus" is bad policy for the plural form. Clarification: It was a dictionary, not a wiki. And turns out I misread the OP and the dictionary agrees that just saying "colossus" for the plural isn't right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Left Posted July 7, 2014 Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 Did someone say Colossus?? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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