Khyrindor he/him Posted July 5, 2014 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?)
Kasimir he/him Posted July 5, 2014 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
Kurkistan he/him Posted July 5, 2014 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
Fifth of Daybreak he/him Posted July 6, 2014 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
Baine he/him Posted July 6, 2014 Posted July 6, 2014 A Roman walks into a bar, holds up two fingers, and says, "Five beers, please." 4
Argent he/him Posted July 7, 2014 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.
Kurkistan he/him Posted July 7, 2014 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.
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