EPTIt's not English, it's Aiurish!
The Plural of "Nexus" - Page 7
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SugarBear
United States842 Posts
It's not English, it's Aiurish! | ||
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Karliath
United States2214 Posts
Poll: What's the best way to determine the right answer? English Dictionary (nexus or nexuses) (10) Latin (nexus) (6) SC2 Characters (whatever you want it to be) (4) People who pretend to know Latin (nexi, nexii) (3) 23 total votes Your vote: What's the best way to determine the right answer? (Vote): English Dictionary (nexus or nexuses) | ||
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barrykp
Ireland174 Posts
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AncienTs
Japan227 Posts
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Karliath
United States2214 Posts
Although the English word "nexus" originated from the Latin word "nexus," we are clearly talking about the English word here. As proof, we are typing in English, and the game is in English. Therefore, it would seem correct to me to follow the English dictionary's answer. | ||
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CharlieMurphy
United States22895 Posts
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Mastermind
Canada7096 Posts
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Stropheum
United States1124 Posts
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Backpack
United States1776 Posts
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Yukidasu
Australia125 Posts
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Nilrem
United States3684 Posts
Let us look at the word Octopus; depending on your preference of the origin of the word, you can pronounce it a few different ways and still be correct. So it was to be known as octopuses, while there was a movement to make them less irregular and follow the trademark pronunciation of Octopi. Problem with this is that, Octopus did not originate from Latin but instead it originated from Greek, so they decided to pluralize it with a Greek ending. So the Greek version would be Octopodes. So why the long drawn out response. Well, it is simply this. If you want to be proper, since colossus originated from 14c Greece, it would have colopodes [or guessing, colossopodes]. While I doubt people will pronounce it this way, we have to come to some sort of agreement. So pretty much it is this, since I doubt that most would use the plural from the Greeks (although I don't think i pluralized it correctly, but you get the idea), we ought to pronounce it the way we want to. My preference is Latin since I love Latin literature and I am also a philosopher (which should point me to 'podes' but no thanks). While others will prefer Colossuses or well, colossus'. It does not matter, there wont be a 'proper' way to pronounce it. So I am simply taking what I decided Colossus on and transferring it over to Nexus. Nexus originated from Latin, so I will use my favorite and well, the one that is correct in my opinion, and use Nexi (or well, Nexai as I pointed out earlier). Why did I type this, I do not know. But hey, it was entertaining for me. | ||
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AmstAff
Germany949 Posts
colossus = colossi ( http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/colossus#English ) 1 nexus or 2 nexus ( http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nexus "nexus (plural nexuses or nexus or nexûs)" ) I don't care if its right or not, but it makes sense for me and is easier/shorter. please more posts, its really interesting to read about all this latin > english > greek stuff^^ | ||
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LegendaryZ
United States1583 Posts
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arb
Noobville17921 Posts
On August 11 2010 08:48 AmstAff wrote: epic thread is epic. colossus = colossi ( http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/colossus#English ) 1 nexus or 2 nexus ( http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nexus "nexus (plural nexuses or nexus or nexûs)" ) I don't care if its right or not, but it makes sense for me and is easier/shorter. please more posts, its really interesting to read about all this latin > english > greek stuff^^ I dont even mind calling them nexi/nexus/nexuses aslong as people do go saying "Coloxxen" like thats the plural of colossus its just annoying | ||
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Nilrem
United States3684 Posts
On August 11 2010 08:53 LegendaryZ wrote: I don't understand why this is even an argument. Is it really that difficult to look in a dictionary? Dictionaries are not all the same, time itself plays a role in regard to dictionaries. That is why there are always new versions coming out. Also, dictionaries do not always tell the whole truth. So the origins, much like pluralizing octopus, it really up to the reader (well writer). Also, does it matter if it is or is not an argument? It is something people tend to contend with. Think of the commentators, I would imagine that they would wish to choose the best type (if there is even a best). Oh I should have also added, even Latin has its share of exceptions and such. So not all Latin words ending with "us" end with "-i". Can we just agree that languages can be a pain and tend to be overly complicated? And also agree that for the most part, there are not 'correct' ways and it depends entirely on the person. | ||
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LegendaryZ
United States1583 Posts
On August 11 2010 08:56 arb wrote: I dont even mind calling them nexi/nexus/nexuses aslong as people do go saying "Coloxxen" like thats the plural of colossus its just annoying Who started the "coloxen" thing anyway? I hear a lot of people in the SC2 community saying that, but I've absolutely no idea where one would get this from... | ||
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JamJoy
22 Posts
Nexi isn't. Just makes you sound like an idiot. | ||
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LegendaryZ
United States1583 Posts
On August 11 2010 08:56 Nilrem wrote: Dictionaries are not all the same, time itself plays a role in regard to dictionaries. That is why there are always new versions coming out. Also, dictionaries do not always tell the whole truth. So the origins, much like pluralizing octopus, it really up to the reader (well writer). Also, does it matter if it is or is not an argument? It is something people tend to contend with. Think of the commentators, I would imagine that they would wish to choose the best type (if there is even a best). Oh I should have also added, even Latin has its share of exceptions and such. So not all Latin words ending with "us" end with "-i". Can we just agree that languages can be a pain and tend to be overly complicated? And also agree that for the most part, there are not 'correct' ways and it depends entirely on the person. I don't think I can find a single dictionary where "nexi" is a proper plural form of "nexus"... | ||
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Karliath
United States2214 Posts
On August 11 2010 08:48 Nilrem wrote: Oi oi... the language is difficult. Even if you think you know the rules, there are still plenty of exceptions out there. Precisely why English from the States is considered to be one of the most difficult languages to learn. When I am speaking with my friends and I wish to use pluralize Nexus or Colossus, I end up making it Colossi (although I'd rather spell it colosai for kicks and giggles), and well, Nexai (I use ai mostly because if you simply have an 'i', some people would think of it as having an 'ee' sound to it). Let us look at the word Octopus; depending on your preference of the origin of the word, you can pronounce it a few different ways and still be correct. So it was to be known as octopuses, while there was a movement to make them less irregular and follow the trademark pronunciation of Octopi. Problem with this is that, Octopus did not originate from Latin but instead it originated from Greek, so they decided to pluralize it with a Greek ending. So the Greek version would be Octopodes. So why the long drawn out response. Well, it is simply this. If you want to be proper, since colossus originated from 14c Greece, it would have colopodes [or guessing, colossopodes]. While I doubt people will pronounce it this way, we have to come to some sort of agreement. So pretty much it is this, since I doubt that most would use the plural from the Greeks (although I don't think i pluralized it correctly, but you get the idea), we ought to pronounce it the way we want to. My preference is Latin since I love Latin literature and I am also a philosopher (which should point me to 'podes' but no thanks). While others will prefer Colossuses or well, colossus'. It does not matter, there wont be a 'proper' way to pronounce it. So I am simply taking what I decided Colossus on and transferring it over to Nexus. Nexus originated from Latin, so I will use my favorite and well, the one that is correct in my opinion, and use Nexi (or well, Nexai as I pointed out earlier). Why did I type this, I do not know. But hey, it was entertaining for me. SERIOUSLY. WHY DON'T PEOPLE READ PREVIOUS POSTS. Colossus, the English word, is not Greek. It is English, because it is an English word. There is a different between being Greek, and originating from Greek. Colopodes, or colossopodes (why are you guessing anyways) is therefore incorrect. In fact, the plural form of the English word Colossus is in the dictionary. wow. "Even if you think you know the rules, there are still plenty of exceptions out there." That's why you look at the dictionary, no? Why do you spend your time trying to guess it out when the dictionary explains it in plain English. Now Nexus originated from Latin, with the plural being Nexus too. When it was brought into English, as we typically do, the -s sound was added. Therefore, it became Nexuses. However, the Latin spelling remains correct, as the DICTIONARY proves. It is either nexus or nexuses. However right nexi sounds, it is incorrect. "Nexus originated from Latin, so I will use my favorite and well, the one that is correct in my opinion" No offense, but what is correct in your opinion matters very little, as we are trying to, or were trying to, figure out the correct English "opinion." As far as octopus goes, octopuses and octopi are both correct in American English. In British English, octopodes is correct. | ||
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arb
Noobville17921 Posts
On August 11 2010 08:57 LegendaryZ wrote: Who started the "coloxen" thing anyway? I hear a lot of people in the SC2 community saying that, but I've absolutely no idea where one would get this from... I saw it in a strat forum post one time, then it started appearing everywhere i wish i could pinpoint that post | ||
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