You’re clearly a bit of a fellow word nerd. Do you have any feelings about the fact that none of that matters anymore if we all just agree that it doesn’t, which one could have an easy time arguing that we have? Sometimes, after spending a rousing five minutes explaining the MOST correct pluralization of ‘octopus’, the only answer I can give to the inevitable question of “why does it matter?” Is “it doesn’t”.
Option 1: “I’m not fixing your computer until you sort out the octopus bullshit going on behind your desk”
Option 2: “The cable adapter you’re looking for is probably in this box, but it’s pretty octopussy in there.” Then hold firm, direct eye contact with a serious face until they respond.
You’re clearly a bit of a fellow word nerd. Do you have any feelings about the fact that none of that matters anymore if we all just agree that it doesn’t, which one could have an easy time arguing that we have? Sometimes, after spending a rousing five minutes explaining the MOST correct pluralization of ‘octopus’, the only answer I can give to the inevitable question of “why does it matter?” Is “it doesn’t”.
If you were trying to describe a mess of cables how would you use octopus in an adjective form?
Octopussian
Thank you for your question.
Option 1: “I’m not fixing your computer until you sort out the octopus bullshit going on behind your desk”
Option 2: “The cable adapter you’re looking for is probably in this box, but it’s pretty octopussy in there.” Then hold firm, direct eye contact with a serious face until they respond.
All collective nouns should be replaced with the word “group”.
I don’t know if it “matters”, and I’m not a prescriptivist who wants to tell others how to talk, but it’s interesting.