Correct. The smallest octopus is the octopus wolfi. It is smaller than an inch (2.5cm). The famous blue ringed octopus is smaller than a golfball. Alternatively tarantulas range from 11.4cm to 28cm (4.5in to 11in)
*octopuses or octopodes
"Octopi" is incorrect because the word octopus comes from Greek, not Latin.
Sorry for being a pedant. But so many pedants tried to correct me when I said octopuses that I just get this urge to out-pedant everyone when I see someone use this word now.
octopus is technically latin in that its a latinized derivation of the greek word oktopous. The usage of the word Octopi came before the usage of octopuses and the usage of the word octopodes and the 3 are equally right in the eyes of merriam-webster however octopi is the oldest term.
I have read that entry, yes. Took me a while to find though because before that there were many entries from other dictionaries that say octopi is simply incorrect, so I wonder if it actually took you some digging to find the entry or if it's just a region locked difference in search results. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume it's the latter.
Merriam-Webster basically says that so many people have been using it erroneously in the past that it became normalised. It also says that the word "had a stay" in New Latin – which was a kind of revival of Latin by medieval scholars which included mixing in words that weren't originally Latin. Neologisms, if you will. In fact, latin-dictionary.net says that the correct translation of octopus is "polypus".
In conclusion, it's still not correct but it's so normalised people will look at you weird if you use anything else.
That's actually hilarious, I didn't think of that, I just imagined polyps.
Edit: I just got a stream of probably singular downvotes on each and every one of my comments on this post. Someone's mad that they're wrong. And I find that absolutely hilarious.
"Octopi" is incorrect because the word octopus comes from Greek, not Latin.
Sorry for being a pedant. But so many pedants tried to correct me when I said octopuses that I just get this urge to out-pedant everyone when I see someone use this word now.
Merriam-Webster basically says that so many people have been using it erroneously in the past that it became normalised. It also says that the word "had a stay" in New Latin – which was a kind of revival of Latin by medieval scholars which included mixing in words that weren't originally Latin. Neologisms, if you will. In fact, latin-dictionary.net says that the correct translation of octopus is "polypus".
In conclusion, it's still not correct but it's so normalised people will look at you weird if you use anything else.
Edit: I just got a stream of probably singular downvotes on each and every one of my comments on this post. Someone's mad that they're wrong. And I find that absolutely hilarious.