Octopuses, octopi, octopodes . . .

I ran into this video on the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary website as I was looking for the appropriate word for a geographical equivalent of anachronism.

[While we're on the subject: An event or object that is out of its appropriate time context is called an anachronism. For example, if a novelist were to suggest that "George had just begun flying his Piper Cub from St. Louis, Missouri, to Berkeley, California, on the morning of April 23, 1823 . . ."--that would be an anachronism. So what is the appropriate word to describe an event or object placed in the wrong geographical context? For example, say, a flea on the tail of a polar bear that is living above the Arctic Circle.--What would you call that? Answer: an anatopism. --For what it's worth. (My first guess was, perhaps, an anageographism or an anageologism. Too bad: I guessed wrong!]

Anyway. I saw this 1:58 video over on the side of the Merriam-Webster web page and thought it was hilarious. Enjoy!

What is the appropriate plural of "octopus"?

By the way, there are a bunch more videos like this on the "Ask the Editor" video archives page on the Merriam-Webster website.

Whatever method God used to create it, this world is an amazing place

You've got to take the time to watch this video of amazing creatures from the ocean by David Gallo that he presented at a 2007 TED conference. There's a 15-second BMW ad at the beginning, then video clips that will blow your mind . . . especially the last section on an octopus. Gallo's presentation is complete by 5:24:



For some additional stunning videos . . .

Check out this octopus doing a "Great Escape":



Absolutely gorgeous clip (how did the videographer ever capture it?) of a Great White Shark coming completely out of the water:



Beautiful!

Or--mostly for fun--this one, of a shrimp on a treadmill, set to music: