Have you ever paused mid-sentence wondering, “What is the plural of hippopotamus?” Is it hippopotamuses, hippopotami, or just plain hippos? You’re not alone. This quirky plural has puzzled writers, students, and animal lovers alike. Let’s dive deep and untangle this muddy grammatical puzzle.
The Plural of Hippopotamus — Which One is Correct?
The standard plural of hippopotamus in English is hippopotamuses. However, hippopotami is also commonly used, though it’s a classical Latin plural. To complicate things, most people casually shorten it to hippos.
So, which plural is right?
- Hippopotamuses — Correct in modern English grammar.
- Hippopotami — Accepted, but considered a Latinized version.
- Hippos — Informal, but perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation.
Both “hippopotamuses” and “hippopotami” are correct, but one is more mainstream. We’ll explain why.
Why Are Both “Hippopotamuses” and “Hippopotami” Considered Plural Forms?
Latin vs English Plural
The confusion comes from Latin vs English plural rules. In English, we usually make plurals by adding -es or -s. Since hippopotamus ends with -us, it naturally becomes hippopotamuses.
But here’s the twist: Hippopotamus is derived from Greek, not Latin. The original Greek term is “hippopotamos”, meaning river horse (from “hippos” for horse and “potamos” for river). However, Latin scholars Latinized the term to “hippopotamus,” leading to the plural hippopotami.
Pluralization Rules for -us Nouns
Let’s break down how English deals with nouns ending in -us:
| Singular | English Plural | Latin Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Cactus | Cactuses | Cacti |
| Focus | Focuses | Foci |
| Syllabus | Syllabuses | Syllabi |
| Hippopotamus | Hippopotamuses | Hippopotami |
Which One Do Dictionaries Prefer?
- Merriam-Webster: Lists hippopotamuses as primary, hippopotami as secondary.
- Oxford English Dictionary: Recognizes both but favors hippopotamuses in modern usage.
In daily speech and writing, hippopotamuses is clearer and more intuitive.
What is a Hippopotamus?
The hippopotamus is a massive, mostly herbivorous mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. It’s the third-largest land mammal, after elephants and white rhinos. Adult males weigh up to 3,500 kg (7,700 lbs).
Quick Facts about Hippopotamuses:
- Scientific name: Hippopotamus amphibius
- Average lifespan: 40-50 years
- Habitat: Rivers, lakes, and swamps in Africa
- Known for: Aggressiveness, territorial water behavior
Hippo vs Hippopotamus — Is There a Difference?
No real difference. Hippo is just an affectionate abbreviation of hippopotamus.
Usage Tips:
- Formal writing: Use hippopotamus.
- Informal speech & casual writing: Hippo is perfectly fine.
For example, you’d say, “The hippopotamus is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN.” But in conversation, “I saw a hippo at the zoo yesterday.”
What is the Plural of Hippo?
The plural of hippo is straightforward: hippos. Unlike hippopotamus, there’s no debate here.
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Hippo | Hippos |
This follows standard English pluralization without any exceptions.
Singular Usage Examples
Hippopotamus:
- “A hippopotamus can hold its breath underwater for up to five minutes.”
- “The hippopotamus emerged from the river at dusk.”
Hippo:
- “That hippo has the widest mouth I’ve ever seen!”
- “I watched a hippo yawn; it looked like a scene from Jurassic Park.”
Plural Usage Examples
Hippopotamuses:
- “Several hippopotamuses lounged in the muddy waters, basking in the sun.”
Hippopotami:
- “Ancient texts describe hippopotami as symbols of strength and fertility.”
Hippos:
- “A group of hippos blocked the safari path, refusing to move.”
Etymology of “Hippopotamus” and Its Plural Forms
The word hippopotamus comes from the Ancient Greek words hippos (horse) and potamos (river). Thus, the literal translation is river horse.
When adopted into Latin, it retained its form, and scholars later debated whether the plural should follow Latin rules (hippopotami) or modern English pluralization (hippopotamuses).
This debate isn’t unique. It mirrors similar debates around words like cactus/cacti, octopus/octopi, and fungus/fungi.
What Do You Call a Group of Hippopotamuses?
Believe it or not, there are fun and quirky collective nouns for a group of hippopotamuses.
Collective Nouns for Hippopotamuses:
- A bloat of hippopotamuses
- A herd of hippos
- A pod of hippos (used when referring to hippos in water)
The term bloat likely comes from the animal’s massive, rounded physique and their habit of lazing in groups.
Usage Trends: Which Plural is Used Today?
A Google Ngram Viewer search shows that hippopotamuses overwhelmingly dominates in modern publications. Hippopotami saw higher usage in scholarly texts during the 19th century but has since declined.
Spoken vs Written English
- In spoken English, most people prefer hippos.
- In formal writing, hippopotamuses is the go-to plural.
- Hippopotami survives mostly in poetic or historical contexts.
Regional Preferences
- American English: Favors hippopotamuses.
- British English: Accepts both, but hippopotamuses is more common.
Common Mistakes & Misconceptions
- Misusing “hippopotami” in formal contexts: While it’s not incorrect, it can sound archaic or pretentious in casual writing.
- Pluralizing “hippo” to “hippoes”: Incorrect. Always use hippos.
- Thinking “hippopotami” is the only correct plural: It’s a myth. Modern English grammar supports hippopotamuses.
Recap Table: Singular and Plural Forms
| Singular | Standard Plural | Alternative Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Hippopotamus | Hippopotamuses | Hippopotami |
| Hippo | Hippos | — |
Fun Fact: Plurals of Other Animal Names with Latin Origins
The plural forms of hippopotamus aren’t alone in this pluralization confusion. Here are a few similar cases:
| Animal | Singular | Plural (English) | Plural (Latinized) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus | Octopuses | Octopi (debated) | |
| Cactus | Cactuses | Cacti | |
| Fungus | Fungi | Fungi |
English Pluralization Exceptions
These examples show how English pluralization exceptions often arise from Greek-origin English words plural form debates. English tends to simplify, while classical Latin forms hang around in academic circles.
Conclusion: Which Plural Should You Use?
If you’re aiming for clarity and modern correctness, hippopotamuses is your safest bet. It aligns with standard English pluralization rules. For casual speech? Hippos is perfect.
Want to sound a bit old-school or poetic? Hippopotami is acceptable but use it sparingly.
Quick Takeaway:
- Everyday use: Hippopotamuses / Hippos
- Poetic or stylistic contexts: Hippopotami
When in doubt, go with hippopotamuses. It’s accurate, widely accepted, and saves you from sounding like you’re reading from a 19th-century zoology book.
FAQs
Q: Is Hippopotami outdated?
A: Not outdated, but less common. It survives in poetic or academic usage.
Q: Can I just say Hippos?
A: Absolutely. “Hippos” is informal but widely accepted.
Q: Which plural is most common in media?
A: “Hippopotamuses” in formal publications; “hippos” in everyday conversations and social media.
Q: Do British and American English prefer different plurals?
A: Both use “hippopotamuses” primarily, but “hippopotami” may pop up in British literary contexts.