It’s intriguing as when we drive many we become aggressive people, no matter the education, profession or level of wealth. Our primitive instincts emerge, ironically these are a consequence of modern life.
According to my dictionary*, “prius” is an adverb (meaning “previously, before”), and so it does not have a plural.
“Prius” as the name of the car is a noun, and so, regardless of whether it is taken from the adverb or not, it will have a plural. But how can we decide whether it is a second declension noun, and thus take the nominative plural “prii” (as Rat suggests), or a fourth declension noun, and thus take the nominative plural “priūs”?
Can anyone help?
(*D. A. Kidd, 1959, Collins Latin Gem Dictionary, Collins, London and Glasgow.)
In February 2011, Toyota USA asked the US public to decide on what the most proper plural form of Prius should be, with choices including Prien, Prii, Prium, Prius, or Priuses. The company announced on 20 February that “Prii” was the most popular choice, and the new official plural designation in the US.
I once had a very funny “argument” with my daughter about whether the plural of “cactus” was “cactuses” or “cacti” (I said it was “cactuses” just to get her going). We had a grand time making fun of each other over it. Every once in a while, one of us still says “cactuses” (or “cacti”) and we giggle.
And I’ve seen MANY a Prius blow past me on the interstate pushing 90+, so they AREN’T slow…“Net hybrid system output is 134 bhp, allowing the Prius Plug-in to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in 10.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph).”
As a practical matter, “Prii” might be hard to understand. If the goal of words is to use them to communicate, it makes sense to use “Prius” and let the plural be understood from the context.
Toyota conducted a survey several years ago of Prius owners (including me) on the plural of Prius. Overwhelming vote for Prii as in I was harassed by a gang of Prii on the highway
It’s not necessary to put Latin (or Greek) suffixes on English words. However, if you do want to do that, then you should also put the word in italics to indicate that it’s foreign.
My stepson damaged his left hand when a piece of wood he was working on jammed in the table saw and flung itself with great force, impacting that hand. He lost most of his pointer finger, and damaged the middle finger pretty badly. When the doctor unwrapped his hand to look at it, and mentioned that he was going to lose one, maybe two fingers, my stepson said “You gotta save that middle finger doc… I need it for driving!”. The doctor apparently had to stop working for a moment until he got his laughter under control.
I never feel guilty about cutting off German imports that are frequently found passing people on the right at insanely unsafe rates of speed, because those jerks have been cutting me off for 50 years. Karma’s a bitch, ain’t it? If they flash lights at me, I drop 10MPH. If they honk, I role down the window and stick my arm out just to make sure that they can see my finger. If they pull up and give me that BS line that they are doctors and are racing to save a life, I give ‘em the other finger too, just for lying. The moral? Never mess with an old man in a big Buick, because we’ve seen it all, and heard it all, and just don’t give a rat’s ass anymore.
I’ve read that the Prii have surprisingly good acceleration and good high speed as well. But I don’t know.
Porsches are kinda meh to me. But I did see a Maserati in the grocery store parking lot Sunday (and we are not living in a Maserati-kind of neighborhood). I sympathize with Rat, and admire how he deflected Shades-Guy-with-a-Porsche from potential violence….
BE THIS GUY almost 5 years ago
Wonder what Rat does to drivers of Porsche SUVs?
einarbt almost 5 years ago
Suspect Rat gives everyone the finger plus a few $#%#. Very fair of him.
Bilan almost 5 years ago
Rat must need more hands for the new Porsche Taycan.
juncarlo almost 5 years ago
It’s intriguing as when we drive many we become aggressive people, no matter the education, profession or level of wealth. Our primitive instincts emerge, ironically these are a consequence of modern life.
Robin Harwood almost 5 years ago
According to my dictionary*, “prius” is an adverb (meaning “previously, before”), and so it does not have a plural.
“Prius” as the name of the car is a noun, and so, regardless of whether it is taken from the adverb or not, it will have a plural. But how can we decide whether it is a second declension noun, and thus take the nominative plural “prii” (as Rat suggests), or a fourth declension noun, and thus take the nominative plural “priūs”?
Can anyone help?
(*D. A. Kidd, 1959, Collins Latin Gem Dictionary, Collins, London and Glasgow.)
sirbadger almost 5 years ago
The plural of octopus is octopi, octopuses, or octopodes. I think that octopuses is the preferred plural.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/the-many-plurals-of-octopus-octopi-octopuses-octopodes
some idiot from R'lyeh Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Nothing binds people together like a common enemy.
gopher gofer almost 5 years ago
the collective noun for prius is a “smug of priuses”…
even smugger if you say “prii”…
Gent almost 5 years ago
What was Rat driving, a little tricycle?
wrloftis almost 5 years ago
We have a Prius, and last month I went by a fella on I-75 who was driving a Mustang 500 GT. If it’s going slowly, it’s by choice.
roaming26-37 almost 5 years ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Prius#Etymology_and_terminology
In February 2011, Toyota USA asked the US public to decide on what the most proper plural form of Prius should be, with choices including Prien, Prii, Prium, Prius, or Priuses. The company announced on 20 February that “Prii” was the most popular choice, and the new official plural designation in the US.
Breadboard almost 5 years ago
Wow … Rat told somebody they were #1 then changed it to #2 ;-) … Croc Power !
everett_r0 almost 5 years ago
Another life lesson, everything is a matter of perspective, and everyone has a different one….
walstib Premium Member almost 5 years ago
“My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.”
Ellis97 almost 5 years ago
Some chick in high school did that to me every time I walked out of the school.
3hourtour Premium Member almost 5 years ago
… actually, my Prius gets better fuel economy going 80mph than it does at 65mph…
…I went to St.Louis from Columbus on a single 10 gallon tank of gas and didn’t have to fuel up until after crossing the Mississippi…
… I’ve been rolling coaled numerous times
…and always laugh with it…
…54 mpg, baby!…
uniquename almost 5 years ago
I once had a very funny “argument” with my daughter about whether the plural of “cactus” was “cactuses” or “cacti” (I said it was “cactuses” just to get her going). We had a grand time making fun of each other over it. Every once in a while, one of us still says “cactuses” (or “cacti”) and we giggle.
mogenhan almost 5 years ago
I’m going with my gut feeling for Prius drivers and a plural should just be “Penii”
Zebrastripes almost 5 years ago
Omg what a sing song!
Jethro Flatline almost 5 years ago
I never see Porsches speeding and I have never seen a Prius obeying the speed limit. I imagine the police pay too much attention to the wrong cars.
Masterskrain almost 5 years ago
By the way… is it “Pree-us”, or “Pry-us”???
And I’ve seen MANY a Prius blow past me on the interstate pushing 90+, so they AREN’T slow…“Net hybrid system output is 134 bhp, allowing the Prius Plug-in to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in 10.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph).”
dogbreath84 almost 5 years ago
It’s greek to me.
Agapostemon almost 5 years ago
Is Rat bonding with that guy? How sweet!
Call me Ishmael almost 5 years ago
Primus inter pares , perhaps ?
Major Matt Mason Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Remember: The difference between Porsches and porcupines is that with porcupines, the pricks are on the OUTSIDE…
LKrueger41 almost 5 years ago
I’ve known several Prius owners that I suspected are Jef’s brothers.
willie_mctell almost 5 years ago
If it’s second declension neuter it would be pria.
JoePaulson2 almost 5 years ago
Notably restrained Rat — him and the driver basically agree.
tinner2000 almost 5 years ago
I just flip off everyone!
gwillis1 almost 5 years ago
As a practical matter, “Prii” might be hard to understand. If the goal of words is to use them to communicate, it makes sense to use “Prius” and let the plural be understood from the context.
RobinskiAnother nerd who took four years of Latin
Snoots almost 5 years ago
My idea for the plural of Prius: Prius cars. :D
Dwagons is smarts. Dat cos we got two brains.
gerrishde almost 5 years ago
Toyota conducted a survey several years ago of Prius owners (including me) on the plural of Prius. Overwhelming vote for Prii as in I was harassed by a gang of Prii on the highway
zeexenon almost 5 years ago
Be thankful he didn’t add the toes too.
Herb L 1954 almost 5 years ago
Was it a front Porsche,or a back Porsche ;)
rick1881 almost 5 years ago
At this point, what does it matter?
asmbeers almost 5 years ago
Top Gear UK did a test. The conclusion was an 8-cylinder Jag got better gas mileage than a Prius when both did a trip going 55 mph.
RobertLawton almost 5 years ago
It’s not necessary to put Latin (or Greek) suffixes on English words. However, if you do want to do that, then you should also put the word in italics to indicate that it’s foreign.
I realize that’s old-school.
Scott S almost 5 years ago
I do that with bicyclists who blow the stop signs.
Publican999 almost 5 years ago
Robin you need a life!
comic4matt almost 5 years ago
I would say ‘’people in Prius’’, because you have to be mighty fat to fit in two Prius at once…
Concretionist almost 5 years ago
My stepson damaged his left hand when a piece of wood he was working on jammed in the table saw and flung itself with great force, impacting that hand. He lost most of his pointer finger, and damaged the middle finger pretty badly. When the doctor unwrapped his hand to look at it, and mentioned that he was going to lose one, maybe two fingers, my stepson said “You gotta save that middle finger doc… I need it for driving!”. The doctor apparently had to stop working for a moment until he got his laughter under control.
jonnytest almost 5 years ago
I never feel guilty about cutting off German imports that are frequently found passing people on the right at insanely unsafe rates of speed, because those jerks have been cutting me off for 50 years. Karma’s a bitch, ain’t it? If they flash lights at me, I drop 10MPH. If they honk, I role down the window and stick my arm out just to make sure that they can see my finger. If they pull up and give me that BS line that they are doctors and are racing to save a life, I give ‘em the other finger too, just for lying. The moral? Never mess with an old man in a big Buick, because we’ve seen it all, and heard it all, and just don’t give a rat’s ass anymore.
Sisyphos almost 5 years ago
I’ve read that the Prii have surprisingly good acceleration and good high speed as well. But I don’t know.
Porsches are kinda meh to me. But I did see a Maserati in the grocery store parking lot Sunday (and we are not living in a Maserati-kind of neighborhood). I sympathize with Rat, and admire how he deflected Shades-Guy-with-a-Porsche from potential violence….
whelan_jj almost 5 years ago
A third hand is then needed for those driving a Tesla.
whelan_jj almost 5 years ago
Extrapolating from Lexus commercials, it has to be Priuses.
rgcviper almost 5 years ago
If the correct plural form isn’t “Prii”, it should be! It always has been for me, anyway …