On Sat, 6 Aug 2016, Brian Barker wrote:
At 13:43 06/08/2016 -0700, Jim McLaughlin wrote:
I suggest that we agree to disagree ...
You can disagree without my needing to agree that you can. If agreeing to
disagree means that I accept that "virii" is as arguable as "viruses", then I
don't.
... each knowing that we are each separately correct as to preferred usages
in our respective geographic areas.
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language says "viruses".
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary says "viruses". Other
dictionaries give no irregular plural, implying the same. Sorry, but your
defence of "virii" as an Americanism is simply untrue: USian dictionaries
imply it's a misuse even there.
just a quick (last) word: I take dictionaries to describe usage, not
prescribe it thus they lag actual usage.
not sure what authority dictionary writers would have to dictate
usage anyway.
f.
--
Felmon Davis
"All my life I wanted to be someone; I guess I should have been more
specific."
-- Jane Wagner
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