Fungus is one - Fungi are lots

[Alantb]

Can we have a serious attempt to stop people saying and writing 'fungi' when they mean just one FUNGUS. At least once a week I come across this mistake and it's driving me even dafter than I usually am.
For the millionth time:-
FUNGI is the PLURAL (= more than one) of the word FUNGUS.
Since I believe I should put my money where my mouth is - every time this turns up in print I hereby resolve to correct the person as quickly as I can. This will make me unpopular but it will be a relief from the mental toothache that I get from seeing this error perpetuated by folk who should know better.

Look Out World - Pedantic Fungus-Man is coming for YOU!

Alan

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by Alantb

Can we have a serious attempt to stop people saying and writing 'fungi' when they mean just one FUNGUS. At least once a week I come across this mistake and it's driving me even dafter than I usually am.
For the millionth time:-
FUNGI is the PLURAL (= more than one) of the word FUNGUS.
Since I believe I should put my money where my mouth is - every time this turns up in print I hereby resolve to correct the person as quickly as I can. This will make me unpopular but it will be a relief from the mental toothache that I get from seeing this error perpetuated by folk who should know better.

Look Out World - Pedantic Fungus-Man is coming for YOU!

Alan

Are you suggesting I change my name to Fungusjohn Alan

A good point though Alan

John

[treecreeper]

Alan, I hope you're not one of these people who pronounce 'fungi' with a soft G, as 'funji'?. It's almost as bad as the occasionally-heard hard G in 'margarine'.

[KeenTeen17]

I think there was actual pronunciation of "fungi" on the pronunciation of fungi names thread. I find it quite annoying but am guilty myself sometimes

[solus]

Originally Posted by FungiJohn

Are you suggesting I change my name to Fungusjohn Alan

John

I shouldn't think that would be at all appropriate with the number you find!

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by treecreeper

Alan, I hope you're not one of these people who pronounce 'fungi' with a soft G, as 'funji'?. It's almost as bad as the occasionally-heard hard G in 'margarine'.

firstly I'm glad it was Alan who had the rant - it's been bugging me as well, but I have reluctantly been restraining myself for fear of being dubbed pedantic; I just kept making sure that I used the singular 'fungus' as much as possible in the hope that 'offenders' might get the hint; (it actually isn't pedantry at all - just plain wrong - you would not post on the relevant forum with "what is this birds please?", after all)

as to 'Funji' . . . . Roy Watling calls them - in the sense of 'funj-eye' - this and I would certainly not wish to correct him on matters mycological

cheers

Chris

[NickCantle]

Does it really matter that much? Ok, it does...but I don't think it should drive you mad Alan.

[treecreeper]

Originally Posted by Chris Yeates

as to 'Funji' . . . . Roy Watling calls them - in the sense of 'funj-eye' - this and I would certainly not wish to correct him on matters mycological

I'll bet he says marggarine

[ron1863]

I just hope that nobody sees fit to drive Alan even madder than he is by constantly referring to singular Fungi

[Alantb]

Well that touched a few sympathetic nerves at least! Am I preaching to the converted? Shall we keep at it?
And thanks for Chris's excellent point "....it actually isn't pedantry at all - just plain wrong - you would not post on the relevant forum with "what is this birds please?", after all....."

As for the pronunciation of 'fungi', anybody can of course say the word how they like but it shouldn't actually matter except to extreme linguists because if referring to a plural subject the word is being used correctly - unlike, I think in Chinese, where non-standard pronunciation of a word can make it a different word.

All part of life's rich mess of pottage (or should that be 'potage'?).
Cheers, Alan