[4380r]

The plural of Lotus used to pop up all the time, and you still see the occasional 'Loti' in a post.

For what it's worth, in a recent edition of Lotus ReMarque the attached appeared. It's a bulletin from the Lotus factory circa the late 1960's (references the Twin Cam) that puts to rest the issue of the plural of Lotus.

 

[addertooth]

Yep, if it had just settled the term for a lotus fan:
LOTUSONIANS
LOTITES
LOTIPHILES
LOTANS
PROLOTILITES
PROLOTIPHILONIANS
INSANE
ETC...

 

[XHILR8N!]

Thanks. My last name ends in s and the possessive is as mentioned in this bullentin, just the #####s'
People try to add another s but it's unpronounceable.

 

[addertooth]

In the future I will be most careful when I speak of XHILR8N!S' possessions.

 

[XHILR8N!]

Like the bulletin said, some words are "horrible".

We can't always use correct English, I certainly don't, but sometimes it's just appropriate.

 

[JamesD]

Thank you! I hate the word loti (disrespect it so much it does not even get a capital l)
I don't know what clown ever thought of loti as a plural

 

[MTLDean]

Yep, if it had just settled the term for a lotus fan:
LOTUSONIANS
LOTITES
LOTIPHILES
LOTANS
PROLOTILITES
PROLOTIPHILONIANS
INSANE
ETC...

Agreed with either the Insane or Lotus-Eaters.

 

[KCZ]

Lotus tweeted a while back that "Lotus cars" was the plural of Lotus..

 

[ForeverLotus]

bless this post

 

[philethier]

Thank you! I hate the word loti (disrespect it so much it does not even get a capital l)
I don't know what clown ever thought of loti as a plural

Presumably a Roman, since "Lotus" is a Latin word.

 

[Aesthete]

I don't think "Loti" or "Lotuses" are any more horrible than having to say "I saw some nice Lotus at the car show yesterday".

 

[WayneB]

I've noticed over the years that pseudo-intellectuals (usually with beards) like to use the term " Loti"

Ordinary working class types like me tend to use "Lotuses" as it seems to be less confusing to most than simply using the term "Lotus" when there are more than one.

Whilst that Lotus press release from the '70's is a cool find, the only way to settle this debate 100% is for someone to ask Her Majesty the Queen for the answer as it is her language after all.

 

[MTLDean]

Presumably a Roman, since "Lotus" is a Latin word.

Isn't "Lotus" originally a Greek word? From "Lotos" ie. Lotus-eaters that appeared in Homers' Odysseus?

 

[Vulcan Grey]

I always say "Lotus Cars".

I do say Guinnei for plural of Guinness though... Usually after a few, or when ordering a round.

 

[Dephcon5]

bless this post

+1

 

[komiko]

I only wish my garage was stocked so that I had to use the plural...

 

[anthonyseven]

Greek words that came to English directly retain the i for the plural form.

Greek words that came to English indirectly, through Latin for example, do not retain the i for the plural form. (British English :UK: does make a few exceptions, but American English does not!)

Therefore, normal grammar rules apply. Lotuses is the correct plural form, regardless of how bad it sounds and notwithstanding memoranda to the contrary.

From this I conclude:

It is always correct to say "Lotuses" but it sounds wrong.
It is always incorrect to say "Loti" but it sounds goofy and/or academic
It is always a cop-out to avoid the issue and say "Lotus cars."

I say "Lotus cars."

 

[agirls]

Saved picture to use in next argument. I hate it when people say (or type) Loti. I always said Lotus cars.

 

[viacondotti]

Greek words that came to English directly retain the i for the plural form.

Greek words that came to English indirectly, through Latin for example, do not retain the i for the plural form. (British English :UK: does make a few exceptions, but American English does not!)

Therefore, normal grammar rules apply. Lotuses is the correct plural form, regardless of how bad it sounds and notwithstanding memoranda to the contrary.

From this I conclude:

It is always correct to say "Lotuses" but it sounds wrong.
It is always incorrect to say "Loti" but it sounds goofy and/or academic
It is always a cop-out to avoid the issue and say "Lotus cars."

I say "Lotus cars."

No to your first and second premises, but I do agree with "Lotuses" as a pretty good solution. The Latin equivalent would be loti, which sounds horrible and pedantic, and even a Roman might correct you, since as "lotus" originates in the Greek λωτός, you'll find both lotos and lotus in Latin literature, and since the plural in Greek was "oi", not "i" (which is why "octopi" is completely wrong) you'll find lotoi in Latin as well. Moreover, if we stuck to the exact Latin in all instances we'd be forced to use prospectus as the plural of prospectus, for example, since that's how that particular declension made its plurals in Latin.

I have no idea what Chapman's rationale was, but he sure built great cars.

 

[XHILR8N!]

The entire issue was resolved with the press release, as though graven into stone tablets delivered from the mountaintop.

So the question is, what right does lotus have to clarify the matter.