Fo-sigh!

As is well known, before one can gain a degree in Sociology or Cultural Studies, one must master more than just the ability to "unpack a text" (or pack a pomo multisyllable).

No degrees are awarded to any person who clings to the abhorrent practice of saying "forums". It's fora or the door. (And you'll never get a job on ABC unless you can speak pomo.) We're all prepared for fora. Of course, we wonder whether those academics and journalists take their children to circi to see the elephants and clowns.

Nothing, however, could have prepared me for "fo-sigh" -- that's how the chap being interviewed pronounced "focuses" ... I mean, 'foci'. Did I say 'focuses'? I do beg your pardon.

These are the sorts of people who I love to hear say "platypi", as they believe it's the plural of 'platypus'. Of course, they're about three feet up their own bums, because they don't realise that the platypus has a Greek name, not a Latin one. Thus the plural form doesn't look like the plural of 'cactus'. The '-pus' ending is Greek for 'foot', and 'platy' means flat. It's 'platypodae', not 'platypi', but I really don't think it's sporting to tell these Sunday pundits. Fo-sigh!