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The ocean is a strange place after dark

bbc.com

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Re: The ocean is a strange place after dark

#31

Post by njarboe »

gnaritas wrote: post #12
colechristensen wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's popular isn't always correct and dictionaries by definition reflect usage. That is unless it doesn't literally kill you that literally now actually means figuratively too.

> What's popular isn't always correct and dictionaries by definition reflect usage. What's popular is correct by definition, that's why dictionaries reflect usage, they don't prescribe it. Language is about communication, not syntax, people do use "literally" when they mean figuratively and you know it, I know it, so they are communicating, the word has obtained new meaning. Words are not static things.

Some cultures put more emphasis on the top down approach than others. France[1] tends to be more into top down control of its language than the English.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dictionnaire_de_l%27Acad%C3%A9...

Re: The ocean is a strange place after dark

#32

Post by jjtheblunt »

contingo wrote: post #21
ystvn wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oxford Dictionary disagrees with Merriam-Webster: https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/octopus

This whole discussion is somewhat moot as a real biologist would almost always write "species of octopus", singular.

or, Latin 5th declension plural, also "species (plural) of octopus"

Re: The ocean is a strange place after dark

#33

Post by Gustomaximus »

owlmirror wrote: post #25
Gustomaximus wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are significantly different levels of bioluminescence. You see some regularly. Occasionally it's truly glowing. Once I saw it at incredible levels. I was fortunate to be with friends and a spot we could swim. We were diving from about 3m above the water and watching our bodies go through the water leaving these tunnels of glow. If you were the diver and looked back your skin was glowing. Very cool and I can sug…

Where was that and at what time in the year?

Sydney and not sure time of year. I dont remember it being cold so probably around summer.

Re: The ocean is a strange place after dark

#34

Post by SophieHR »

danesparza wrote: post #19
SophieHR wrote: post #17

Saw a document once about red octopuses called red devils that attack in pack during night. Definitely not a fun thought to have.

Turns out the 'red devils' you are referring to are squid not octopuses: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humboldt_squid It's OK -- I didn't know either, until right now. Thanks for the tip!

Thank you too, i will correct myself for the future XD
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