[NTLUG:Discuss] Re: Multiple Linux'es (Was: Umm, I'm in need...)

[./aal]

Steve Baker wrote:
> 
> Allen Flick wrote:
> >
> > Kyle_Davenport at compusa.com wrote:
> >
> > > heh, you're a lawyer; you ought to know the plural of "ix" is "ices".  Several
> > > Linices.
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> >
> > I used to think "indices" was the only proper way to pluralize the
> > word "index".  But, I was challenged one day & I looked up in old
> > Webster Dictionary and low & behold, "indexes" is also listed as
> > a proper pluralization of "index".
> >
> > Therefore, I would assume that Linuxes is just as proper as Linices.
> 
> There is a long history in the computer business of pluralizing words
> that end in 'X' with 'en'.
> 
> Hence:
> 
>    Vax  -> Vaxen
>    Unix -> Unixen
> 
> So - Linux -> Linuxen.
> 
> Check out the Jargon file for the origins and history of this strange
> plural formation.
> 
> Personally, I don't think it's a word that you should pluralize - there
> is only one Linux - but it has multiple copies, releases, versions, flavors
> and distributions.
> 
> Hence:
> 
>    Many copies of Linux
>    Many versions of Linux
>    Many releases of Linux
>    Many flavors of Linux
>    Many distributions of Linux
> 
> ...but NEVER many Linuxen.
> 


I feel sorry for that nail, Steve, after all, you hit it so squarely.

./aal