What is the plural of bolus?

[taserlaser]

Figured a light hearted topic was in order. The topic came up in chart review, with some preferring one term or the other. A quick search shows both used in the published literature. So, what is your preferred term?

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[medgator]

Google image search shows boli to be a dish from South India/kerala, similar in appearance to roti.

https://cookpad.com/us/recipes/2610619-kerala-boli

 

[taserlaser]

Google image search shows boli to be a dish from South India/kerala, similar in appearance to roti.

https://cookpad.com/us/recipes/2610619-kerala-boli

I almost listed biryani as an option as well, but resisted

 

[metallica81788]

Would love for it to be "boli," as I am a huge fan of the us --> i pluralism. However, "boluses" just seems right in our context.

Maybe we should do a retrospective chart review to validate its use? Red journal worthy, certainly.

 

[Chartreuse Wombat]

Bolus is from the Greek so the answer is boluses. In Latin second declension masculine -us usually becomes -i in the plural. Many mistakenly use opus, opera as an exception but everyone knows that opus is third declension neuter.

 

[scarbrtj]

English, a Germanic language, is so confusing for pluralization. If you were in Greece or Rome ~1000-2000y ago and wanted to say "lump" you wouldn't have added an English sounding "-es" to the Greek or Latin words; the end sound would sound like "oy eye" or "eye" (or Latin "ee" really). The peribolus (peribolos) when pluralized is spelled as and sounds as "periboloi"(Greek-ish) or "periboli" (Latin-ish). Medicine/science tends to follow the Greek/Latin pretty closely, by tradition, but has allowed some exceptions from this as in the case of uterus/uteruses. But it's been few and far between. Think how odd English pluralization would be for:

Alveolus -> alveoli
Embolus -> emboli
Nucleolus -> nucleoli
Malleolus -> malleoli

So I think by tradition, for sure, and I believe on technicality, I'm less sure, "boluses" is a mistake. But not a huge one. I believe the best example is "embolus," because I really have never read "emboluses." FWIW I say "boli"... but I also say octopi.

EDIT: As an aside, whenever Ebola and E. coli are in the news at the same time, surprising to hear how many lay people say "Did you hear about that E. boli breakout?"

 

[evilbooyaa]

Boli. - BOWL-eye. But in clinical practice I'm not going to bat an eye if people say boluses.

To differentiate from Boli (BOH-lee), asmentioned above by medgator

 

[Chartreuse Wombat]

Each dictionary site I can find says boluses.

Bolus Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

Bolus definition: A round mass.

www.yourdictionary.com

Definition of BOLUS

a rounded mass: such as; a large pill; a soft mass of chewed food… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

 

[medgator]

Boli. - BOWL-eye. But in clinical practice I'm not going to bat an eye if people say boluses.

To differentiate from Boli (BOH-lee), asmentioned above by medgator

Or bolo.... Like the tie

Never Underestimate the Bolo Tie, Baby

Been thinking about wearing a bolo tie, but afraid you'll look goofy in it? Here's your how to wear a bolo tie guide, partner.

www.artofmanliness.com

 

[scarbrtj]

Each dictionary site I can find says boluses.

Bolus Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

Bolus definition: A round mass.

www.yourdictionary.com

Definition of BOLUS

a rounded mass: such as; a large pill; a soft mass of chewed food… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

Your point about the Greek was good... perhaps it should really be "boloi"? The Greek βωλος ("bolos": a lump, which became the Latin bolus) plural is βώλοι ("boloi"). Makes sense since peribolus plural is periboloi. But wow, emboloi would be a tongue twister.

Definition of EMBOLUS

an abnormal particle (such as an air bubble) circulating in the blood… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

Definition of PERIBOLOS

an enclosed court especially about a temple of classical times; also : the wall of such a court… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

 

[Palex80]

Figured a light hearted topic was in order. The topic came up in chart review, with some preferring one term or the other. A quick search shows both used in the published literature. So, what is your preferred term?

10 mm.