Shop Press

Shop Press is the news and idea hub for everything related to working on cars and trucks, focusing on repair, technology, and wrenching lifestyle.

From the creative minds at:

FEATURE STORY

Hot Off the Press

The Real Meanings Behind OBD-II Diagnostic Trouble Codes (VIDEO)

Description When the check engine light (CEL) pops up and your OBD-II scan tool displays a code, that’s only the start of the diagnostic process. By breaking down the structures used to create DTCs, you can learn how to “decode” beyond the simple descriptions...

What’s Torque-to-Angle All About?

Torque-to-angle, also known as angle-torque or torque-plus-angle, is a fastening method that combines an initial torque application with a subsequent angular rotation to achieve precise bolt or fastener tension. This technique ensures consistent clamping force,...

Hybrid A/C Compressor Oil-ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Description Technician A is working on a hybrid vehicle’s air conditioning system that utilizes a high voltage electrical compressor. Technician B says that only the oil specified by the vehicle manufacturer should be used in the compressor. Technician A says PAG oil...

Troubleshooting a “No A/C Compressor Engagement” Fault

As the weather warms, more and more of your customers will be switching over their HVAC control settings to “max A/C”. If the system doesn’t respond by blowing that refreshing cool air into their faces, they will show up at your door to find out why. When faced with...

Diesel Engines and Racing

Nearly every conceivable version of the internal combustion engine has made its way to the Indy 500. But it was a 1931 entry of a rather unusual type that made it into the record books as the first to complete the entire 500-mile race without a pit stop. That entry...

Recovering A/C Refrigerant-ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Description Technician A is preparing to recover the refrigerant from a customer’s vehicle. All of the below are steps he should take when performing this service EXCEPT: A) Test for the presence of sealant in the vehicle systemB) Identify the type of refrigerant the...

Whaddya call two hybrid Toyotas?

by | Mar 29, 2022

No, it’s not a dad joke.

Mike Principato and I recently were wondering what the plural of “Prius” is, because we needed to reference multiple vehicles in some copy. Now, even though we get paid to sling words around this joint, we don’t work in Latin too much, and I didn’t take it in high school. (Although to be honest, I think Mike’s so old that he may have been speaking it during his formative years.) I realized after looking at something he had written that I didn’t have a dang clue about what the plural should be. “Prius” is actually a Latin term for something that comes before or precedes. So whaddya call two of ‘em?

Prius badge

This is definitely how the singular form is spelled. Toyota Motor Co. image.

Before I answer that, I’m gonna pinch a quick excerpt from a Merriam-Webster article to explain why this is not cut-and-dried. “One common misconception floating around the English language is the notion that all Latin-derived nouns that end in the suffix -us in the singular should end in -i when they are plural…However, there are quite a few Latin nouns that do not have an -i plural even in their original language that have become naturalized in the English language.”

Now for the answer to the article title and the reason why:

The pluralized form is Prii. Why? Because Toyota announced as much in 2011 with a press release I find completely absurd. They arrived at this conclusion by holding a poll and taking votes, and “Prii” won out. (Losers included Prius, Priuses, and Prium.)

Did this problem need solving by the manufacturer? Was this a great way to bring attention to the Prius sub brand? Should normal non-pedantic editors be permitted to disobey the laws of grammar decency? My answer to all of these is “nope.”

But no one asked me. Two Toyota hybrids parked next to each other, it seems, are Prii.

The articles and other content contained on this site may contain links to third party websites. By clicking them, you consent to Dorman’s Website Use Agreement.

Related Articles

Shop Press Comment Policy

Participation in this forum is subject to Dorman’s Website Terms & Conditions. Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline feedback
View all comments