Q. How come the plural of “gladiolus” is “gladioli”? How can us be singular and I be plural?

A. You see, it comes from Latin, and--never mind. Let me just tell you that people who still speak Latin--in a little-known corner of southeastern Romania--have a lot of trouble with English intrusions into their language: “squid pro crow” and “scrumptious est delicto” on their menus, “Sic Transit Glorious Monday” for urban subway strikes at the beginning of the week, and “Abe has the corpses” in their law courts. It’s pretty much a trade-off. We take “excelsior” (singular) from them and they take “wood shavings” (plural) from us. Don’t worry about it. Just add a little water and put the flowers in.