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I had posted this elsewhere years ago... lets see what we get here

I´d say forget latin. Euphoniums and tubas (Euphonien und Tuben) are what we play. Both are younger than 170 years. If their inventors lacked the creativity and self-confidence not to choose latin or latin sounding words - well, tough!!

(Although I mockingly refer to "Euphonii" at times)

I don't about tuba plural. But plural of euphonium is "euphs".

The thing that bothers me the most is not knowing the correct way to refer to a collection of these instruments. Gaggle? Brace? There are a lot of good choices here:

http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/info/faqs/animals/names.htm

The term for locusts might be appropriate for some TubaChristmases; the term for crows might work too.

Being a scientist, I am used to talking about nuclei, radii and erethrocyti.
Therefore, I tend to use the plural euphonia (as euphonium is a third declension latin noun).
Oddly enough, I normally talk of tubas, not tubae, when discussing piles(!) of them.

Referring to the multiple of 'euphonium' as 'euphs' is a euphemism.

What is the Plural of "euphonium" and "tuba"?

How can you have a plural of two dissimilar objects? That's like asking "What is the plural of moose and squirrel?"

Therefore, I've got to go with the answer to life, the universe, and everything.

42.

GC wrote:Referring to the multiple of 'euphonium' as 'euphs' is a euphemism.

By George, I think euph got it!

Ask yourself if your tuba is more of a feminine instrument. Or is it masculine? I would follow classic Latin style conventions:

tuba-singular female
tubus-singular male

Probably female, right? Then use:

tubae-plural female, or
tubi-plural male or plural of both genders

"Euphonium" is a bastard formation--a Latin ending on an otherwise Greek word. We might be better off calling the training tuba a "euphonion". Perhaps the plural would then be "euphonioi".

I've always hated the word euphonium -- and agree with Chuck's callling it a "bastard," well, "bastard formation." The word reeks of high Victorian wordsmithing, and is so old fashioned it's a joke.

Wish we had another name for it. Wish the word baritone wasn't preempted (among the faithful) for the small bore saxhorn used in brass bands.

So it goes.

John

finnbogi wrote:Being a scientist, I am used to talking about nuclei, radii and erethrocyti.
Therefore, I tend to use the plural euphonia (as euphonium is a third declension latin noun).
Oddly enough, I normally talk of tubas, not tubae, when discussing piles(!) of them.

I's wit you.

MA

Dean E wrote:Ask yourself if your tuba is more of a feminine instrument. Or is it masculine? I would follow classic Latin style conventions:

tuba-singular female
tubus-singular male

Probably female, right? Then use:

tubae-plural female, or
tubi-plural male or plural of both genders

Oh, come on! Tubas are boys; I mean, look at the tubes....look at the valves....do you see anything female-ish on there? I mean, where are the boobies? None! No Where! Maybe they are boys named Sue, but they are boys!

MA

JTJ wrote:Wish we had another name for it. Wish the word baritone wasn't preempted (among the faithful) for the small bore saxhorn used in brass bands.

Tenorium?

windshieldbug wrote:

JTJ wrote:Wish we had another name for it. Wish the word baritone wasn't preempted (among the faithful) for the small bore saxhorn used in brass bands.

Tenorium?

Bellasonium?

TubaView wrote:perhaps a "shatter of Sousaphones"
a "flock of Tubas"
a "barrel of Euphoniums"

but I ramble....

That's it!!! A "ramble" of tubas!

Chuck(G) wrote:"Euphonium" is a bastard formation--

So that's why our euph section is called a bunch of bastards!!

Teubonium wrote:

Chuck(G) wrote:"Euphonium" is a bastard formation--

So that's why our euph section is called a bunch of bastards!!

I don't think that is the reason.

MaryAnn wrote:

Dean E wrote:Ask yourself if your tuba is more of a feminine instrument. Or is it masculine? I would follow classic Latin style conventions:

tuba-singular female
tubus-singular male

Probably female, right? Then use:

tubae-plural female, or
tubi-plural male or plural of both genders

Oh, come on! Tubas are boys; I mean, look at the tubes....look at the valves....do you see anything female-ish on there? I mean, where are the boobies? None! No Where! Maybe they are boys named Sue, but they are boys!

MA

OK, MaryAnn. I understand your point, and I'll take the bait.
Warmup time, listening and making tone adjustments, digital and mouth techniques, sympathetic harmonics, frequency adjustments, and bore and bell aperture data would be on my list.

Yes.

Rick "or, No" Denney

I'll vote for "euphs" and the UK English "basses"