>SNIP
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>>Some people, myself included, say "the data are ...". I think it's daft to refer to a "data item" or "item of data" when you could say "datum".
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>I would gnaw my own arm off before I would utter the word "datum." I don't care if it's correct, it sounds pompous as hell. Let's put it in a long slow boat along with "peoples."

Curious. That just shows how obscure the word has become, even to the extent of people not knowing what it means. I'm surprised you're so opposed to it. You say "stadium" but would probably rip out your liver before saying "stadia" (so the opposite of your objection) then, because it's not in common use?

In truth, it's very rare that anyone would ever have to refer to a datum - usually it would be "that field" or such. Even when you say "the data is ..." you're referring to the plural.