I think you are right, and the OED does confirm that use: "The Italian plural form panini began to be interpreted as singular in English use in the late 20th cent. (compare quot. 1985); this was soon followed by the appearance of the English plural form paninis." I wasn't being entirely serious with my use of it; it always seems pompously over-pedantic to use it.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-17 08:27 am (UTC)