Both are true - I haven't heard of the pulpo one before but I'm sure there are loads of regional variations on everything.

For example, Harricot beans are referred to as 'judias blancas' in some areas and 'alubias blancas' in others.

Another saying that is used when someone is a 'bit' strange is
El es mas raro que un perro verde - he is stranger than a green dog

Another one you can use that makes sense in Spanish but not really in English (you'll work out why yourself..) is
Ha lluvido desde entonces - it has rained since then
This is used when a lot of time has passed between two events.