2 Jan
2002
2 Jan
'02
4:03 a.m.
This is a grey issue. Brand names often become
generic. I bet when you
want an "aspirin" you don't ask for a "pain reliever" or
"analgesic", and, unless you are a polymer chemist, what would you call
"styrofoam" other than "styrofoam"? Examples abound:
Kleenex, Band-aid, Thermos (from King-Sealy Thermos), Frisbee, etc. The
purpose of language is to communicate with precision, and
sometimes the most precise way is to use the "common usage" term. You
would sound pretty preposterous asking someone to toss you
that "plastic flying disc."
Ok.. THANK YOU... this is the whole point. Crescent Wrench, Yo-Yo,
Centronics... it matters not what the "correct" name is... what matters
is that people understand what you are talking about, and that means,
sometimes the "common name" takes over.
Why is it that when it comes to a wrench, people can understand this, but
when it comes to connectors they get their underwear in a bunch? My guess
is, for the same reason I see red every time someone pulls out a video
camera and says "let me film this"... it is TAPE damnit not film... to
"normal" people, this makes no difference, to someone that spent years
working in TV, it makes all the difference in the world (and if confused
when talking about going on location for a shoot, you could wind up with
a radically different set of equipment).
-chris
<http://www.mythtech.net>