Re: [CR]Terminology

(Example: Events:BVVW)

In-Reply-To: <268080-220041232915596737@M2W049.mail2web.com>
References: <268080-220041232915596737@M2W049.mail2web.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2004 23:31:53 -0500
To: kohl57@starpower.net, stevens@veloworks.com, lists@peterwhitecycles.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Sheldon Brown" <CaptBike@sheldonbrown.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Terminology


Peter Choler wrote:
>Speaking only for myself, maybe we're all a bit grouchy because it's been
>SO darned cold in much of this fair land that we can't ride our bikes,
>original, bastardised, parted out or off-topic as they might be.
>
>And whilst on the subject of Terminology: only American bikes like Schwinns
>and Huffys have "Fenders". British and European bikes have MUDGUARDS.
>
>Peter Kohler

Welllll, that's true of British bikes, but not European. F'rinstance, if they're French they have "gardes boues."

There are a very large number of differences between British and American usage, especially where technical terms for devices invented after 1783 are concerned.

It's all well and good to celebrate these differences. Color/colour, wrench/spanner, tire/tyre, coaster brake/back pedalling brake, generator/dynamo, aluminum/aluminium, center/centre et. al. ad nauseam.

These differences exist for valid historical reasons. However, when a partisan of one or the other national usages attributes the corresponding usage to ignorance or stupidity, that is chauvinistic and offensive.

Sheldon "Bi-Lingual In English" Brown Newtonville, Massachusetts +-----------------------------------------------------+ | If the King's English was good enough for Jesus, | | it's good enough for me! | | -- "Ma" Ferguson, Governor of Texas (circa 1920) | +-----------------------------------------------------+

--
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
http://harriscyclery.com
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
http://captainbike.com
Useful articles about bicycles and cycling
http://sheldonbrown.com