Terminology: vernacular vs latinate terms

[James Grebe]

Hi Pat,
I have a book here somewhere about Techspeak.  In it, Socks are referred to
as Podiatric bushings.  Is that what you mean?
James Grebe
R.P.T. of the P.T.G
pianoman@inlink.com
Creator of Handsome Hardwood Caster Cups and Practical Piano Peripherals in
St. Louis, MO
-----Original Message-----
From: J Patrick Draine <draine@mediaone.net>
To: pianotech@ptg.org <pianotech@ptg.org>
Date: Tuesday, November 03, 1998 7:24 AM
Subject: Terminology: vernacular vs latinate


>Dear List:
>On the one hand, it's great that we have a work like "Piano Parts and Their
>Functions", complied by Merle Mason.
>On the other hand, don't we suffer from linguistically "low status
>terminology"?
>When I ask my MD what the scratchy dry patch of skin on my arm is, she
>replies "Hmmm, looks like ankylitic keratosis"; since I avoided studying
>Latin as a youth, I had to ask for an English translation.
>We, on the other hand, tell our customers "you need new bridle straps",
>"looks like pulley keys", etc. Our clients are dubious as we try to explain
>the meaning of such goofy terms.
>Are there any Latin scholars out there (Horace?) ready and willing to
>create a nice, highly impressive, Latin based version of Mason's "Piano
>Parts"?
>Have a good day,
>Patrick
>
>