Terminology: vernacular vs latinate

[Clyde Hollinger]

J Patrick Draine wrote:
> 
> 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

Reminds me of the woman who phoned me and said, "A couple keys on my
piano don't work;  I think they have broken knees."  OK, I can see how
one might mix up knees and elbows.  (Or didn't the piano cooperate with
some gangsters?)

Clyde Hollinger