calling etymologists OT

[Conrad Hoffsommer]

At 10:02 11/20/2002 -0800, you wrote:
>Steve,
>Isn't the shim that you're referring to a shim such as a soundboard shim - a
>piece inserted into a crack or slot?  The shim that Marcel is talking about is
>a flat piece inserted between two pieces being assembled to take up a gap or
>change the thickness.  This is perhaps a different word.
>
>Phil Ford


Marcel's "La cale" seems to be the closest to the thin tapered chunk of 
wood which one might use under the rear caster of an upright to level or 
prevent rocking.

I found this under "batiments"
    cale n. f.  .
.
Déf. :
Élément en bois ou en fer que l'on place sous la portée des poitrails, 
poutres, linteaux ou autres pièces horizontales, pour les mettre de niveau 
ou leur donner de l'assiette.


Conrad Hoffsommer - Music Technician
Luther College, 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 52101-1045
Voice-(563)-387-1204  //  Fax (563)-387-1076(Dept.office)

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