NEXT Color Printer find

From: Louis Schulman <louiss_at_gate.net>
Date: Sun Dec 30 18:11:49 2001

On Sun, 30 Dec 2001 22:49:13 GMT, Pete Turnbull wrote:

#On Dec 30, 16:03, Louis Schulman wrote:
#
#> With all due respect, I disagree. The term "Centronics", whatever its
#original meaning, refers to a type of
#> connector. Looking at the Jameco catalog, for example, the catalog
#pictures 14, 24, 36 and 50 contact
#> male and female connectors, all referred to as "Centronics". I have
#never heard the term "blue ribbon" used
#> to describe these connectors.
#>
#No, Tony is correct. Just because a name is commonly (mis)used in a
#particular way, doesn't mean it's correct, especially in catalogues. This
#discussion has come up before in relation to "DB9" connectors etc. A
#Centronics connector is a specific size, 36pins. The other sizes (14, 20,
#24, 50, etc) are NOT Centronics connectors.

Well, this type of argument belongs in alt.sys.language_police, not here. English, as is the case with most
languages, evolves through usage. When does "misusage" become acceptable? When most people
accept the usage.

If you want to start disqualifying words because their usage began with misusage, you have your work cut
out for you. Catalogs refer to these connectors as "Centronics", because most people (including you and
Tony) know what they intend when they say this. If the catalogs said "blue ribbon" or "amphenol" most
people would not know what this means. In fact, "amphenol" is usually used to refer to a type of coaxial
antenna connector.

Possibly you and Tony are French, who actually have a govenment agency to police word usage.
Basically, you have no word to replace "Centronics", but propose that the name of this type of connector is
dependent on the number of pins, which in turn is dependent on its usual use.

I will give you guys the edge in computer technology, but on language matters, your expertise is
questionable.

(Note: For some reason or another, this note reads in a more hostile tone than intended. It's all in fun :-).)

Louis
Received on Sun Dec 30 2001 - 18:11:49 GMT