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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
The word "cochlear" in the Thayer site is said to mean both screw and snail. The Greeks had olive oil and wine presses based on a wooden screw by 100 BC. But metal screws did not appear until the 1500s. I first heard the word describing the structure in the inner ear, which does look like a smail with conical helix. I couldn't find any pictures of the wine or oil presses, but I suppose they looked something like the first printing presses. I used to wonder if the snail shell inspired the invention of the screw as a boring tool, an auger.
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757 |
A slow screw that augured well for the future?
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
I'm sure this will Phill-up and spiral with many bad puns... better quickly find your slot...
formerly known as etaoin...
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
As a semirhotic Bostonian, I regret having added a superfluous "r" at end of this word.
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