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Joined: Dec 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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So for example the 'enter' button on computer keyboards is sometimes called the 'return' button. The word 'return' in this context is a vestigial reference to the 'carriage return' function of a typewriter. Hitting 'return' on a computer keyboard enters data or inserts a new paragraph marker, etc, it does not make the carriage on the printer return to the left, but we still say 'hit return.' It does make the cursor return to the left side of the screen. The whole bit about ringing reminds me that hanging up a phone would qualify, too. The British "ring off" (do y'all still say that?) is even moreso.
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Joined: Feb 2008
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old hand
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old hand
Joined: Feb 2008
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So for example the 'enter' button on computer keyboards is sometimes called the 'return' button. The word 'return' in this context is a vestigial reference to the 'carriage return' function of a typewriter. Hitting 'return' on a computer keyboard enters data or inserts a new paragraph marker, etc, it does not make the carriage on the printer return to the left, but we still say 'hit return.' It does make the cursor return to the left side of the screen. The whole bit about ringing reminds me that hanging up a phone would qualify, too. The British "ring off" (do y'all still say that?) is even moreso. Perhaps Australians and Americans have more hangups than Brits. We say the same as you. It reminds me of the Thunderbirds marionettes - remember when they'd say, "I'll just hang up the phone now" whilst placing this oversized phone attached to fishing line above their heads?
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Rather than a holding on to cultural cliches, I think The Pook's analysis of semantic shift is more to the point. Another example might be the word tap. Originally it meant 'to strike lightly' as in "he tapped on the table with his pencil." It was then used as a verb describing what one did to insert the device one used to draw beer from a barrel and thence to the device itself. This device was still called a tap even when it was screwed into the barrel and tap then became the device used to cut female threads into something.
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stranger
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stranger
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I was pleasantly surprised to watch this past Sunday's 60 MINUTES and see that the concept of skeuomorph was brought up by General Motors' Vice Chairman Robert Lutz. He was discussing how the Volt (a new electric car) would be quiet so they would develop audio CDs with the engine sounds of various makes and models for anyone who would miss the sound of engines revving. I love seeing the concept in action for words I've just learned. Thank you!
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old hand
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old hand
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Are they going to have it playing outside the vehicles? It might be needed as a safety measure. I can speak to this personally because I was almost hit by an electric car (they are being created and test-driven by GM in my neighborhood) walking out of the grocery store because it had started to move when I was out of sight, but heading towards the crosswalk, and I didn't hear it, so I started to cross. It really startled me, and I hope the driver learned something, too. Anyone buying an electric car should have an inservice about the ramifications of engine silence. Any motorcyclist will tell you that a quiet motorcycle is a deadly one, and they have to be extremely careful. You are safer inside a car, but, I'm sure, still not wanting to be involved in accidents. :0)
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Joined: Jun 2002
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
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funny things, eyes. they just don't see what you don't look at.
formerly known as etaoin...
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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funny things, eyes. they just don't see what you don't look at. Then there are those who cannot look at. The blind have this problem all the time with electric cars.
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old hand
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old hand
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Pedestrians have the right-of-way in crosswalks, even if they look to the right first because that's the direction the entering traffic comes from... :0)
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enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 390 |
even if they look to the right first because that's the direction the entering traffic comes from... :0) In many countries, but not all.
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old hand
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old hand
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I was speaking specifically about my looking to the right in front of that grocery store because the cars enter the parking lot from that direction. It has nothing to do with the country I'm in...
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