GUN LANGUAGE
- Thread starter crazyphil
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BLACKHAWKNJ
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Words, terminology, phrases, sayings, etc. start being used, then people forget their origins, wonder what they mean. I have read several discussions of the phrase "lock and load", people who have never handled or fired an M-1/M-14 find it confusing, somehow it sounds "backward" until they see it demonstrated.
OP
two-bit cowboy - As an old pilot, one word I never wanted to hear from
the guy in the control tower. When I ask permission for a left turn he
says RIGHT!
the guy in the control tower. When I ask permission for a left turn he
says RIGHT!
See, Phil, there you have it.
There "was" no phraseology in "the book" with only the word "right." How the heck were you supposed to understand what he meant?
Pilot-controller communication was a career-long challenge of mine. Even did a graduate thesis on the topic.
Nowadays I don't want to be constrained by "phraseology" in my life. It's the old "you say tomato, I say tomato" thing. They're spelled the same, but folks don't say 'em the same. Who cares? I cannot.
Have to admit, this thread has been a fun read, though. Thanks.
There "was" no phraseology in "the book" with only the word "right." How the heck were you supposed to understand what he meant?
Pilot-controller communication was a career-long challenge of mine. Even did a graduate thesis on the topic.
Nowadays I don't want to be constrained by "phraseology" in my life. It's the old "you say tomato, I say tomato" thing. They're spelled the same, but folks don't say 'em the same. Who cares? I cannot.
Have to admit, this thread has been a fun read, though. Thanks.
True, but at least the whole incident reminded some of us why our favorite toys SHOULD be referred to as weapons. Repeatedly.
Of course it is, but not because it was evolving; it was devolving.
Perhaps that is the reason why so many anti-gun folks believe that such guns can proliferate.
Over the years I have conditioned myself to use the term " magazine " correctly , although I never correct anyone for not doing so . The rest of it all is just not important enough to me to worry about . Although , that " booger hook / bang switch " thing makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck ...
"shoulder thing that goes up" (aka barrel shroud)
"Military grade" is annoying, as in "military grade weaponry", the latest scare term from the media. When I was in the Army, "military grade" generally denoted something of marginal quality that was 30 years out of date. Anyone remember the angle headed flashlight?
"Military grade" is annoying, as in "military grade weaponry", the latest scare term from the media. When I was in the Army, "military grade" generally denoted something of marginal quality that was 30 years out of date. Anyone remember the angle headed flashlight?
Protocall_Design
Member
The main one I don't like is "Hillary Hole" for the storage lock. I don't like Hillary Clinton to begin with, and it conjures up a truly disgusting mental image. I never did figure out what she had to do with S&W revolvers anyway.
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That, along with "booger hook" and "bang switch" (mentioned previously) are truly disgusting terms that appear to be popular with the Internet bumpkin faction.
ordnanceguy
Member
Stocks vs. grips?
When it comes to Smith & Wesson handguns I prefer to use the term that the Company uses: "stocks". See the attached 1977 vintage instruction/parts sheet for a Model 66 in which S&W identifies them as stocks. In the absence of a good reason to use some other term, my default is to use what the Company (or other manufacturer) identifies them as.
But context is important. If in casual conversation my gun buddy says grips instead of stocks why be pedantic and correct him? I know what he is saying. It's just not important in that context and does nothing to further the conversation.
In more formal methods of communication, however, I think that words do matter and that precision in language is desirable. I remember my mom, who had a very short career as a school teacher, telling me that "It's just as easy to say something the proper way as it is to say something the lazy way." That stuck with me and all these years later I think she was right. So, for me it depends on the context.
When it comes to Smith & Wesson handguns I prefer to use the term that the Company uses: "stocks". See the attached 1977 vintage instruction/parts sheet for a Model 66 in which S&W identifies them as stocks. In the absence of a good reason to use some other term, my default is to use what the Company (or other manufacturer) identifies them as.
But context is important. If in casual conversation my gun buddy says grips instead of stocks why be pedantic and correct him? I know what he is saying. It's just not important in that context and does nothing to further the conversation.
In more formal methods of communication, however, I think that words do matter and that precision in language is desirable. I remember my mom, who had a very short career as a school teacher, telling me that "It's just as easy to say something the proper way as it is to say something the lazy way." That stuck with me and all these years later I think she was right. So, for me it depends on the context.
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Stocks vs. grips?
When it comes to Smith & Wesson handguns I prefer to use the term that the Company uses: "stocks". See the attached 1977 vintage instruction/parts sheet for a Model 66 in which S&W identifies them as stocks. In the absence of a good reason to use some other term, my default is to use what the Company (or other manufacturer) identifies them as.
But context is important. If in casual conversation my gun buddy says grips instead of stocks why be pedantic and correct him? I know what he is saying. It's just not important in that context and does nothing to further the conversation.
In more formal methods of communication, however, I think that words do matter and that precision in language is desirable. I remember my mom, who had a very short career as a school teacher, telling me that "It's just as easy to say something the proper way as it is to say something the lazy way." That stuck with me and all these years later I think she was right. So, for me it depends on the context.
Good post. Words do matter.
I grit my teeth every time terminology and supposed correct names for gun related stuff is discussed or corrected by some well meaning detail doctor.
They are the same people I run into fly fishing.
When I hear them talking about the hatch or nymphs the trout are eating and using the Latin name for a bug I have to move up or down river before I pick up an igneous or sedimentary projectile from the river bank and propel it in their direction
They are the same people I run into fly fishing.
When I hear them talking about the hatch or nymphs the trout are eating and using the Latin name for a bug I have to move up or down river before I pick up an igneous or sedimentary projectile from the river bank and propel it in their direction
