How Did Firearms Become Platforms??

[S&WIowegan]

I think the OP is a cunning linguist. Nothing dirty about what I posted...it's all in your dirty minds.

 

[Ziggy2525]

Words, as with all symbols, have no inherent meaning. Thus, any current meaning was derived from a process of negotiation via human interaction. As the meaning of symbols comes from a process of negotiation, meaning is also subject to a continual process of renegotiation through the aggregate of our interactions. Dictionaries provide us with a great reference to current and past meanings of words, but may eventually be out of date by the continuing evolution of meaning.

The term platform is an excellent example to illustrate shifts in meaning. Another is the term decimate. Previous and current dictionaries define decimate as "reducing by 10 percent". However, this term is now often used as a synonym for devastate, which is why some dictionaries have started including this new definition.

In the same vein, people also ignore a byproduct of most technology industries is mainstreaming new words in English by converting nouns to verbs. Mechanize, atomize, projectize...

 

[VaTom]

Most recently heard many folks using “mansplain”. Was put in Oxford dictionary last year. Can’t believe a made up, blended, slang word such as this is put in a dictionary. My college English professor would red line and take off points.

 

[Old_Cop]

There is a department in the pentagon which creates acronyms , or words like tier one operators instead of special forces soldiers. Tasked is a noun repurposed as a verb, so much easier than being given a task. Weapons platforms sounds so cool, have I mansplained this for all of you Karens?

 

[Rustyt1953]

Call 'em what you want. They still won't come.

 

[rockquarry]

What is an "operator"?

 

[Absalom]

There is a department in the pentagon which creates acronyms , or words like tier one operators instead of special forces soldiers. Tasked is a noun repurposed as a verb, so much easier than being given a task.

And can we mention artificial copspeak?

“The suspect exited his vehicle”, when he got out out of his car

I remember a particular example from a book about Newhall because I actually discussed this with a friend with 25 years LE experience:

“The officers acquired a visual on the suspects’ vehicle.”

My friend said that one year out of the academy he’d have written that too. Ten years later he’d just have put that they saw the car.

 

[VaTom]

And can we mention artificial copspeak?

“The suspect exited his vehicle”, when he got out out of his car

I remember a particular example from a book about Newhall because I actually discussed this with a friend with 25 years LE experience:

“The officers acquired a visual on the suspects’ vehicle.”

My friend said that one year out of the academy he’d have written that too. Ten years later he’d just have put that they saw the car.

Here is another. When describing (in court) an intoxicated college student who had been arrested for public intoxication the officer testified that he smelled alchol "on or about his person". Defense attorney seized on it and told how beer was often spilled on each other at crowded fraternity parties, etc. Judge dismissed the case. All the officer had to say was I smelled alcoholic beverage on the persons breath>

 

[Speedo2]

Firearms as platforms snuck into the vernacular around the same time that members on gun forums became tiered operators.

With manbuns.

 

[steelslaver]

I am a long way from the language police and although I don't use platform myself it doesn't really bug me. I can manage to see minty without to much heartburn. Grips, clips, and "long" colt don't make me even blink.

But, it is a revolver not a ******* "wheelie"

 

[Tilheyra]

I am a long way from the language police and although I don't use platform myself it doesn't really bug me. I can manage to see minty without to much heartburn. Grips, clips, and "long" colt don't make me even blink.

But, it is a revolver not a ******* "wheelie"

Rooty Tooty Twirly Shooty

 

[okiegtrider]

This thread is a kind of fun trip down a rabbit hole of word choices. You have hit upon one here that has caused me some real stress. In the last few months it has become part of my job to try and teach a group of cops not to write like this. These guys are going to be the end of me I think.

And can we mention artificial copspeak?

“The suspect exited his vehicle”, when he got out out of his car

I remember a particular example from a book about Newhall because I actually discussed this with a friend with 25 years LE experience:

“The officers acquired a visual on the suspects’ vehicle.”

My friend said that one year out of the academy he’d have written that too. Ten years later he’d just have put that they saw the car.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Firearms became platforms the same way weight became grain.

Now there are lighter grain and heavier grain bullets. Did you know that?

What grain bullet do you like to use?

 

[pharos]

How about “Goodyears” for rubber grips, “bang switch” for trigger,
“booger hook” for trigger finger, etc.? Guess I’m getting old.

 

[LVSteve]

This thread is a kind of fun trip down a rabbit hole of word choices. You have hit upon one here that has caused me some real stress. In the last few months it has become part of my job to try and teach a group of cops not to write like this. These guys are going to be the end of me I think.

I've done a great deal of technical writing, reviewing and tech editing on some tricky technical subjects. Persuading those with multiple Masters Degrees and PhDs to write about their complicated stuff in a simple manner is an uphill battle. Maybe I find it easier being the Associate's Degree dummy in the room.

Years ago I had the honor of working for a guy who was pretty "up there" in his field. One day he brought me a paper and asked me to read through it looking for errors. I was flattered, but knowing my limitations I asked him, "Am I going to understand any of this?"

He sort of started and said, "Well, that would be nice, but the thing is I cannot spell for toffee. Go through it and keep me out of trouble, please". I did as asked. I was not too sure as to the validity of some of the technical content, but he was bang on about his spelling abilities.

 

[RobertJ.]

How about “Goodyears” for rubber grips, “bang switch” for trigger,
“booger hook” for trigger finger, etc.? Guess I’m getting old.

I must be getting old, too, because these are what I was going to list!

As far as "platform", it annoyed me at first, and while I don't use the word, at least I understand why someone would.