Posted by Bill Johnson on January 31, 2001 at 00:35:43:
In Reply to: When divers talk, tanks are used to hold compressed gas. posted by Eins on January 30, 2001 at 20:38:39:
Eins,
The manufactures call them cylinders, the predicessor to the DOT called it a cylinder BEFORE scuba existed, the CGA calls it a cylinder, and the following is from www.m-w.com. Just because someone refers to an object incorrectly doesn't make it that name. Why would I call it the wrong name when I know the right name?
Main Entry: tank
Pronunciation: 'ta[ng]k
Function: noun
Etymology: Portuguese tanque, alteration of estanque, from estancar to stanch, perhaps from (assumed) Vulgar Latin stanticare -- more at STANCH
Date: 1609
1 dialect : POND, POOL; especially : one built as a water supply
2 : a usually large receptacle for holding, transporting, or storing liquids (as water or fuel)
3 : an enclosed heavily armed and armored combat vehicle that moves on tracks
4 : a prison cell or enclosure used especially for receiving prisoners
5 : TANK TOP
- tank·ful /-"ful/ noun
- tank·like /-"lIk/ adjective
While the m-w.com definition listed below doesn't define it as a pressurized vessel as other dictionaries do, it does elude to pressurization and propper shape.
Main Entry: cyl·in·der
Pronunciation: 'si-l&n-d&r
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French cylindre, from Latin cylindrus, from Greek kylindros, from kylindein to roll; perhaps akin to Greek kyklos wheel -- more at WHEEL
Date: 1570
1 a : the surface traced by a straight line moving parallel to a fixed straight line and intersecting a fixed planar closed curve b : the space bounded by a cylinder and two parallel planes cutting all its elements -- see VOLUME table
2 : a cylindrical body or space: as a : the turning chambered breech of a revolver b (1) : the piston chamber in an engine (2) : a chamber in a pump from which the piston expels the fluid c : any of various rotating members in a press (as a printing press); especially : one that impresses paper on an inked form d : a cylindrical clay object inscribed with cuneiform inscriptions
- cyl·in·dered /-d&rd/ adjective
So what is real life? A bunch of ignorant divers with their own ebonics?
Bill