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When sailors refer to a rope as a line, are they also signaling that they're part of a monoculture? Or do they just need more specific terms than regular Englis
by tlb 9y ago
When sailors refer to a rope as a line, are they also signaling that they're part of a monoculture? Or do they just need more specific terms than regular English (there are several words for various kinds of ropes: sheet, hawser, painter, ...).
It seems natural for professions to develop some specialized language. It's obviously a liability to not understand it, because you won't know what people mean. But it's not much of a liability not to use it if there is an equally precise non-jargon term.
- jstewartmobile 9y agoIt's probably more about signaling subordination in a dominance hierarchy than practicality. Last time I worked in a software company was 13 years ago, and I still remember what the OP is writing about. It was absolutely cringe-worthy!