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Topic: Fanny and all those other words  (Read 40106 times)

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Re: Fanny and all those other words
« Reply #30 on: January 07, 2004, 02:40:16 AM »
I am not getting into the arguement just adding a bit of trivia...

I found the definiation of a moving stairway..
Moving Stairway:
Definition:   [n]  a stairway whose steps move continuously on a circulating belt  
 
 Synonyms:   escalator, moving staircase
 
 See Also:   staircase, stairs, stairway, steps

Turns out that there was acutally a trademark case because the term "escalator" was a named coined for a "moving staircase".  The term was coined according to the Otis Elevator Companies website:

In 1895, Charles D. Seeberger coined the word Escalator (probably derived from the Latin word "scala" or ladder) for application to his moving stairway. Later on he sold his business, including the patents and the trademark Escalator, to Otis Elevator Company. The first moving stairway was set up in 1898 at Otis’ Yonkers Works in New York. When the unit was moved to France to be exhibited at the Paris Exhibition of 1900, it was labeled Escalator.

So I guess the right answer is that it was an American term.  Maybe some people that predated the term escalator still call them moving stairways or staircases.

Even the American Heritage Dictionary lists the etymology as a trademark.

So I am afraid that Nef is right in that it is an American term.  It might not be used often, but as large as the US is I am sure there are some areas of the nation that still use the older non trademarked term.


And we are a nice bunch...
« Last Edit: January 07, 2004, 02:49:17 AM by vnicepeeps »
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Being ignorant is not so much a shame as being unwilling to learn. -Benjamin Franklin

I have long since come to believe that people never mean half of what they say, and that it is best to disregard their talk and judge only their actions. -D.Day

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Re: Fanny and all those other words
« Reply #31 on: January 07, 2004, 03:23:24 AM »
Well, darn if you don't learn something new each day.   ;)
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Re: Fanny and all those other words
« Reply #32 on: January 07, 2004, 03:31:58 AM »
Serving on a jury has gotten to my brain....
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The wiring in our brain is not static, not irrevocably fixed.  Our brains are adaptable. -Mattieu Ricard

Being ignorant is not so much a shame as being unwilling to learn. -Benjamin Franklin

I have long since come to believe that people never mean half of what they say, and that it is best to disregard their talk and judge only their actions. -D.Day

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Re: Fanny and all those other words
« Reply #33 on: January 07, 2004, 03:37:54 AM »
Quote
Its easy to misconstrue what one says via the net.


That is so true.  It is sometimes difficult to portray oneself exactly as one intends.  Hang in there, Metric!   [smiley=daisy.gif]
« Last Edit: January 07, 2004, 04:38:13 AM by Beth »
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Re: Fanny and all those other words
« Reply #34 on: January 07, 2004, 04:10:26 AM »
Oh, Vnice, you wise, wise lady.  

It is very good of you to call us back to order.  Blessed are the peacemakers.  And bless Water, too, who cautioned us to stand back a bit.  Nef was in some difficulty as moderator of this particular board, since it was he who seemed (to me at least) to be the one under a kind of attack.  So in a sense you have been the one who moderated.

Ceamara was quite right to ask "Do we have to resort to name calling?"  I should not have been so immoderate as to call names.

I grew more and more intemperate with Metric as he seemed to be belittling the new friends I have made in this forum, whose conversations I have followed with interest and empathy.  When he seemed to be having a "go" at my good buddy Melissa (Missy), who was then as always being so reasonable, I blew my top.  I felt like an old (yes, I am 54!) sheepdog guarding his flock against a wolf!!!

Look, Vnice, Metric is new to this forum, but I recognize that his posts have been useful and supportive. Ceamara is a very important asset to all Americans living in this country and to all who would aspire to do so. You are right when you say we are a nice bunch, and I get increasingly proud to be part of the "we".

If Metric would care to take one pace towards me to shake my hand, then he will see that I will take two paces towards him to shake his hand warmly, and we can be friends.

How does that sound to you, dear Vnicepeeps?

Howard
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Re: Fanny and all those other words
« Reply #35 on: January 07, 2004, 05:14:51 AM »
Sounds fine to me Howard..though it needs to sound fine to others... ;) as I just was settling the main point of contention and say that Nef was right in attributing "moving staircase" to the Americans.

It's just like the copy/xerox issue in reality.

I also added the part about this site being nice as a response to Metric saying we were not...we are...


adding the end of my response to off topic area...so go there. :P
« Last Edit: January 07, 2004, 05:17:58 AM by vnicepeeps »
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The wiring in our brain is not static, not irrevocably fixed.  Our brains are adaptable. -Mattieu Ricard

Being ignorant is not so much a shame as being unwilling to learn. -Benjamin Franklin

I have long since come to believe that people never mean half of what they say, and that it is best to disregard their talk and judge only their actions. -D.Day

Re: Fanny and all those other words
« Reply #36 on: January 07, 2004, 09:35:37 PM »
I have to say that I'm the one he's heard use the term from which is why he said it was an American term.  And thanks to Vnice for doing the research!
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Re: Fanny and all those other words
« Reply #37 on: January 07, 2004, 10:15:15 PM »
Quote
I have to say that I'm the one he's heard use the term from which is why he said it was an American term.  And thanks to Vnice for doing the research!


See? I knew you were a weirdo. ;D First you don't have a TV, then no George Foreman grill and now you use phrases like moving stairway. :P

« Last Edit: January 07, 2004, 10:20:21 PM by meli_snell »
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Re: Fanny and all those other words
« Reply #38 on: January 07, 2004, 11:18:09 PM »
Quote


See? I knew you were a weirdo.  no George Foreman grill

those are fightin' words. . .

;D ;D
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Re: Fanny and all those other words
« Reply #39 on: January 07, 2004, 11:38:53 PM »
Elle's just wiser than her years.... though we might have to get her that Foreman grill....does great veggies too!
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The wiring in our brain is not static, not irrevocably fixed.  Our brains are adaptable. -Mattieu Ricard

Being ignorant is not so much a shame as being unwilling to learn. -Benjamin Franklin

I have long since come to believe that people never mean half of what they say, and that it is best to disregard their talk and judge only their actions. -D.Day

Re: Fanny and all those other words
« Reply #40 on: January 07, 2004, 11:52:22 PM »
Quote


See? I knew you were a weirdo. ;D First you don't have a TV, then no George Foreman grill and now you use phrases like moving stairway. :P



Well, I do try my best to provide....  ::)
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Re: Fanny and all those other words
« Reply #41 on: January 08, 2004, 03:52:07 AM »
Quote
those are fightin' words. . .


hehe :P

Quote
Elle's just wiser than her years.... though we might have to get her that Foreman grill....does great veggies too!


Actually I wish I could go back to no TV in my home. I didn't have one for about 5 years but got one and now we have 3 and are all hopelessly addicted. ::)

And yes I agree vnicepeeps..the grill does great veggies...yum. :P Feel the peer pressure elle? ;D You gotta buy a grill. ;) hehe



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Re: Fanny and all those other words
« Reply #42 on: January 08, 2004, 03:59:50 AM »
Okay I have to confess....my grill is gathering dust in my cupboard....I a) use the grill outside or b) use my frying pan with little grill marks.   ;D
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The wiring in our brain is not static, not irrevocably fixed.  Our brains are adaptable. -Mattieu Ricard

Being ignorant is not so much a shame as being unwilling to learn. -Benjamin Franklin

I have long since come to believe that people never mean half of what they say, and that it is best to disregard their talk and judge only their actions. -D.Day

Re: Fanny and all those other words
« Reply #43 on: January 08, 2004, 05:47:05 AM »


 "Okay I have to confess....my grill is gathering dust in my cupboard"

  Your not alone so is mine ;D ;D ;D
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Re: Fanny and all those other words
« Reply #44 on: January 08, 2004, 09:11:35 AM »
Quote


Feel the peer pressure elle? ;D You gotta uy a grill. ;) hehe


lol  NO :P
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