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  #1  
Old January 11th 05, 08:56 AM
Roger
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On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 05:54:07 -0500, Cub Driver
wrote:


Likely, but not correct. Tidal Waves are large waves caused by normal
tides.


Tidal wave: "an exceptionally large ocean wave, esp one caused by an
underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption ... cf tsunami:" -- Shorter
Oxford English Dictionary.

Tsunami is of fairly recent vintage in the English language (late 19th
century). It means "harbor wave" in Japanese, so in truth is no more
accurate than the English term. I suspect it got into common use as a


But it is accurate. The Tsunami, or Tidal Wave if you prefer, is
almost invisible out in open water. It only manifests its nasty side
and size when it reaches relatively shallow water.

In open water you most likely would never have known the thing even
went by even at 500 MPH.

result of scientists' fondness for foreign words and phrases.

A large wave caused by a normal tide is a "bore" in this part of the
world. Dunno about elsewhere.


I've always thought they were exciting rather than a bore. :-))

Incidentally, I believe there are the indications of some tremendous
waves having hit the northern parts of Australia. They would be what
are referred to as Super Tsunamis with heights of several hundred
meters. I don't believe any were in recorded history though.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com


-- all the best, Dan Ford

email (put Cubdriver in subject line)

Warbird's Forum:
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Piper Cub Forum: www.pipercubforum.com
the blog: www.danford.net


  #3  
Old January 9th 05, 06:58 AM
Roger
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On 8 Jan 2005 14:04:47 -0800, "jim rosinski"
wrote:

Cub Driver wrote:

If true, it reinforces my belief that renaming tidal waves as

tsunamis
was a really really stupid thing to do. We all knew what a tidal wave
was! And I bet the secretary of the prime minister of Sri Lanka knew
also.


Actually, I believe tsunami is one of those weird hemisphere-dependent


Although Japanese in origin it is an old and almost universally used
term.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com
words that depends on where the event occurs. Just like "typhoon" in
east Asia and "hurricane" in North America. So I don't think it's a
renaming. If one of those things hits California it'll probably still
be called a "tidal wave".

Jim Rosinski


  #4  
Old January 9th 05, 06:29 PM
jim rosinski
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Roger wrote:

Actually, I believe tsunami is one of those weird

hemisphere-dependent

Although Japanese in origin it is an old and almost universally used
term.


That isn't what I meant. Yes the term tsunami is "universally used". My
point was that whether an event is called a "tsunami" or a "tidal wave"
may depend on where the event occured.

Jim Rosinski

  #5  
Old January 9th 05, 09:56 PM
C J Campbell
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"jim rosinski" wrote in message
oups.com...
Roger wrote:

Actually, I believe tsunami is one of those weird

hemisphere-dependent

Although Japanese in origin it is an old and almost universally used
term.


That isn't what I meant. Yes the term tsunami is "universally used". My
point was that whether an event is called a "tsunami" or a "tidal wave"
may depend on where the event occured.


No. It depends on when you were born. If you were born before 1960, you
probably call it a tidal wave.


  #6  
Old January 10th 05, 01:05 AM
jim rosinski
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C J Campbell wrote:

That isn't what I meant. Yes the term tsunami is "universally

used". My
point was that whether an event is called a "tsunami" or a "tidal

wave"
may depend on where the event occured.


No. It depends on when you were born. If you were born before 1960,

you
probably call it a tidal wave.


Interesting. Searches of online dictionaries don't yield evidence to
support my geographical origin-based theory. So I'm inclined to be
persuaded by your explanation. Thnx, CJ.

Jim Rosinski

  #7  
Old January 10th 05, 04:08 AM
C J Campbell
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"jim rosinski" wrote in message
oups.com...
C J Campbell wrote:

That isn't what I meant. Yes the term tsunami is "universally

used". My
point was that whether an event is called a "tsunami" or a "tidal

wave"
may depend on where the event occured.


No. It depends on when you were born. If you were born before 1960,

you
probably call it a tidal wave.


Interesting. Searches of online dictionaries don't yield evidence to
support my geographical origin-based theory. So I'm inclined to be
persuaded by your explanation. Thnx, CJ.


Kids used to 'learn' a lot from comic books. Dick Tracy fought a tidal wave;
Buz Sawyer (IIRC) a tsunami. No doubt Superman has seen both.


  #8  
Old January 10th 05, 10:46 AM
Cub Driver
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On 8 Jan 2005 14:04:47 -0800, "jim rosinski"
wrote:

If one of those things hits California it'll probably still
be called a "tidal wave".


Not any longer! The Media have discovered the word, and the Media has
learned to love it. They roll it over their tongues like a fine wine.

The print types have probably already programmed their spell checkers
to change sue nammy to tsunami.


-- all the best, Dan Ford

email (put Cubdriver in subject line)

Warbird's Forum:
www.warbirdforum.com
Piper Cub Forum: www.pipercubforum.com
the blog: www.danford.net
 




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