Maybe you know the story of the Tower of Babel. These old-timey peoples began building a tower to reach the heavens, but God deemed it an homage to man’s glory, not his. So he smote their society — which was united by a common language — by creating multiple languages and distancing the people.
I think those forces are still somewhat at work. Ever notice the members-only speak of certain professions? I’ve worked in the journalism field for more than 10 years and I know we’ve got some unique lingo and notations of our own.
“The paper’s been put to bed.” = “The paper’s gone to print.” “Adjust the kerning.” = “Take in the spacing between letters.” “SIC” = “Spelling is correct.”
And so it goes with other professions, as well. To me, a budding handyman(dy), it happens most frequently with construction specialists and home improvement gurus.
A PVC drain pipe from my bathroom sink recently became loose and pulled apart at two connection points. I went to a home improvement store, and before buying cement to bind the the fittings back together, I pulled aside a store clerk to ask if I was getting the right product for the job. What ensued was a 10-minute conversation rife with confusion.
Me: “I have a PVC pipe leading from my bathroom sink and it’s come loose at the ‘L.’ Is this stuff what I need to put it back together?”
Clerk: “The ‘L’? Do you mean the elbow? And is it in the cabinet?”
Me: “Yeah, yeah, the elbow. No, it’s in the basement.”
Clerk: “You can’t use that stuff on a supply line!”
Me: “No, no. It’s a drain line.”
Clerk: “You mean it’s a drain? Well, what kind of material is it?”
Me: “Plastic.”
Clerk: “You’re sure? It looks like that stuff over there? The PVC?” (pointing to PVC pipe)
Me: “Yes. It’s plastic. It’s more off-white than that, but yes, it’s that material.”
And on and on … I admit that I have modest knowledge of how to fix up stuff in my house. But, I’ve strived to educate myself both through my job and my own research. I don’t always get the terms correct (I’ve learned that “doohickey” or “thingmajig” aren’t very helpful descriptors) but I have an inkling of understanding of function. Talking to this clerk just reminded me I have a way to go before becoming a bona fide member of home improvement shop talk.
So I’ll keep reading our articles and just perusing the List. Then maybe I’ll become fluent in home-fix speak.
I don’t think just because someone works in a big-box home improvement store means that they have more knowledge than you – often I find they have considerably less (unless it’s just where to find stuff in their respective store).
And I thought SIC always meant ’said in context’ — hmph, I guess you learn something new everyday!
Upon further reading, sic is actually Latin for [so ,thus, in this way; like this, as follows; in that case, with this limitation]— guess you learn two new things every day.
What a picture!