Ruler or Scale
Ruler or Scale
(OP)
We have several metal sticks with marks for measuring laying around the office. I usually refer to such sticks as a ruler. My co-workers like to correct me with the "A ruler is a King or Queen, do you mean a scale?" chestnut. I tend think of a scale as an architects scale (ie not 1:1).
I don't think either is incorrect, but I am sick of hearing "A ruler is a King..." from my coworkers. The dictionary supports my case, but engineering tends to have a language of its own...
-b
I don't think either is incorrect, but I am sick of hearing "A ruler is a King..." from my coworkers. The dictionary supports my case, but engineering tends to have a language of its own...
-b





RE: Ruler or Scale
http
Use "measuring stick" next time.
RE: Ruler or Scale
How about rule, which is what the manufacturers call them:
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Cory
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RE: Ruler or Scale
Gunnar Englund
www.gke.org
RE: Ruler or Scale
Cheers
Greg Locock
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RE: Ruler or Scale
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
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RE: Ruler or Scale
RE: Ruler or Scale
Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)
RE: Ruler or Scale
RE: Ruler or Scale
RE: Ruler or Scale
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Ruler or Scale
RE: Ruler or Scale
The gym teacher used a plimsole on the butt.
The geography teacher (female) launched chalk.
The math teacher used the blackboard cleaner.
The history teacher sent us to the Headmaster ... who used the cane.
The english teacher (primary school, old, female, battleaxe) just had to give "the look", and that was usually enough to shrivel the receiver of said look, pretty damn quick.
Fun times.
RE: Ruler or Scale
RE: Ruler or Scale
Blackboard or chalkboard?
DB
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http:
RE: Ruler or Scale
Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)
RE: Ruler or Scale
RE: Ruler or Scale
I am new to the forum, read loads but this is my first post so be gentle on the grammar.
I usually call them rulers (as a rule!) but what I do is measure so maybe they should be called: -
Measure!
Measurer!
Oh its about 10.5 mm
Tim
RE: Ruler or Scale
RE: Ruler or Scale
I got grief if I called it a ruler. The accepted term by the grief giver was rule.
As for blackboard, I heard that these days for reasons of discrimination it had to be a Chalkboard, honestly I was told this I'm not making it up. As far as I know a Whiteboard is still a Whiteboard though.
RE: Ruler or Scale
RE: Ruler or Scale
I call it a ruler. Scales are those triangular thingies that show more than one scale - or a "ruler" that has markings on each edge, both faces with different scales.
RE: Ruler or Scale
A.
RE: Ruler or Scale
For me, I always referred to the 1 foot sticks made of wood or plastic with a crudely marked scale like used in grade school a 'ruler'.
Anything that is designed to measure with accuracy, I call a scale.
The metal sticks, I always called a machinists scale, the pocket sized ones anyway.
If I was bvanhiel, I would keep calling them rulers just to irritate the co-workers.
NozzleTwister
Houston, Texas
RE: Ruler or Scale
My two cents; if would think that a ruler is a straight edge stick that can be used to draw strainght line on paper, using as a guide to a pencil/pen. The notebooks with "lined" pages are called "ruled" notebooks or ruled pages. If the ruler has scales marked on it, it is a side advantage. A item with scale marks intended to be used primarily for measuring distance/length would be a scale, it may or may not be used as a ruler.
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my 2c ... a scale is used to measure, and a ruler is used to draw a straight line
RE: Ruler or Scale
RE: Ruler or Scale
Anything which has a rigid straight edge can be used to draw a straight line.
Can a scale (triangular or flat) not be used to draw straight lines?
If a rule(r) is just used to draw straight lines, why is it graduated in units of measure?
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3. a person or thing that draws.
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i don't think people would confuse a scale for measuring length with a scale for measuring weight, and (length) scales i've seen don't include units of weight measurement.
as for the other responses all i can say is "crikey"
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"i don't think people would confuse a scale for measuring length with a scale for measuring weight"
Neither do I, thats why I placed the
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cool
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If you wish to weigh up and set a hard and fast rule as to whether a rule or ruler is the correct term for a measuring devise then scales are probably your best option.
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rule has other meaings too..like drawing a line.
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It also depends on "whose" English.
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A ruler (measuring stick, rule, etc) measures length in actual space.
A scale allows one to measure distance in virtual space by applying a modification factor to actual space (a scale).
Me, I use CAD. :]
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Word rules must have the roots in 'ruling'.
See a excerpts for a wikipedia:
"A ruler or rule is an instrument used in geometry, technical drawing and engineering/building to measure distances and/or to rule straight lines. Strictly speaking, the ruler is the instrument used to rule lines and the calibrated instrument used for determining measurement is called a measure. However, common usage is that a ruler is calibrated so that it can measure.
"
Wikepedia is more authentic than some "bibles" or encyclopedias who tries to force their own interpretations on others, instead of just reflecting the evolution of language and words.
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"no one uses the word straightedge in common discussion. It may be a technically correct term to some, but it not the word non-technical or common people use."
I beg to differ... The term straightedge is introduced in early grade school in Oklahoma and Texas, USA and is in common use from then on. Maybe it doesn't pop up in a discussion of a movie review, but it does when discussing making charts, graphs related to math and science, art or other creative projects.
NozzleTwister
Houston, Texas
RE: Ruler or Scale
There you go.."introducing" term is same as "forcing" your definition on others. What about people in the world who did not go those Texas schools?
RE: Ruler or Scale
RE: Ruler or Scale
rbulsara, just about every term for anything was "introduced" at some point in your life. I guess my parents "forced" their definition of banana on me as a child, as well as "momma" and "poppa". Reminds me of the old Steve Martin joke about raising children by teaching them the wrong words for everything and then sending them off to kindergarten. Certainly there are regional differences (as well as languages, where they use different words for everything). When I moved to Massachusetts, all my Pennsylvanian hoagies turned into subs.
RE: Ruler or Scale
I didn't mean to get your shorts in a bunch, LOL.
And I'm not tyring to force my defintion on anybody. I was responding to your statement, "no one uses the word straightedge in common discussion."
That's just not true, a lot of people do, maybe just not in your region.
NozzleTwister
Houston, Texas
RE: Ruler or Scale
Straight-edge usually has no markings. Used on a fairly regular basis (both as a word and an insrument).
Rulers are generally wood/plastic and found in grade schools.
Rules are metal rulers with much finer resolution.
Scales are found in drafting classes.
I cannot "force" these definitions without the ability to impose some type of unpleasantries to those who choose to not see things my way.
RE: Ruler or Scale
straight·edge (str?t'?j')
n.
A rigid flat rectangular bar, as of wood or metal, with a straight edge for testing or drawing straight lines.
The very fact is that word straightedge exists as described above...you can keep denying it,,it does not change the fact.
Also taught in Michigan elementary schools.
RE: Ruler or Scale
RE: Ruler or Scale
Your comments does not affect me or to rest of the world who understands what a ruler is and they will continue to use it.
Stevenal:
Exactly my point, the word ruler probably older than when that dictonary came in print. You are one of those who beleives dictionaries are mother of languages and they define language.
The dictionaries are the just collection of words that people use and they "try' to define in what sense they are used. People's use of language decides what dictinary may say, not other way round. No if some ediotors (or idiots) manage to misjudge how people communicate, does not change the language.
RE: Ruler or Scale
To me and in English (English) if there is such a thing, a ruler is someone who rules over people. A rule is a device for measuring true size whatever it is made of. A scale is something to measure things but not in true size for example on a map or as used by a pattern maker where things shrink. A straight edge is some thing that is used to check things are flat and has no markings on it.
The only “misuse” I have heard is people calling a rule a ruler. I have never heard a rule called a scale or a straight edge, but that does not mean I am correct.
Just out of interest what would people call a steel tape rule or tape? That thing that roles up and is a thin band of metal for measuring longer distances?
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RE: Ruler or Scale
Embossed & printed are the words "WESTCOTT RULER" "MADE IN U.S.A NO.R501-12"
It's a ruler.
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ajack:
Tape is a tape measure. I only have used and heard the word 'tape measure' of that and so it is. A ruler could be a scale too if it has scale marking on it. It is not a misuse. Primary function of a ruler is to aid in ruling the lines.
A screwdriver does not become a can (lid) opener, just because it can be used to do so. Nor does that make all can openers a screwdriver.
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OK, I'll get back under my bridge now.
RE: Ruler or Scale
Please find above a fine selection of rules, not a ruler in sight. As I said in the previous post we can all defend what we use and it is probably correct to us and those around us, in English (English) a ruler IS someone who rules over people.
I may walk down the pavement wearing a pair of trousers, whilst you may walk on the sidewalk wearing a pair of pants, we are both doing the same thing, who is say which if either is correct?
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http://
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Cheers!
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RE: Ruler or Scale
Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)
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Ken ... that sketch Rules
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Thanks to rbulsara (image from Google search).
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it started out as a rather good thread about the different meanings the same word has, eg "A rule is a device for measuring true size whatever it is made of.", well a rule is also something like a law, and i guess it could also describe the reign of a monarch, and what is "true" in any case.
and now somehow we're discussing death, neat tho' the picture was.
oh death, were is thy sting ?
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If your colleague did not know a ruler, he would be a dummy why are you worried?. Plus why do you need a certificate from your collegue for your smartness?
:)
RE: Ruler or Scale
Ruler; what school boys use
Scale rule; what drafties use
Measuring tape; what I have in the pocket of my dacks while walking on the footpath.
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