Proper Spelling of Terms
Proper Spelling of Terms
(OP)
Colleagues:
mmmmmm. Have a question as I am involved with the putting together of a specification for a starter dam. Specifications should encourage the consistent use of terms.
Do you use earth fill in an earth fill dam? or earth fill in an earthfill dam? or earthfill in an earthfill dam?
Do you use rock fill in a rock fill dam? or rock fill in a rockfill dam? or rockfill in a rockfill dam?
Or is it most proper to use earth-fill (rock-fill)?
mmmmmm. Have a question as I am involved with the putting together of a specification for a starter dam. Specifications should encourage the consistent use of terms.
Do you use earth fill in an earth fill dam? or earth fill in an earthfill dam? or earthfill in an earthfill dam?
Do you use rock fill in a rock fill dam? or rock fill in a rockfill dam? or rockfill in a rockfill dam?
Or is it most proper to use earth-fill (rock-fill)?





RE: Proper Spelling of Terms
Earth fill in an earth-fill dam (or rock fill in a rock-fill dam).
Note that in the first instance of "earth fill" the word "earth" is an adjuctive to the word "fill". In the second instance, the term "earth-fill" is a compound adjuctive to the word "dam". You use the hyphen for compound adjuctives when your intent is to convey that it's neither an "earth" dam, or a "fill" dam, but an "earth-fill" dam.
Now that I've complicated your initial post, I really don't know what I'd do if I was publishing. I'd likely just make it one word (i.e., earthfill or rockfill).
Hope this helps (well, a little. . . . )
f-d
¡papá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!
RE: Proper Spelling of Terms
I tend to use 'earthfill' as an adjective (e.g., earthfill dam), and 'earth fill' where it's a noun ("the earth fill shall be placed in lifts not to exceed 30 cm..."). I'm not sure that there is a "correct" Noah Webster-approved way.
RE: Proper Spelling of Terms
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RE: Proper Spelling of Terms
RE: Proper Spelling of Terms
Do you suppose the poor guys doing the work really give a rat's hind end? They probably call it dirt.
Regardless of the wording, I'll bet no one will notice it either way.
BigH you have more critical things to worry about that this.
RE: Proper Spelling of Terms
RE: Proper Spelling of Terms
RE: Proper Spelling of Terms
You are right. As engineers we tend to be too serious.
You heard the one about the two engineer students that met on the quadrangle one day. Of course at Cornell.
One says to the other "Where did you get that new bike?"
Other says: "Met this coed behind Lincoln Hall riding a new bike and she says "Take what ever you please", as she strips.
Other says:"So I took the bike".
One says: "Good choice. Clothes probably didn't fit anyhow"
RE: Proper Spelling of Terms
One other reason for proper spelling is in specifications/tender docs, I like to see things consistent.