On Sun, 29 Jan 2006 12:02:15 -0500, (Arch) wrote:

Eponyms have been around since antiquity, they abound today and for
better or worse are here to stay. Named diseases alone number in
thousands. The word has many meanings and relates to many subjects, but
I'm musing about the eponyms we use in woodturning as something titled
by a person's name.

As with our acronyms, the same eponyms often title several different
things and also different eponyms often title the same thing. Ex: "Liam
O'Neil Grind", "Ellsworth Grind" for an extended or swept back or side
ground gouge. "Oland Tool" for an inserted bit tool used not only for
hollowing but also for spindle and face turning. I suggest the eponym
"Feltmate cutting Tool" when inserted bits are used in addition to
hollowing. Maybe the eponym "Thovaldson Soak" would save us having to
repeat the "World Famous Treatise" that so well describes it.

Some of our craft's eponyms appear to confuse more than describe, others
save much tedious description. Some evoke arguments re authenticity or
originality of the 'eponymee' who more often than not published or
publicized a tool or technique that someone else originated long ago.

I reckon that as an eponym becomes universally agreed upon and used, it
becomes useful, almost necessary, to describe a grind, tool, technique,
attitude, philosophy etc. Until that happy day arrives, an eponym can
cause trouble.

What do you all think about our eponyms? Which ones are helpful. which
are not? Who cares? I doubt "McBurney's Point" will join the "Raffin
Cut" in our vernacular. Anyway, it's no "Hobson's Choice".

BTW, you might want to try the "Arch Grind" on your best skew; the edge
is blunt, nicked, ragged and blued. It lost its temper... and so will
you.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter



http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

====As usual, Arch, your reasoning is superb and flawless, but with
one exception. I cannot in good conscience lend my name for an eponym
pertaining to the LDD process. That well and truly belongs to Ron
Kent (praised by his name) and should be in this form: the Kent
Solution. After all, I am but His prophet and shill!!!*G*

Leif
Festina lente