On the naming of things... in PoE, or, The thesaurus can be dangerous

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Mark_GGG wrote:

Carnal is not explicitly sexual in meaning. It refers to any base physical drive, including, but not limited to, the sexual.
While it's probably most commonly used these days in the context of sexuality, that's not the entirety of the meaning of the word, and the other meanings are still just as valid, and are still used today, not just part of it's heritage.

And there's nothing (so far as I can see) that would put the word in a specifically sexual context in terms of describing the apes.

Indeed, carnal and carnage come from the same place. It could imply any sort of apelike animalistic urge.

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CharanJaydemyr wrote:

Cannula made me giggle too, but it's interesting at the very least. In-game, I'd be more concerned with what it does than what it's called. A rose by any other name still deals 1-12 lightning damage, if you will.

I don't see what's so wrong with cannula, given the game has to make names for all sorts of things that could be generally construed as, say, a quiver, and can't just use "quiver" all the time. Now, to be fair, I have not yet seen one of these cannulas in-game, so if it's simply a name for a normal quiver (such as "large cannula") I could see the issue, though I'm not sure it's a big one. But here I was assuming it was part of a rare name. If it's a rare item name, then it seems very appropriate as in fact "Fire Tube" could very well be the name of a quiver that adds fire damage.


... And Charan, you've just come up with the Quote of the Week there, and I may even use it in my signature, hehe. :)


"A rose by any other name still deals 1-12 lightning damage." :D

This thread is tragic.

Inverse relationship between vocabulary/reading comprehension skills and common courtesy noted. Thanks for the object lesson. =0[.]o=

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Raycheetah wrote:

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caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaps wrote:

.... Who says it's supposed to mean carnivore ape?

A little deductive reasoning, based on the other "ape" names reflecting cannibalism and the like, led me to this hypothesis. I welcome any alternative theories as to what meaning was intended by the use of "carnal" in this context.

1. That would be induction, not deduction.
2. Carnal: of the flesh. It could be brutish or libertine or... There's no reason to think it should mean 'carnivorous', nor any reason to think it's inappropriate in this context.

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Raycheetah wrote:

Seems some folks would rather accuse me of being a reactionary blue-nose than recognize my love of words and their correct use.
....
Inverse relationship between vocabulary/reading comprehension skills and common courtesy noted. Thanks for the object lesson. =0[.]o=

oh for crying out loud

You're not being persecuted. Some people disagree with you. I personally find these little insinuations that you're the final judge of what a word can or can't mean a bit silly but uh ok gosh

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caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaps wrote:

1. That would be induction, not deduction.

uhhh......

uhhh?

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AgentDave wrote:

He explained that.

The words that they chose have implications. The implication that is implied to me about the implications of his implied post is that those implications are sexual in nature.

Like a certain part of the anatomy whose name means "scabbard" or "sheath"?


Hmm, could have a "catheter" mod, with a built in chance of applying the puncturing skill.

As a silly example, if the series of enemies had been named "violating ape," "abusive ape," and "lusty ape," then "carnal" would be in context. As it is, it just doesn't make sense. [/quote]

If you are taking literal meanings, than Brazil and Rio must be holding giant vegetarian fesitvals each year since that's what Carnival is about - going without meat.

Carne = meat, AKA flesh. Carnal Knowledge is knowledge of the flesh - a euphemism, not a literalism. If you see Chile Con Carne on a menu, they aren't offering sexual activity with spicy beans, they are saying there is meat included. Likewise, if you see Carne Seca, it doesn't mean you need a personal lubricant, but that the meat has been dried before cooking. (El Charro cooks some awesome Carne Seca).

Language has a lot of flexibility and vagary. That's part of what makes it so strong and yet potentially frustrating at the same time.

As for thesaurus usage: naturally I discourage it with serious writers, who should learn how far they can push the words they already know (as Stephen King puts it, use what's in your toolbox first and foremost),

If you want a serious writer who knows how to use *every* tool* in the language tool box- give Jack Vance a whirl.

In addition to his amazing use of words, some of his characters are so developed they make Michelangelo's David look like a chainsaw carving.