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[OM] [OT] Two questions about the English language

Subject: [OM] [OT] Two questions about the English language
From: "Olaf Greve" <o.greve@xxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2001 13:30:37 +0200
Hi guys,

Sorry for starting another OT thread, but between Hans, Erwin and me we had
some off-list discussion in which an interesting thing surfaced. If you feel
replying to this will clutter the list too much, feel free to send the
answers to my private e-mail address.

The case is that Erwin enocuntered some funny meanings of the word
"diaphragm". Much rather than its main meaning being indicated as a camera's
diaphragm (i.e. aperture), most dictionaries primarily mentioned the meaning
to be a contraceptive device.

Now, this has left us wondering a bit about how the word diaphragm is
generally perceived. I would assume that anyone who hears the terms
diaphragm in a camera context will realise that people are talking about the
aperture, but in general English how is this word most often used and is the
word diaphragm commonly used to indicate the aperture? A subsequent question
would be whether the usage of the word diaphragm in the descriptions on the
TOPE pages should be omitted as it may result a bit too funny, or not. Any
opinions?

Then, on a slightly related note there is another of these thingies we were
wondering a bit about, this time it deals with the usage of the term
"Repetitive Strain Injury" (RSI) vs. "Musculoskeletal Disorder". Which one
would be the more common term for indicating these disorders/injuries? Also,
we are under the impression that the former may be more commonly used in
American English, and perhaps the latter one in British English? Any ideas
here?

Thanks in advance!
Olafo


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