So...

[ksmith]

...if over the course of, say, 4 or 5 books, the term "steering mechanism" evolved into "steering mech" which in turn morphed into "steer mech", would you notice? Would you still understand the term? Would the change over time bother you?

Comments

[trolleypup.livejournal.com]

Probably not unless you told me about it so I could go looking for it, yes, and no.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Well yeah--the point of the exercise is to tie tin cans to its tail, paint it red, and send it squealing down the street.

But be that as it may...it's better I know now, because it will be steer mech in J5.

[fancythat2.livejournal.com]

"Steer Mech" = Castrated Gundam? Castrated bovine giant robot?

I'd crack up if I saw 'steer mech', really I would. See above silly brain pictures. :-)

[fancythat2.livejournal.com]

I could see "steering Mech" or steering assembly, steering, steering sys...

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I confess that I would never have related the term to bovines.

[fancythat2.livejournal.com]

Sorry. I used to watch Saturday afternoon westerns when I was a kid, hence the 'steer=castrated male bovine' association.

My vote would be to leave it as 'steering'.

[belasco.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't bother me. It's a logical progression. People have always shortened longer words/terms down and always will.

[daveamongus.livejournal.com]

If there were going to be a six, I'd expect it to end up "sterm" or something...

No, wouldn't bother me, and I doubt I'd notice at all.

Unless it was pointed out :)

Acronyms should get spelled out... tech writer history

[technomage.livejournal.com]

Okay, for those of us who are multiple readers of the series (I'm over 10 time through each), this is not going to be an issue. If we don't understand we'll muddle through. I'm not sure for someone who picks up J5 as their first experience in your corner of the multiverse.

How well does the context illuminate the usage? Could a novice intuit the general idea, if not the whole expansion? If so then I'd go with the mechanical neutered bovine. If not then I'd stick to steering mech.

Re: Acronyms should get spelled out... tech writer history

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Characters would be sitting in a skimmer. One of them would be driving, occasionally whacking the steer mech with the flat of their hand to make a point.

Much animated discussion whilst driving, in between the periods of stony silence.

Re: Acronyms should get spelled out... tech writer history

[technomage.livejournal.com]

I'm good with that...