OT: Word Choice (was: Linux Printer from Win98 - Resolved)

[Bill McGonigle]

On Sep 15, 2005, at 15:14, Jim Kuzdrall wrote:

> Decimate is another word I hesitate to use by its
> dictionary definition.  It means a loss of 1 in 10 but is often used to
> suggest 9 in 10.

I suggest people use 'devastate' if they feel inclined to use 
'decimate' inappropriately.  I suspect a confusion there may have lead 
to inappropriate usage originally.

Some computer graphics algorithms do decimation, to slightly reduce the 
complexity of a data structure.  Sometimes you'll do a second pass if 
you need slightly more than the fist pass did.  There's not a fixed 10% 
aspect like there might have been in the Roman Army, but it does mean 
to reduce slightly.

The trouble with letting words get away is there often isn't a suitable 
replacement.

-Bill

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