Talk:Setting circles

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Why is the plural used in this article's title? (I've created a redirect page with the singular counterpart. Maybe the "move" button should be used to interchange the two roles?) Michael Hardy 20:45, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

Setting circles come in pairs and as far as I know they have always referred to in plural - and there are exceptions to Wikipedia:Naming conventions (plurals) re: "Binoculars, Scissors, Trousers, Fireworks".
  • A google search brings up 25,700 instances for "setting circle" [1] (and they seem to be references to one of them re:"I am looking for a 6" R. A. setting circle")
  • A google search brings up 106,000 instances for "setting circles" [2] with usage such as "Build Your Own Digital Setting Circles... It's worth noting that digital setting circles do not move your telescope..."
  • according to Answers.com the "McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms" has them listed as:
setting circle (′sed·iŋ ′sər·kəl)
(engineering) A coordinate scale on an optical pointing instrument, such as a telescope or surveyor's transit.
So it looks kind of 50-50 to my totaly non english major mind ;^). Could go either way. A little further research for evidence or Wikipedia WP:STYLE may help here. Halfblue 19:21, 17 January 2007 (UTC)