Talk:Compass (drafting)

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This article incorporates content from the 1728 Cyclopaedia, a publication in the public domain.

[edit] Article title

Am I the only one who finds it hard to accept that this is a "compass". I've always called them "compasses" and I'm sure I always will be a complete fuckwit. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.195.204.144 (talk • contribs)

Its actually a 'pair of compasses' I was taught in school!--Light current 23:22, 19 September 2005 (UTC)

I agree, this is like calling the trousers article 'trouser'. Joffeloff 19:31, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Yes, agreed, can we have this article changed (busy - will have to come back to it if Light Current can't do it) so that the page title refers to Pair of Compasses? Other lazy titles can be referenced in the article. Kiwichipster 03:43, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Done. -- scwimbush 16:08, 20 May 2007 (UTC)

This move brought this whole discussion to my attention. I've never heard the phrase "pair of compasses". I've always heard this called a compass. What is the geographic provenance of those who call it a pair of compasses? Michael Hardy 22:35, 10 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] a.u.e. discussion

I've queried about the terminology on alt.usage.english. What I've found so far is this:

  • Various people in North America say they've always heard it called a compass and never a pair of compasses.
  • One person in India says in India it's called a compass and not a pair of compasses.
  • One person in Australia says in Australia it's called a compass and never a pair of compasses.
  • Several people in England say they learned in school in the '40s, '60s, or '70s to call it a compass, not a pair of compasses.
  • Several people in England say they've frequently heard both terms and usually call it a compass and think others in England do the same.
  • Several people in England say they learned in school to call it a pair of compasses and they've heard both terms.
  • Several people in England say they've always heard it called a pair of compasses and never a compass.

Michael Hardy 20:27, 11 June 2007 (UTC)

... and now both terms appear in the article with a note on geographic variations. Michael Hardy 02:06, 26 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Dividers

And aren't they also called "dividers"?

Yes, in sheet metal work they are called dividers.

Are you referring to "compass, also called a pair of compasses" or to the variant called scribe(compass)? If you are referring to the scribe(compass) I can add your section in to read "in sheet metal work they are called dividers"--Johnalden 01:28, 23 January 2007 (UTC).