Note to science (or speculative) fiction writers

[edg]

You almost certainly do not want the phrase inertial dampener. An inertial dampener makes inertia damp; I suppose this could be your intent, but I suspect that it is not.

The phrase you want is inertial damper. To damp is to hold down, to suppress; an inertial damper suppresses inertia, so that your characters don't turn into chunky salsa when they turn on the hyperdrive.

Just FYI.

Apparently there are some dictionaries which disagree with me. Very well; I concede the point.

Comments

[cpip.livejournal.com]

Mmmmm. Chunky Salsa!