edg: (I just can't win)
[personal profile] 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.

Date: 2005-09-29 10:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cpip.livejournal.com
Mmmmm. Chunky Salsa!

Date: 2005-09-29 10:25 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ginny-t.livejournal.com
Hee hee. Douglas Adams or Grant Naylor could've had fun with the dampener. :-D

Date: 2005-09-29 11:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] drydem.livejournal.com
see, the problem is, dry inertia chafes. I personally prefer the inertial lubricator though.

Date: 2005-09-30 01:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icedrake.livejournal.com
Dampen (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=dampener):
1. To make damp
2. To deaden, restrain or depress [...]
3. To soundproof

Date: 2005-09-30 03:40 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ceramufary.livejournal.com
I think you're right, and that's it "to damp" vs. "to dampen". But, I can't argue with the great minds of the Dictionary Writers, who nail down reality as they go to and fro saying this is the name of this, and that is the name of that. Hail their mighty calcifying power.

December 2015

S M T W T F S
  12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
27 28293031  

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Jul. 9th, 2025 05:35 pm
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios