cheap digital vernier calipers.

Non-sequiteurism, is that a word?

No batteries, no Vernier - maybe just the ideal present.

These are almost 40 years old and my #1goto before the micrometer leaves it's case.

Yes, same for me although a cheaper version. Its a pity that they don't have a way of making them read both imperial and metric though. It would need some sort of reduction gear in the dial which could be selected in or out I suppose.
BobH

A quick summary:

Caliper [or Calliper] describes a mechanical structure, and, in the current context that is something 'portable' with a pair of parallel jaws; one 'fixed' and one 'sliding'.

Vernier; Dial; Digital; Micrometer, Remote, etc. are all types of measuring and/or display system; any of which can be applied to the basic caliper.

... It only becomes difficult when colloquial usage distorts the meaning.

MichaelG.

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We keep straying from the original point ^^^

What does the young lady actually want ?

... is it the caliper, or the digital display that matters to her ?

... or [most likely] that it is "like daddies"

MichaelG.

You mean it resembles a group of fathers?

Or did you mean "daddy's"?

Pedants'R'Us

Neil ... That's why I very deliberately put the phrase within quotation marks.

I didn't think it would be appropriate to correct the original text.

[ You, as Editor and Moderator, obviously play by different rules.]

MichaelG.

And for the pendantics, a spulling test next?? and something about a Panda shooting leaves?

Regards Ian.

I hadn't realised it was a quote and wouldn't have prodded anyone else, but as our resident spotter of unintentional meanings in my postings, I consider you fair game

Neil

Depends how saucy you want to be.

Andrew

But who assigns meanings to words? The dictionary? Or the people speaking the language?

It can't be the dictionary because there are many languages that have no dictionary, both now and in the past, and yet all their words still have a meaning.

So if the users of the language assign the meaning "a pair of calipers with a digital readout" to the phrase "digital vernier", then that's the meaning and that's the phrase they use to invoke that meaning. The dictionary and the pedants can say what they like; it makes no difference to the language as she are spoke, and written.

Colloquial usage does not distort the meaning. Colloquial usage supplies the meaning.

Edited By Hopper on 20/11/2016 12:08:12

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Neil,

I fully accept that I am fair game, but: I'm unimpressed by your inability to recognise a quote.

[Any self-respecting pedant should thoroughly read what he/she is commenting upon.]

I first quoted the original post, and then put the phrase within quotation marks when re-using it.

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 20/11/2016 14:43:14

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If you say so, Hopper

Now ... carrying the burden of inexact language; do we have enough information to know what 'nauhtyboy' should buy for his daughter?

MichaelG.

You mean ignoring the fact that it isn't quite what I wrote (for - I thought - the obvious reason)? Probably not according to the OED but hey, in the "living language" school of thought any loose or inaccurate language, grammatical error, spelling error (and just about anything else) can be justified - right? ***

*** I don't mean "right-justified" (unless, of course, you want it to mean that).

Very true. Otherwise we'd still be saying `Ne mæg werig mod wyrde wiðstondan ne se hreo hyge helpe gefremman.`

I'm far too lazy and incompetent to be a good pedant - 'The weary spirit cannot withstand fate nor does a rough or sorrowful mind do any good.'

Cheers,

Dave

Sorry gentlemen, these seems to be more a game of one upmanship, rather than a discussion about a mere digital caliper, i will leave tou too it, i am a newcomer hete, dont think i will be stopping

You can pick up your sense of humor at the door on the way out.

I think Naughtyboy has been scared off but with only 24 delivery days left ( I have left out Saturday as I havn't seen a postie on the day for ages) he still needs to get the pressie in time to get the best dad award.

Amazon have cheap ones its just knowing if the company is UK based

i have got her a pair thank you.

i am not surprised people like me for who english is'nt their first language struggle when even those who are born into it struggle to agree.

Dennis i could give her a lump of coal and still get best dad award.

to listen to her i can walk water and raise the dead.

Edited By naughtyboy on 21/11/2016 07:46:26

That usually only works until they get to the teen years!