Ken Brick wrote:
 
. . . this one may be a language difference between Australian and USA usage, 
but I think most cars still
have cranks but not crank handles.
 
I will keep this Australian usage in mind.  The OED talks about crankshafts 
that turn and cranks that turn them, and I am of course happy to stipulate that 
cars powered by internal combustion engines [still]have crankshafts


John Gilmore Ashland, MA 01721-1817 USA


 

> Date: Sun, 19 Dec 2010 07:55:49 +1100
> From: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: prize for a good replacement for "baseless"
> To: [email protected]
> 
> On 19/12/2010 05:32 AM, john gilmore wrote:
> > In the future "baseless", always an ugly term embodying a dubious pun, will 
> > need explanation. It will be as helpful as a description of a modern 
> > automobile as "crankless".
> >
> Seldom does one find John in error, and this one may be a language
> difference between Australian and USA usage, but I think most cars still
> have cranks but not crank handles.
> 
> Ken
                                          

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