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Binoculars - short names, abbreviations (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter NDhunter
- Start date
perterra
Well-known member
The-Wanderer
Well-known member
I do not understand why a binocular is referred to as a pair of binoculars, nor as binoculars referring to one binocular.
A bicycle is a bicycle. I have never heard of a pair of bicycles in a similar context.
A bicycle is a bicycle. I have never heard of a pair of bicycles in a similar context.
mfunnell
Registered Confuser
The-Wanderer
Well-known member
Binastro said "But then people talk about a pair of trousers"
In the 1600s the word was trouse!
Dont get me on to knickers ��
In the 1600s the word was trouse!
Dont get me on to knickers ��
edwincjones
Well-known member
dantheman
Bah humbug
That's a pants comparison.
Seen people use binocs on here. But bins for me (and most birders I'm pretty sure).
Isn't a 'pair of binoculars' a tautology?
'Bi' means two, so with binoculars (especially if pronounced 'bye-noculars') we already have 2 oculars. Calling them a 'pair of 2 oculars' is repetitive overkill isn't it?
But the English language is awash with weirdness. Take the phrase that we use in Britain: 'I couldn't care less'. Meaning the extent to which one cares about something couldn't be any less, it is a low as it can possibly get. In the USA the phrase is 'I could care less', which suggests that the extent to which one cares is not yet at rock bottom, but actually the meaning when using the phrase in the States is the same as in Britain.
Going back to Jerry's question I have only 'heard' binos and bins, although on Bird Forum, one can indeed bump into 'glass' being used in occasional posts. Mind you I have just remembered I have very occasionally heard someone say they 'glassed' a bird, so it can be used as a verb too.
Lee
'Bi' means two, so with binoculars (especially if pronounced 'bye-noculars') we already have 2 oculars. Calling them a 'pair of 2 oculars' is repetitive overkill isn't it?
But the English language is awash with weirdness. Take the phrase that we use in Britain: 'I couldn't care less'. Meaning the extent to which one cares about something couldn't be any less, it is a low as it can possibly get. In the USA the phrase is 'I could care less', which suggests that the extent to which one cares is not yet at rock bottom, but actually the meaning when using the phrase in the States is the same as in Britain.
Going back to Jerry's question I have only 'heard' binos and bins, although on Bird Forum, one can indeed bump into 'glass' being used in occasional posts. Mind you I have just remembered I have very occasionally heard someone say they 'glassed' a bird, so it can be used as a verb too.
Lee
A2GG
Beth
"Glassing" is a term I used to only see used on the hunting sites and forums when reading their bino reviews; examples such as "I was glassing the hills...", etc.
Then I started seeing "glassing" used by members here occasionally and I would always guess they were hunters or hunter/birders and I was right practically every time, as invariably they would mention hunting at some point in another post. Also, mentioning looking for a 10x or using a 10x as primary bino can be a giveaway (only sometimes, not always).
I don't think many birders use the term "glassing", but perhaps we are picking up and swapping terminology now that we are a mixed crowd here on BF. A while back I read an old user review of some bin on a hunting forum and one of the guys mentioned BF is a great place for optics talk and he said that the members/birders there call binoculars "bins" and he sort of thought that was interesting/amusing. "Bins" is a term I've always heard from birders. I think the terminology is now being shared more, as we engage more in discussion on forums.
I use the terms Bin and Bino (or Bins and Binos) mainly.
Then I started seeing "glassing" used by members here occasionally and I would always guess they were hunters or hunter/birders and I was right practically every time, as invariably they would mention hunting at some point in another post. Also, mentioning looking for a 10x or using a 10x as primary bino can be a giveaway (only sometimes, not always).
I don't think many birders use the term "glassing", but perhaps we are picking up and swapping terminology now that we are a mixed crowd here on BF. A while back I read an old user review of some bin on a hunting forum and one of the guys mentioned BF is a great place for optics talk and he said that the members/birders there call binoculars "bins" and he sort of thought that was interesting/amusing. "Bins" is a term I've always heard from birders. I think the terminology is now being shared more, as we engage more in discussion on forums.
I use the terms Bin and Bino (or Bins and Binos) mainly.
Chosun Juan
Given to Fly
'Breviatin' things is wot we do 'round 'ere ...... The shorter the better! :king:
Binoculars are commonly known as bino's, 'noculars, 'eyes' or bins. :t:
The term 'glassed' is not desirable at all and is probably used more in reference to idiot binge drinking teenagers assaulting either other idiot binge drinkers or completely innocent bystanders! with empty schooner glasses. :eek!:
Chosun :gh:
Binoculars are commonly known as bino's, 'noculars, 'eyes' or bins. :t:
The term 'glassed' is not desirable at all and is probably used more in reference to idiot binge drinking teenagers assaulting either other idiot binge drinkers or completely innocent bystanders! with empty schooner glasses. :eek!:
Chosun :gh:
dave598
Registered User
