Machine

Use this forum to suggest Good Words for Professor Beard.
Perry Lassiter
Great Grand Panjandrum
Posts: 3333
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:41 pm
Location: RUSTON, LA
Contact:

Machine

Postby Perry Lassiter » Tue Aug 16, 2011 10:38 am

I heard computers called "machines" on NPR yesterday, and as always, I was taken aback. The online dictionary gives this definition: any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks. "Or electrical device"- doesn't fit in my emotional understanding of machines. Even the online etymological dictionary agrees with me that a machine involves moving parts. I can see how a printer might be a machine, but not the computer that feeds it, and even less the tablets and cells. Anyone else have this problem?
pl

User avatar
Slava
Great Grand Panjandrum
Posts: 8039
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:31 am
Location: Finger Lakes, NY

Postby Slava » Sat Aug 27, 2011 6:46 pm

I can see your problem, but I do not share it. I accept the usage as a natural extension of the meaning. Originally, machines did physical work. Now computers do theoretical work. They are still and all a complex set of interactive parts designed to complete certain tasks.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.


Return to “Good Word Suggestions”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Semrush [Bot] and 2 guests