Editing 1010: Etymology-Man
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| title = Etymology-Man | | title = Etymology-Man | ||
| image = etymology_man.png | | image = etymology_man.png | ||
+ | | imagesize = | ||
| titletext = I can't believe I'm saying this, but I wish Aquaman were here instead--HE'D be able to help. | | titletext = I can't believe I'm saying this, but I wish Aquaman were here instead--HE'D be able to help. | ||
}} | }} | ||
==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | This | + | This comic is a take on the traditional appearance of a super hero when a disaster strikes. In this case, Etymology-Man arrives, who apparently has the power of {{w|Etymology}} - the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time. As Etymology-Man is explaining the history of the words "{{w|tsunami}}" and "tidal wave", the water starts rising around them. As the waters continue to rise, he only continues explaining the words in an attempt to save them as a superhero should. |
− | + | Also, the title text is a play on how useless {{w|Aquaman}} is compared to other superheroes, as his only powers are breathing underwater, speed swimming, and communicating with sea life. | |
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− | Also, the title text is a play on how useless {{w|Aquaman}} is | ||
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==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
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:Cueball: Earthquake! | :Cueball: Earthquake! | ||
:Ponytail: We should get to a higher ground - There could be a tidal wave. | :Ponytail: We should get to a higher ground - There could be a tidal wave. | ||
− | :[ | + | :[Cueball takes a pedantic pose] |
:Cueball: You mean a tsunami. "Tidal wave" means a wave caused by tides. | :Cueball: You mean a tsunami. "Tidal wave" means a wave caused by tides. | ||
− | :[A crash is heard, followed by Etymology-Man flying in while wearing a cape | + | :[A crash is heard, followed by Etymology-Man flying in while wearing a cape] |
:Etymology-man: You know, that doesn't add up. | :Etymology-man: You know, that doesn't add up. | ||
:Cueball and Ponytail: Etymology-man! | :Cueball and Ponytail: Etymology-man! | ||
− | :[Etymology-man takes a pedantic pose | + | :[Etymology-man takes a pedantic pose] |
:Etymology-man: What ''does'' "tidal wave" mean? There are waves caused by tides, but they're "tidal bores", and they're not cataclysmic. | :Etymology-man: What ''does'' "tidal wave" mean? There are waves caused by tides, but they're "tidal bores", and they're not cataclysmic. | ||
:It can refer to the daily tide cycle, but that's obviously not what people mean when they say "a tidal wave hit". | :It can refer to the daily tide cycle, but that's obviously not what people mean when they say "a tidal wave hit". | ||
:It's been obvious for centuries that these waves come from quakes. So why "tidal"? | :It's been obvious for centuries that these waves come from quakes. So why "tidal"? | ||
− | + | :Etymology-man: Remember that until 2004, there weren't any clear photos or videos of tsunamis. Some modern writers even described them rearing up and breaking like surfing waves. | |
− | :Etymology-man: Remember that until 2004, there weren't any clear photos or videos of tsunamis. Some modern writers even described them rearing up and breaking like surfing waves | ||
:Of course, in 2004 and 2011, it was made clear to everyone that a tsunami is more like a rapid, turbulent, inrushing tide - exactly what historical accounts describe. | :Of course, in 2004 and 2011, it was made clear to everyone that a tsunami is more like a rapid, turbulent, inrushing tide - exactly what historical accounts describe. | ||
− | :[Water begins to rush in. Etymology-man keeps his pedantic pose | + | :[Water begins to rush in. Etymology-man keeps his pedantic pose] |
:Etymology-man: Maybe those writing about Lisbon in 1755 used "tidal wave" not out of scientific confusion, but because it described the wave's form — a description lost in our rush to expunge "tidal wave" from English. | :Etymology-man: Maybe those writing about Lisbon in 1755 used "tidal wave" not out of scientific confusion, but because it described the wave's form — a description lost in our rush to expunge "tidal wave" from English. | ||
− | :[The water is now waist-deep. Etymology-man continues to drone on, but the others start to panic | + | :[The water is now waist-deep. Etymology-man continues to drone on, but the others start to panic] |
:Etymology-man: "Tsunami" is now the standard, and I'm not trying to change that. But let's be a tad less giddy about correcting "tidal wave" - especially when "tsunami" just means "harbor wave", which is hardly... | :Etymology-man: "Tsunami" is now the standard, and I'm not trying to change that. But let's be a tad less giddy about correcting "tidal wave" - especially when "tsunami" just means "harbor wave", which is hardly... | ||
{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
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[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | ||
[[Category:Language]] | [[Category:Language]] | ||
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