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Subject:RE: Most annoying word From:"Darges, Katherine" <katherine -dot- darges -at- defensegp -dot- com> To:"Jason A. Czekalski" <topsidefarm -at- mva -dot- net>, <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Wed, 1 Mar 2006 11:10:33 -0500
Ah! Thanks! I love to get the origin with the word/phrase.
Those of us who work for the government "ramp up" all the time, but
rarely do we "wind down", "ramp down", or anything similar. I picture
Evil Knievel "ramping up" to leap across something -- and being just
about as likely to crash as land safely.
Katherine Darges
Sr. Management Analyst
National Security Programs Group
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+katherine -dot- darges=defensegp -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+katherine -dot- darges=defensegp -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- c
om] On Behalf Of Jason A. Czekalski
Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 10:32 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: Most annoying word
>>
Ramp up.
What is its opposite?
Katherine Darges
Sr. Management Analyst
National Security Programs Group
The opposite is Ramp Down, and they are both valid phrases if you work
in a foundry or heat treat shop. They refer to the processes of running
a crucible or oven up and down from its operating temperature.
Both of these processes have to be done in a slow, steady, controlled
manner, or things get damaged. The terms are also used in industries
like plastics and ceramics, and they use them the same way.
What annoys me is to hear the term Ramp Up used by management types to
denote the starting of a new project, especially since such startups are
seldom slow, steady, or controlled.
My personal pet peeve is leverage. One of these days I'm going to get a
4-foot piece of 2x4 and give somebody a physics lesson.
Jason A. Czekalski
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