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Subject:Re: Re[2]: Killer Language From:"John A. Lord" <jlord -at- LIVINGSTON -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 12 Nov 1996 13:17:48 -0800
At 12:12 PM 11/12/96 PST, Beryl wrote:
>>> (snip) Maybe someday someone will be able finally to get rid of
>>> "male" and "female" connectors and receptacles, although that one has
>been
>>> around for a long time and it won't be easy.
>>>
>male = plug
>female = socket
This substitution (like most of the alternatives) doesn't always work. I
remember a few years ago trying to describe a wall outlet that was a male RS
232 (OK! - EIA/TIA 232-E) serial connector - without using the word "male."
A cable with a female RS 232 serial connector "plugged" into the wall
outlet. Which was the plug and which was the socket?
Lesson to be learned - don't change terminology solely to be politically
correct. Changes should reflect actual useage rather than try to impose what
might be an ambiguous or less accurate substitution.
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