Re: Bell cap how to

[Matt Lukes]

Bell cap seems pretty good to me.

See the helmet with the nick name Bicycle bell helmet?
I suppose you could call it the big mushroom washer helmet, but dosn't have the same ring to it.
The need to coin a term seems to be a human trait, and as we will never know what the Romans called them, why not go with what the guy who actually brought it to our attention call's it!
That is my only point here, and possibly all I have to say on the matter! Now I'm away to cherche la chiene and kick it!

hock: But Byron, that's exactly what I just pointed out is a serious academic mistake- the source is irrelevant, only the facts matter. By your logic I could be the first to bring attention to a rivet with a nipple in the centre call it a 'monkey ass' washer and everyone should accept it should be the title LOL Did you know there was a term 'bell cap' referring to anything else?

The criticism and discussion are not of those using the term, it's simply about the term itself. So appeals to source are misplaced, nor is any criticism of those using the term even implied, so they need no defense. This form of washer is not a bell nor is it a cap- how then calling it both seem pretty good? I don't get it. Especially since this form of washer has been in modern use for a long time and has a name- doesn't that make rather more sense to use if the actual name is unknown?

And really since the piece I posted does fit perfectly with the real definition and the implied structure of a bell cap, that should seal the matter since you can't have two very different things with the same name and have any semblance of clarity... no?