Jeffrey, the meaning of the word “sewer” like many others in our language, depends on the pronunciation. (lead or lead, for example; I’m sure we can all think of others). Yes, "seamstress:, like “stewardess” or “actress” is definitely sexist. “Seamist” could be referring to a fog on the ocean. “Seamsmith” is a possibility, I suppose. But not all sewing has to do with a seam. “Sewer” is, I propose, the simplest term. And I like simple. No need for obfuscation.
David Axt –
You certainly dodged a bullet on that Katerra thing! I, too, was approached, and I did apply. And heard nothing. Not even a “thank you for your interest.” The person who contacted me disappeared. And all this was before they could’ve started circling the drain.
Thank goodness that job didn’t pan out!! Whew!
I had to re-read Lynn’s term ‘sewer’ but it did sink into my thick skull after a moment. Of course, a sewer of garments is a different thing than a sower of seeds.
I took a philosophy course in college. On the first day of class, immediately after the professor introduced himself, he dryly stated “Jargon is the most deadly of the inert gasses.” He was so right.
Loretta,
We are getting a bit off topic here.
I found it so puzzling that the person I was talking to could not explain what Katerra did or what I would do for them. The interviewer either A) did not know what Katerra did or B) did not want to reveal their secret sauce for fear someone was going to copy it and beat them at their own game.
I had to repeat back what I thought I heard the interviewer say. Then ask him for a confirmation. As best I could tell I would write specifications for products that would then be manufacturered in offshore. Supposedly that was cheaper than just buying the premade item off the shelf.
Like Theranos, I think Katerra had lofty dreams of revolutionizing the construction industry but did not know how they would set about actually doing it.
OK Guys and Gals,
As a person who sews alot, may I straighten out that term at least. The proper word to use is “sewist”
at least according to various sewing guilds of which I am acquainted.
I’ve never heard that word! Thanks! (Although I have to admit that what first came to mind is “sew”, “sewer”, “sewist” - grim)
I don’t know if those are really jargon. I think jargon are occupational terms of art that outsiders wouldn’t know. Of course, there are many of those in architecture and design. This list just seems to me to be idiomatic expressions, some of which are centuries old. Plus, most are so common that any native English speaker would know them. In that case, they aren’t really jargon. Idioms come and go, and we may bristle when we don’t understand the newest ones. But, isn’t that the way language is?
John, that is the way language has to be or it dies. It’s not always with jargon and slang, either; it’s with imported words, newly coined words in response to new technology (for instance), and sometimes words that are mixed up - and just mixed. The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore. We don’t just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary. (James D. Nicoll)
I’m with John Bunzick on this, for idioms vs jargon. Robert Campbell FAIA, a Pulitzer Prize winner and former architecture critic for the Boston Globe, created the phrase archispeak to describe the self-important, indecipherable jargon used in writings of architecture theory and schools of architecture. He wrote a wonderful essay about this, where he punctures the pretentiousness of archispeak. I dont have it at hand, but if anyone wants a copy send me your address and Ill scan it and email you a pdf copy.
Dave. Which reminds me of “curator speak.” Those who go to a lot of art museums, like me, will notice that some of the wall labels next to works are nearly indecipherable. I’ve been looking at art since my parents took me to museums in NYC as a child; I’m pretty well versed without formal art education. Who are those labels talking too if I can’t readily understand them? I should note that only some museums do this, and the trend is towards improvement.