Comments on: Experts are merely “drips under pressure” ? http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2008/03/23/experts-are-merely-drips-under-pressure/ Chief Morale Officer Kirk Weisler's Thought 4 the Day Thu, 17 May 2012 22:08:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: andy http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2008/03/23/experts-are-merely-drips-under-pressure/#comment-2767 andy Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:38:02 +0000 http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2008/03/23/experts-are-merely-drips-under-pressure/#comment-2767 Drew, the 19th century dates back to 1801. There was language then that is different now. The word “expert” meaning back then might match that of today, but it is not the origin of the word. Which is the subject of the article. We also leave out the “s” when we tack on a prefix like “ex” when we can achieve the same sound without it. Otherwise the “s” would be silent. Just another example of words in common use getting used improperly, but as long as we all agree to use it in that context we’ll avoid confusion. We need "drips under pressure" like you to make everyday life possible. Drew, the 19th century dates back to 1801. There was language then that is different now. The word “expert” meaning back then might match that of today, but it is not the origin of the word. Which is the subject of the article. We also leave out the “s” when we tack on a prefix like “ex” when we can achieve the same sound without it. Otherwise the “s” would be silent. Just another example of words in common use getting used improperly, but as long as we all agree to use it in that context we’ll avoid confusion. We need “drips under pressure” like you to make everyday life possible.

]]> By: drew terry http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2008/03/23/experts-are-merely-drips-under-pressure/#comment-1467 drew terry Wed, 26 Mar 2008 06:24:32 +0000 http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2008/03/23/experts-are-merely-drips-under-pressure/#comment-1467 <i>Where is the "s" in "expert?"</i> I cheerfully disagree with your prejudice of the word. I am a certified Jack of All Trades, Master of None, and I personally vouch for the value of experience as the only reason to pay for the services of someone who knows what they are doing, because they have done it so many times in the past. <blockquote><b>expert, n.</b> a person who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area. <i>adjective</i> having or involving such knowledge or skill. <i>ORIGIN Middle English (as an adjective):</i> from French, from Latin <b>expertus</b>, past participle of <b>experiri ‘try.’</b> The noun use dates from the early 19th century. Compare with <i>experience</i> and <i>experiment</i>.</blockquote> My uncle once said to me, <i>"Experience is the accumulation of mistakes that cost money. Repeated mistakes cost more and more money until the lesson is learned. The expert makes the mistake once; clients pay the expert and avoid the same mistake."</i> The services of a bona-fide expert are worth more than the cost of the mistakes avoided: • translator • accountant • attorney • electrician • exterminator • pilot • parachute packer. Otherwise, it is a ripoff. Where is the “s” in “expert?”

I cheerfully disagree with your prejudice of the word.

I am a certified Jack of All Trades, Master of None, and I personally vouch for the value of experience as the only reason to pay for the services of someone who knows what they are doing, because they have done it so many times in the past.

expert, n.
a person who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area.

adjective
having or involving such knowledge or skill.

ORIGIN Middle English (as an adjective): from French, from Latin expertus, past participle of experiri ‘try.’ The noun use dates from the early 19th century. Compare with experience and experiment.

My uncle once said to me, “Experience is the accumulation of mistakes that cost money. Repeated mistakes cost more and more money until the lesson is learned. The expert makes the mistake once; clients pay the expert and avoid the same mistake.”

The services of a bona-fide expert are worth more than the cost of the mistakes avoided:
• translator
• accountant
• attorney
• electrician
• exterminator
• pilot
• parachute packer.

Otherwise, it is a ripoff.

]]> By: Keith http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2008/03/23/experts-are-merely-drips-under-pressure/#comment-1441 Keith Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:01:15 +0000 http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2008/03/23/experts-are-merely-drips-under-pressure/#comment-1441 As I started to read this the first reflection I had was a recent story about an ‘expert’ plastic surgeon who some rather greedy, vain, and wealthy/famous people decided to trust as he would restore their youthfulness but instead injected a low grade silicone automobile lubricant into their face and caused major problems. Wow, there’s a learning experience for kids and adults, not only about who you consider an expert but more so on the stress we create regarding our looks. As I started to read this the first reflection I had was a recent story about an ‘expert’ plastic surgeon who some rather greedy, vain, and wealthy/famous people decided to trust as he would restore their youthfulness but instead injected a low grade silicone automobile lubricant into their face and caused major problems. Wow, there’s a learning experience for kids and adults, not only about who you consider an expert but more so on the stress we create regarding our looks.

]]> By: Terry Farmer http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2008/03/23/experts-are-merely-drips-under-pressure/#comment-1438 Terry Farmer Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:02:27 +0000 http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2008/03/23/experts-are-merely-drips-under-pressure/#comment-1438 I enjoyed your article and it brought back some fun time of the past. I worked with "Joe" at Eastman Kodak for many years back in the mid-eighties. He always said an expert is a "has been drip, under pressure" but he also had one more for a word you also used - "innuendo". Joe was of Italian descent and loved to let you know it. He had many funny half truths but one of his favorites was innuendo -- an Italian Suppository. I enjoyed your article and it brought back some fun time of the past. I worked with “Joe” at Eastman Kodak for many years back in the mid-eighties. He always said an expert is a “has been drip, under pressure” but he also had one more for a word you also used - “innuendo”. Joe was of Italian descent and loved to let you know it. He had many funny half truths but one of his favorites was innuendo — an Italian Suppository.

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