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I wondered why the idiots on radio and TV news keep referring to the projectiles fired by mortars as mortars. Turn out, they're being told to.
from the BBC "alphabetical checklist" (in essence, a style sheet)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/radio_newsroom/1099593.stm
"Mortar
binds bricks, fires projectiles. Confusingly, the projectile is also a mortar."
Of course, this is total bollocks. Mortars fire mortar *shells* or, in older/British usage, mortar *bombs*. They do not fire mortars, and unless using synecdoche, one should not refer to a the projectiles of mortars as mortars.
Oh, and you people still insisting on using "hone" when you mean "home", don't think I've forgotten about you. I have an axe, and I plan to use it!
from the BBC "alphabetical checklist" (in essence, a style sheet)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/radio_newsroom/1099593.stm
"Mortar
binds bricks, fires projectiles. Confusingly, the projectile is also a mortar."
Of course, this is total bollocks. Mortars fire mortar *shells* or, in older/British usage, mortar *bombs*. They do not fire mortars, and unless using synecdoche, one should not refer to a the projectiles of mortars as mortars.
Oh, and you people still insisting on using "hone" when you mean "home", don't think I've forgotten about you. I have an axe, and I plan to use it!
