opening up a ground of worms......pun intended!

[8mygritz]

why do people refer to their m/d's as "machines"?mine doesn't have any real moving parts other than the digits,buttons,slide tube.is this a term of endearment or were there actually gas,steam or other,powered m/d's at one time?look up the definition of "machine" in the dictionary!

 

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[1320]

An apparatus consisting of interrelated parts with separate functions, used in the performance of some kind of work.........

 

[SusanMN]

Obviously a conspiracy by all detectorists to defy definitions and destroy the English language . At least we are not all running around calling them our juicing machines.

 

[Terry Soloman]

Aww, it's the same thing I call "Little Willie," my "Instrument."

 

[Anduril]

I think the term "machine" just sounds better than "gadget".

Or maybe not?
Anyway, if spare time were in unlimited supply, I might make a steam-punk metal detector out of an Altoids tin.

On the plus side, at least folks here don't call their gear "kit", as is often done on photography forums (my other hobby).
Drives me crazy!!

 

[1320]

"Device" probably best describes a metal detector....a thing made for a particular purpose; an invention or contrivance, especially a mechanical or electrical one. Something just doesn't sound right when I say...."gonna take the device out today and........"

 

[8mygritz]

I'm not being a smartass & the question is a little tongue-in-cheek,but I've always wondered how that term came about.my dictionary says:"a device w/moving parts,for doing work",i guess one could consider a slide tube or a button as a moving part.I laugh to myself when when someone uses that term & I imagine a very loud weed-eater type device being used......would be very difficult to hear your signals,huh!

 

[Captain Caveman]

Dictionary.com says:

noun
1.
an apparatus consisting of interrelated parts with separate functions, used in the performance of some kind of work:
a sewing machine.
2.
a mechanical apparatus or contrivance; mechanism.
3.
Mechanics.
a device that transmits or modifies force or motion.
Also called simple machine. any of six or more elementary mechanisms, as the lever, wheel and axle, pulley, screw, wedge, and inclined plane.
Also called complex machine. a combination of simple machines.
4.
Older Use.
an automobile or airplane.
a typewriter.
5.
a bicycle or motorcycle.
6.
a vending machine:
a cigarette machine.
7.
any complex agency or operating system:
the machine of government.

Machine | Define Machine at Dictionary.com

I think metal detectors fall somewhere in there.

 

[TheHunterGT]

 

[bigfoot1]

because it sounds better than,"addictive behavouir enabler"or "spousal seperation unit"or"ground detrashing device","worm irritation instrument"I could go on for days

machine sounds pretty good.

 

[Baja]

.. and here I thought you were going to post that you found a can of worms...

 

[boogeyman]

Now you did it!!!!!!! There ya go givin him ideas.............

 

[Loco-Digger]

Don't sweat the small stuff. Mox Nix

 

[JOe L]

My wife gets mad when I call my iPad my machine.......

 

[boogeyman]

Not to mention you'd look like a fool running around the park dragging Betsy. If you hunt at night I could imagine the call to 911! "a mans dragging Betsy around the park chanting come on Betsy give me some silver!"

 

[huntsman53]

Well, it just sounds better than a "Ground Probing - Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metal Sensing Device"! However, "Tool" is a better name/definition as long as it is not used to identify a specific person or someone's other equipment.


Frank

 

[Rawhide]

Called my first detector "Pig". If you seen me or a few of us digging, you wold call us machines.