[HPforGrownups] Re: Changes I would make.

[Margaret Dean]

No: HPFGUIDX 177659

Carol wrote:
> 
> <snip previous dispute over "spirals" vs. "helixes," which I'm sure
> everyone has read>
> 
> Margaret:
> > That's right.  Technically "steam" is water in gaseous form, and
> while it is in that form and at that temperature (over 100 degrees
> Celsius) it is invisible.  You can only see it once it cools down and
> condenses enough to be actually water vapor.
> >
> Carol responds:
> 
> But JKR is no more a scientist than she is a mathematician or a
> historian. The average person speaks of "clouds of steam" coming from
> a teakettle or steam engine as if steam were visible, and of "spirals"
> rather than "helixes" ("spiral staircases" having already been listed
> as a case in point). Hermione would have sounded pedantic if she had
> referred to "vapor rising in characteristic helixes." Or how about
> "helices," if we really want her to sound, erm, impressive and
> technically correct? 

I actually agree with you on both points, but I did have to
chuckle a bit at the cavil about Hermione sounding pedantic.  I
mean, I love Hermione, but who in all of canon is =more= likely
to be pedantic?  :)


--Margaret Dean, fellow pedant
  <margdean at erols.com>