Date: Sat, 24 Jun 1995 09:00:25 -1000 From: Bob.Goghan@crystal.dircon.co.uk (Bob Goghan) Message-Id: <092_9506250620@crystal.dircon.co.uk> Organization: The Crystal Tower Subject: Bitter End !!! Cuts....... S>>|>"Splicing" kite lines usually refers to simply taking the bitter end back >>|>inside the hollow braid for 6-12" It can also refer to a fancier method of >>|>turning the line inside out on itself for half the splice, then right side >>|>out for the other half (sounds impossibly complicated, but isn't--much the >>|>same as splicing double braid on yachts...) S>>If you are going to just pull the bitter end back inside the line, a >>better method would be to pull it inside, then back outside, then >>inside again. This will help keep the loop from undoing itself over >>time. S>>In either case, it also helps to cut the bitter end at an angle, to >>sort of taper the end of the line. It turns out that if the line is >>cut at a right angle, there will be more stress at the cut and the >>line will be more likely to break there. Tapering the end reduces >>and/or eliminates the extress stress. S>>On the question of how to strengthen the lark's head, try this. Make >>short loop out of heavy Dacron or Spectra. Attach this loop to your >>spliced loop so that if forms a sort of square knot. Lark's head the >>heavy line to the kite. >>-- >>Marty Sasaki Harvard University Sasaki Kite Fabrication >>sasaki@noc.harvard.edu Network Services Division 90 Melrose Street >>617-496-4320 10 Ware Street Arlington, MA 02174 >> Cambridge, MA 02138-4002 phone/fax: 617-646-1925 Hello Ex-Colonial ( Marty ) While we are obviously very pleased that our language is extensively used in the ex-colonies, and it is well known here that you are enthusiastic in the interpretation of some words in the English Language. The term 'Bitter End' might well lead too less confusion if it were used in the correct context, it seems to be the latest 'buzz word'. We have placed an order for another shipment of Tea to be sent to the Port of Boston for you. -:) ROTFL. Bob in Hillingdon. * QMPro 1.53 * ...Those who live by the sword, kill those who don't. -- Bob.Goghan@crystal.dircon.co.uk +------------------------------------------------------------------+ | The Crystal Tower, Enfield, London 0181-447-8244 V21-V32bis,HST | | InterNet: crystal.dircon.co.uk FidoNet: 2:254/220 | +------------------------------------------------------------------+ = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 26 Jun 1995 02:39:29 -1000 From: Sean Doyle Message-Id: <3sm9q1$mqh@gate2.gdc.com> Organization: General DataComm, Inc. Subject: Re: Bitter End Bob.Goghan@crystal.dircon.co.uk wrote: > Hello Ex-Colonial ( Marty ) > While we are obviously very pleased > that our language is extensively used in the ex-colonies, and it is well > known here that you are enthusiastic in the interpretation of some words > in the English Language. The term 'Bitter End' might well lead too > less confusion if it were used in the correct context, it seems to be > the latest 'buzz word'.... > Bob in Hillingdon. The use of the term "bitter end" has also confused this former colonist. It is obvious what part of the line is being described but where did the term 'bitter end' come from? The only bitter end I know is when my lines broke and our 14-pack went drifting off into the atlantic. By the way, have any of you in the former empire seen it. The kites were teal, pink, white and black with ... never mind. Sean Doyle Huntington, CT. U.S.A. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 26 Jun 1995 15:35:07 -1000 From: sasaki@netopd.harvard.edu (Marty Sasaki) Message-Id: <199506270135.VAA00702@netopd.harvard.edu> Organization: Harvard University Office of Information Technology Subject: Bitter End !!! I wrote a note to Bob in response to his posting of my use of the term "bitter end". His response was both interesting and amusing and I've posted it here with his permission. Marty Sasaki From: bob.goghan@ps.com (Bob Goghan) Subject: Bitter End !!! Date: Mon, 26 Jun 1995 21:29:00 GMT Organization: Powerline Systems Ltd. Data 0181 845 8228. Cut........ S>>While I appreciate your point of view, in this case I believe I have >>used the term correctly. In various books and other publications, the >>bitter end refers to the end of the line or rope. Perhaps my usage is >>incorrect, but it only mimics the usage of others. S>>I guess those of us in the USA should strive to use our language >>properly, and I am as guilty as most for being sloppy in the way that >>I write and I speak. S>>Please tell me, what is the proper usage of the term "bitter end". S>> Marty Hello Marty, Many thanks for your message >From the Colonies, I hope you recognized my tongue-in-cheek approach. The confusing part of using the old Naval Term of 'Bitter End' is that it does 'not' apply to the kite-end of the line or rope, and it has been used for 'either or both' ends in past articles leading to confusion. I do not wish to teach my grandmother to suck eggs and as your address is a School that even we have heard of in the UK . As I am studying Old Naval Battles at the moment and can highly recommend 'Guns At Sea' by Peter Padfield, which speaks very highly of the fighting qualities of the Americans against the British Navy in the 1700s, and explains lots of the original meanings of the words we use today, like 'junk' for odd pieces of rope or line, ( for sleeving !). Anyway to get to the point, the 'Bitt' is a post which the Anchor Rope or any other line is attached, and when the Anchor drags on the sea bed during a storm with a on-shore wind, the only thing to do is to let out more Anchor rope hoping the flukes will catch and hold the ship from crashing onto the rocks. When all the rope has been paid out, you are 'Holding on to the Bitter-end'. So the Bitter End is the end of the line you let out 'your end' not the 'kite end', which lead to the confusion on my part. Nice talking to you Marty. PS, please throw the Tea into the harbour ! Bye, Bob in Hillingdon. PPS, You can re-post this explanation in rec.kites if you wish. * QMPro 1.53 * I speak 3 languages. English, Scottish and rubbish. --- * QMPro 1.53 * If lady barrister lost her briefs would she be solicitor? = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 27 Jun 1995 06:50:01 -1000 From: swann_m@a1filton.filton.bso.mts.dec.com (Mike Swann) Message-Id: <35759072605991_1525989@FILTON> Organization: Harvard University Office of Information Technology Subject: Re:Bitter end [This message is converted from WPS-PLUS to ASCII] The bitter end was originally the inboard end of a rope beyond the Bitts. More recently it has become to mean the inactive end of a rope or line. Mike -- Swann_m@bso.mts.dec.com White Horse Kite Flyers = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =