Dead or Ded ?

[andrewhopkins]

Reading Bill Coopers "sell up and Sail", he makes a comment that Dead reckoning should be Ded reckoning as it is a reduction of the word DEDuced.

Is this right ? I was always taught and read it as DEAD.

 

[bob_tyler]

Although usually written as DR or Dead the origin is "deduced" as correctly stated.

 

[Mudhook]

Where it's come from and how you spell it are different things. I've read a number of sources that cite the 'deduced reckoning' root of the phrase, and I like to think that is where it came from. However it's spelled 'dead', without a shadow of a doubt. Unless you want everyone you meet to point out your error... or enter into an interesting dialogue about etymology!

Regards, Mudhook

 

[jac]

I'd always thought it was Ded for the reasons you state.

I think the answer is DR or just plot a fix

 

[AndrewB]

According to OED ...

Dead reckoning, first recorded 1613, uses dead in the sense of sure or unerring, first recorded 1592; e.g. dead earnest, dead shot.

 

[Guest]

I'm with you on this one. Surely 'reckoning' is by definition deduced?

 

[pugwash]

Ded ahed..? nm

x

 

[Babu]

Re: According to OED ...

This has got to be right, and Bill has got it wrong. A position fix is deduced from the information available. Or, in other words, reckoned by means of the information given. Deduced- Reckoned mean the same thing and therefore is just a repetition. What's the word for it? Too many drimks tonight!

 

[Seafort]

Re: Think of it as dead

Because thats what can happen if you start relying on DRs.

Best regards
DF

 

[BrianJ]

Have heard that "dead" is never used on a Navy ship..ie "dead ahead".
That would mean then I agree it is "ded"
BrianJ

 

[charles_reed]

Save on vowels

Do your bit for environmentalism

 

[charles_reed]

Bill Cooper is always good

for thought-provoking anagrammatic utterances.

What the hell!! He's trying to amuse and get you thinking.

Good luck Bill, hope you're enjoying the Med sun.