In article ,
Stuart wrote:
A tidal wave is something completely
different to a tsunami, but a lot of people don't seem to realise this.

For the last time, it is not.

Get hold of a dictionary and look up the meaning.

Maybe its a common use of it, but its not correct, as those of us with
degrees in geology know. It may have become an alternative name for those
who don't know better, but the original meaning is quite different.

It is perfectly correct, as you would know if you had a degree in
English - or even a better working knowledge of it. As C.P. Snow
pointed out (correctly), few scientists do, though not as few
"arts and humanities" people that have an understanding of science.
Incidentally, I am one of neither class, though an academic :-)

The English language is defined by its usage, and the OED reflects
that. In geological jargon, they may be different, but this group
is uk.rec.gardening, and we use primarily normal English, secondarily
horticulural jargon and tertiarily botanical Latin. Plus many other
dialects, argots and cants, of course.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.