Search
Listen on:
Follow me:
Search
Listen on:
Follow me:
Home » Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

A Way with Words, a radio show and podcast about language and linguistics.

Discussion Forum (Archived)

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Advanced Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Min search length: 3 characters / Max search length: 84 characters
Search
The forums are currently locked and only available for read only access
sp_TopicIcon
In orbit or on orbit?
Guest
1
2008/08/27 - 8:55am
Print

Whenever I watch a space shuttle launch, I notice that the NASA commentators use the phrase, "on orbit" when the shuttle has made it to space. However, most news outlets use, "in orbit" to describe the shuttle's location.

Which is correct?

Guest
2
2008/08/27 - 9:28am
Print

Both, perhaps?

Here's a link to usage in a recent novel: Orbit, by John J. Nance.

Google hits for "on orbit" appear to skew heavily to pages related to NASA and space.

Dan Heim
3
2008/09/03 - 2:18pm
Print

You know, I noticed that terminology starting up some time ago ... maybe 5-10 years. I don't like "on orbit." I agree that an astronaut is "in orbit." Funny thing is how this migrated to other areas as well. I hear weather people say things like "12 inches of rain on the year" and sportscasters say "150 yards on the half." Strange how the language can morph like, sometimes for no apparent good reason (like in this case).

Jeeeez ... another math test. I gotta figure out how to register here.

Martha Barnette
San Diego, CA
820 Posts
(Offline)
4
2008/09/05 - 1:47pm
Print

Thanks for pointing this out, BC12D. I'd missed that particular phrase. Wonder if NASA has a specific technical reason for saying it that way?

I'm with Dan -- "in orbit" sounds better to my ear. (But then, I'm not from New York and if I have to wait for other people to be served first, I much prefer to stand "in line," not "on line."

Martha Barnette
San Diego, CA
820 Posts
(Offline)
5
2008/09/05 - 1:49pm
Print

Thanks for pointing this out, BC12D. I'd missed this. Wonder if NASA has some particular technical reason to say it this way?

Forum Timezone: UTC -7
Show Stats
Administrators:
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Moderators:
Grant Barrett
Top Posters:
Newest Members:
A Conversation with Dr Astein Osei
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 1
Topics: 3647
Posts: 18912

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 618
Members: 1268
Moderators: 1
Admins: 2
Most Users Ever Online: 1147
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 63
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)

Menu

Recent posts