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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.

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Looking for just the right word
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1
2009/05/28 - 11:39pm

Hi, my name is Lindsay and I am the new director of a camp. A sister camp in my council has a program for girls who have been campers four years or longer called “Pioneers.” It is a very special ceremony, celebrating the value of hard work, an adventurous nature, and love of the out of doors and other qualities known to the pioneers who colonized the West. This camp primarily offers horse-related programs, so the word “pioneer” is appropriate.

I would like to have a similar program for my campers, but cannot settle on a name. My camp is on a lake, and we have waterfront programs as well as a challenge course. Do you have any suggestions for an equivalent word to “pioneer” that has more nautical or adventurous roots?

Thank you for your time!

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2
2009/05/29 - 1:53am

Trailblazers, explorers, daredevils, pirates, venturers, voyagers, pathfinders, scouts. If they are aquatic and adventure/obstacle oriented, I think kids would love to be called pirates, especially if they are rewarded with "hidden treasures." Perhaps the Pirates of the Caribbean series has helped take away some of the more negative connotations!

Ron Draney
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3
2009/05/29 - 3:48am

It probably had, until the recent activities off the Somali coast.

If you'd like a synonym without the same sort of associations, one that carries the flavor of maritime adventure, may I offer "Corsairs"?

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4
2009/05/29 - 5:55am

I like corsair but, while corsair does have a romantic elegance, it still carries a strong association with piracy. Likewise, buccaneer. I also like explorers and venturers / adventurers above.

You can get good terms from ship names, naval and maritime terms, seabirds and shorebirds, and sea creatures.

Ensign (implies youth)? Navigator? Sailor? ( avoid swab)
Sandpiper? Phalarope? Petrel? Plover? (my high-school mascot was a pelican, so my sensibilities may be warped in this category). (avoid albatross)
Brigantine? Spinnaker? Schooner? Clipper? ( avoid dinghy)
Starfish? (avoid shark, barracuda, narwhal, and carp)

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5
2009/05/30 - 10:54am

I would think that few kids would understand what the word “corsairs” meant. I just barely understand the meaning, and I have a post-doctorate education.

"Octopus? Octopi?"

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6
2009/06/01 - 11:06pm

You may have a Ph.D., but you must not be old enough to remember the Ford Corsair. It's funny that Ford is the only American car company that isn't acting like a corsair.

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