An implosion is a specific scientific phenomenon, not using plastic explosives to destroy a building inwardly so it won't hurt anything else around it.
Why not just be correct and say "demolish" or "destroy"? I'm sick of these idiots who misuse the word and warp its meaning. Is anyone else sick of this, too?
2007-04-20 08:28:50 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Anything that truly implodes actually vanishes. If these buildings are imploding, why do I still see them? Where is the vortex that these building should be falling into, IF this word weren't being misused?
2007-04-20 10:10:23 · update #1
Hello there,
The word "implosion" refers to a violent inward collapse, or a bursting inward (as opposed to an explosion). I don't consider it incorrect to apply it to a building (or anything else) which collapses inwardly.
The American Heritage Dictionary recognises this definition: "3. The inward collapse of a building that is being demolished in a controlled fashion by the weakening and breaking of structural members by explosives." (see http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/implosion).
Anyway, a word can have more than one meaning, or can be applied to more than one concept or situation. And while "building implosions" are not generated in the same way as implosions in the scientific sense are, I don't think that necessarily means that it is incorrect to speak of "building implosions". After all, a horseradish does not contain horses, does it?
Regards,
Crafty
2007-04-20 09:00:01 · answer #1 · answered by nathan_lovecraft 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The dictionary says an implosion is the opposite of an explosion. Since the building does not EXplode, or destroyed by a wrecking ball, it must be IMploded.
2007-04-20 15:38:38 · answer #2 · answered by Grove 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
From the American Heritage Dictionary:
im·plo·sion (Äm-plÅ'zhÉn) Pronunciation Key n.
1. A violent collapse inward, as of a highly evacuated glass vessel.
2. Violent compression.
3. The inward collapse of a building that is being demolished in a controlled fashion by the weakening and breaking of structural members by explosives.
4. Linguistics The pronunciation of a stop consonant with the breath drawn in.
2007-04-20 15:40:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is short for implosive demolition a term used to contrast explosive demolition.
Sure, it isn't technically an implosion, but what would you use instead to distinguish between the techniques of explosive demolition and _____ demolition?
Demolish demolition? Destroy demolition?
I can call a 1024 bytes a kilobyte, even though kilo means 1000.
Language adapts, get used to it.
2007-04-20 15:38:46 · answer #4 · answered by Vegan 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It is implode. The building falls inward. Not explodes, or, comes down by blasting outward.
2007-04-20 15:32:19 · answer #5 · answered by hooty_hey 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because the building falls in on itself into a heap of rubble.
2007-04-20 15:37:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
no. u are the only one with nothing more important to be concerned about !
2007-04-20 15:34:20 · answer #7 · answered by Emotional F 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Chill. Does it really matter that much??
2007-04-20 15:34:34 · answer #8 · answered by judyarb1945 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋