COCKPIT

Use this forum to suggest Good Words for Professor Beard.
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David McWethy
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COCKPIT

Postby David McWethy » Thu May 07, 2015 8:58 am

I know that this is a term most often used to refer to where a pilot (and perhaps a co-pilot, navigator, etc.) sits, but why call it a "cockpit"? Why not a "PGA", for "Pilot's Guidance Area"--or, for those local hillbilly cropdusters of Tree Top Airlines--"pure grain alcohol"?

(You didn't think they did that kind of low (20' AFF) flying SOBER did you?)
"The time has come," the Walrus said, "to talk of many things...."

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Slava
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Re: COCKPIT

Postby Slava » Thu May 07, 2015 9:43 am

I definitely wouldn't have thought of this one:
1580s, "a pit for fighting cocks," from cock + pit. Used in nautical sense (1706) for midshipmen's compartment below decks; transferred to airplanes (1914) and to cars (1930s).
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Perry Lassiter
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Re: COCKPIT

Postby Perry Lassiter » Fri May 08, 2015 8:56 pm

Cars?
Below decks?
Pits for fighting cocks, yes. Obvious.
But why when moved to boats and planes is the "pit" suddenly aloft for visibility? Never heard of midshipmen use below deck, nor for cars.
pl


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