George L. McDowell, Jr. wrote > We use the term "mean" to describe the time shown > by man-made chronometers. I suggest that this is > an incorrect use of the English word (and an > incorrect use of words in other languages which > have the same meaning as 'mean' has in English). > I think the proper word is "average." I say this > because I think that the average time it takes the > earth to rotate each day beneath the sun from one > point in its orbit to the same point approximately > a year later is 24 hours, and that the mean of the > times it takes the earth to so rotate is not > relevant to a determination of the length of a > day. Is my thinking correct or incorrect? Thanks.
George I would suggest is in error. 'Average' has a connotation of ordinariness. The OED gives its definition, among others, as the 'usual amount, extebt or rate.' 'Mean' on the other hand has a much more precise meaning as 'the condition, quality or course of action equally removed form two opposite extremes.' In sailing terms 'mean sea level is that level which is half way between the high and low tides. The statisticians among us will also appreciate the difference between the average and the mean. Perhaps I could enter the following for consideration for Tony's wonderful prize, which ,should I win, I will dedicate to George: I am not average, I am not mean, I tell the time just as seen. 'Ha!Ha!' Paul @ 53* 17' N 06* 08' W
