(Sounds of Man Mounting Hobby Horse........)
I've said this sort of thing on other threads, but in case nobody was listening....it's another example of the systematic dismantling of the English Language - and, indeed - of language in general. I'm still trying to make sense of the term 'acoustic guitar'. What the bloody hell does that mean? The trouble is, if us pedants don't do enough harrumphing about this stuff, it makes 'THEM'- whoever 'they' are - think they can get away with even worse abuse. As currently used, the terms 'acoustic', 'unplugged' and 'live' mean crap all.
About five years ago, at Sidmouth, the Oyster Band were playing for the Late Night Extra. At some point, an Oyster Band 'Acoustic Set' was billed. In the event, I think it meant that one of them was playing an 'acoustic guitar', or the drummer didn't play the kit, or something. Whatever the difference was, it was still amplified to buggery. At one point, whatsisface (the singer, whose name persistently eludes me - no doubt somebody will fill it in) said "bit loud for 'acoustic' innit?" But then, what does 'acoustic' mean? Well,
I'll tell you what 'acoustic' is: "of or relating to sound, the sense of hearing, or acoustics" (dictionary definition). Acoustics is the science of sound transmition; you can have room acoustics, instrument acoustics, good acoustics, bloody awful acoustics etc. The dictionary goes on to say that it means that the sound (of an 'acoustic guitar' for example, is conveyed naturally, without electronic amplification. I've also been in clubs calling themselves 'unplugged', where EVERYTHING was plugged in. Surely these usages contravene the Trades Descriptions Act?
And as for 'live'.....I think it must mean that the electricity is switched on.
HARRUMPH!
John Kelly.