Re: ... TRICK vs SKILL

Paul Makepeace (cpsm100@thor.cam.ac.uk)
Thu, 2 Mar 1995 04:23:31 -0021 (GMT-0:21)

> >From Merriam-Webster. Take your pick:

Dictionary definitions aren't the end of the story. They're essentially
just the opinions of a bunch of lexicographers ;) Typical failings of
dictionaries are their lack of cover for idioms/colloquialisms that are
either just way too specialised or specific, both of which apply to
unicycling. (Eg your dictionary seems to failed to mention the
adjectival meaning of 'trick' in common parlance ie 'neat'/'impressive'
as in 'trick handlebars'.)

Rather than ask an abstract generic dictionary, ask the people who use
the language, namely the guys/gals on the street actually _performing_
these tricks. Ask the skaters, inliners, BMXers, yo-yo fanatics
(f'chrissakes) and I guarantee you they'll say with >99% probability
'trick'. Furthermore they'll probably vaguely bemused at the suggestion
of actual trickery/deception, a theme your dictionary seems to play on
heavily.

As for deception, check out a modern BMX video. You'll be hitting the
rewind button so often it'll wear out before you're convinced it isn't a
cleverly editted 'trick'!

Cheers, Paul.