My deskside dictionary agrees with the leading dictionary sites from google search; the motility aid should be 'walking stick' without the hyphen.
And yet Ngrams seems to tell a different story?
Can anyone explain this apparent contradiction?
AJ
Can you provide a sentence for context?
Are you asking for a sentence using 'walking stick' as a motility aid?
Being able to throw away the crutches was cause for celebration, but the physiotherapist made me use a walking stick until my leg muscles were back to reasonable strength.
AJ
Are you asking for a sentence using 'walking stick' as a motility aid?
When some jackass asked me about my needing a cane, I beat the jerk over the head with my 'walking stick'! 'D
P.S. "Walking Sticks" are not motility (i.e. walking) aids. Instead, they're typically used for hikes in the woods, where you can alternate using them for balance, investigating interesting caverns without being bitten by angry badgers, or swing around whenever you break into song.
For that matter, as a one-time collector of antique canes, they were once a fashion statement and not an 'aid', as they had metal tips (which aren't terribly stable when the users isn't) and slip on wet or slick surfaces.
The main difference between these are walking sticks are longer with a heavy head, not typically containing a handle. A decorative cane is thinner, typically with a metal end which 'taps' when walking on most floors to attract attention to the dandy using it, while medical canes are thick wood or steel devices with plastic non-slip pads on the bottom, and are a gateway device to walkers with attached tennis balls.
When I was working on Wall Street, years ago, I walked with antique canes and wore customized 'braces' (suspenders for the non-pretentious) as my way of standing out from the crowd.
By the way, there's no hyphen needed for "walking stick", since it's a simple adjective modifying a noun and not a compound word with a separate meaning (i.e. it's simply a stick used for walking, not a distinct entity in itself).
P.S. "Walking Sticks" are not motility (i.e. walking) aids.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/care-services-equipment-and-care-homes/walking-aids-wheelchairs-and-mobility-scooters/
AJ
Are you asking for a sentence using 'walking stick' as a motility aid?
'I was crawling on the ground when the walking stick jumped on my neck. It scared me so much I got up and started running.'
Thus, a common walking stick - which is another name for praying mantis - is used as a motility aid.
Thus, a common walking stick - which is another name for praying mantis
No, a praying mantis is not a walking stick.
The insects commonly known as walking sticks are not predatory.
In fact, walking sticks and mantises are entirely different orders.
Walking sticks are order Phasmatodea.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phasmatodea
Where as mantises are order Mantodea.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantis
The insects commonly known as walking sticks are not predatory.
We Brits call then stick insects. I used to keep some. Although they're not native to Europe, they did well with shoots stolen from a neighbour's privet hedge ;)
AJ
The insects commonly known as walking sticks are not predatory.
We Brits call then stick insects. I used to keep some. Although they're not native to Europe, they did well with shoots stolen from a neighbour's privet hedge ;)
I guess America ships all of their crippled walking sticks to Britian, rather than having to purchase mobility devices for them. Thus all your your sticks are the non-walking variety. 'D
No, a praying mantis is not a walking stick.
The insects commonly known as walking sticks are not predatory.
In fact, walking sticks and mantises are entirely different orders.
Except that you're now in a situation where regional slang comes into play. In the American Midwest and South, even though it is biologically incorrect, they're still known that way.
In the American Midwest and South, even though it is biologically incorrect, they're still known that way.
I live in the upper Midwest. I've never heard of a praying mantis being called a walking stick.
Parentheses explicitly enable interpreting symbols as mathematical operators in ngrams search strings. Putting parens around "walking-stick" makes it search not for "walking-stick", but for "walking" minus "stick". Leaving off the parens or putting square brackets (explicitly disable mathematical operations) around "walking-stick" gives no hits for it.
Thank you.
I originally compared walking stick to walking-stick - the latter had no matches but I got an alert warning me that compositions needed parentheses. I wrongly assumed a composition was what I was looking for.
I'm very grateful for your explanation.
AJ
Walking sticks are most definitely mobility aids.
I would suggest looking up the difference between mobility and motility as I don't see sperm or turds going hiking anytime soon.
I don't see sperm or turds going hiking anytime soon.
Beware the phrase, "I passed a turd on the path."
Although sperm as usually described as swimming, given their singular purpose it is possible that in dry conditions a few might attempt to hike.
As for walking sticks, many are mobility aids, but not all. Some are more fashion statement and incapable of bearing the weight the user might need to place upon them.
Walking stick isn't descriptive enough on its own to apply broad statements as to its use, or anything else.
Beware the phrase, "I passed a turd on the path."
Although sperm as usually described as swimming, given their singular purpose it is possible that in dry conditions a few might attempt to hike.
They would definitely have a high motility rate.
As for walking sticks, many are mobility aids, but not all. Some are more fashion statement and incapable of bearing the weight the user might need to place upon them.
Walking stick isn't descriptive enough on its own to apply broad statements as to its use, or anything else.
Application of the word 'walking' makes them a mobility aid. The same device can have other words applied that change the definition. Quarterstaff, handstaff, staff, for instance.
Application of the word 'walking' makes them a mobility aid. The same device can have other words applied that change the definition. Quarterstaff, handstaff, staff, for instance.
Adding the word walking to the word stick simply describes the type of stick not its use. If you asked for a quarter staff and were given a walking stick you opponent is going to laugh as he beats you. So the two are not interchangeable but a staff could be used as a mobility aid. An items name and its use are two different things. Lots of people put tea, soup or hot chocolate in a coffee mug...
ETA comma just for Dominions Son
Application of the word 'walking' makes them a mobility aid. The same device can have other words applied that change the definition. Quarterstaff, handstaff, staff, for instance.
No, because its a walking stick - note the space. Walking is the adjective to describe the noun, stick. Quarterstaff and handstaff are the nouns, because they are specific hand held weapons.
Walking stick isn't descriptive enough on its own to apply broad statements as to its use, or anything else.
The name "walking stick" directly implies it doesn't include walking canes, and canes include handles to aid stability and ease of use, while walking 'sticks' are typically tall heavy poles used for walking, though nowadays their mostly sophisticated steel objects with various sophisticated features (none of which feature a handle to help older people stand up). We can play semantics all day, but the two terms have always described two separate objects which serve completely different uses.
We can play semantics all day, but the two terms have always described two separate objects which serve completely different uses.
I agree that playing semantics is pointless.
However I do wonder if we are at cross purposes due to a difference in application between your American and my English terminology?
A quick search of English antique walking sticks shows examples both with and without 'handles' as well as a plethora of decoration, both practical and pure decoration, all commonly referred to as walking sticks.
So perhaps it depends upon where in the world you are as to how things are customarily described?
I agree that playing semantics is pointless.
However I do wonder if we are at cross purposes due to a difference in application between your American and my English terminology?
Good point. Although I never 'hiked' (at least with a walking stick) in England, I did in Switzerland, and everyone there used the term "walking stick" in English, so the word is in common use in Europe, even if the British choose not to use the term.
I suspect it's a different viewpoint. For dictionaries, composed by non-hikers, any device you can lean on is technically a 'cane', thus the two terms are, by default, the exact same.
The difference between the terms only seems to matter to those who regularly hide, as then, the difference is, pardon the pun, blindingly obvious!
though nowadays their mostly sophisticated steel objects
Actually nowadays, they are mostly carbon fiber constructs (to reduce weight).
Correct. I stand corrected (which would normally come under either 'walker' or 'back brace'). 'D
I should have used 'mobility', but 'motility' is sometimes used within the medical profession to mean the same thing - basically the ability of an organism (ie a human) to move independently.
Drat those $100 words!
AJ
I had assumed your intent, but when motility was carried forward by others, and the idea a walking stick wasn't a mobility aid, I figured to add some clarification.
'motility' is sometimes used within the medical profession to mean the same thing
A quadriplegic in a wheelchair is mobile, but not motile (even if it's an electric wheelchair they can drive with a finger control). If they're paraplegic, then they're motile as well, since they can propel the wheelchair themselves.
So, a walking stick is a motility aid (as well as a mobility aid) if you can't walk without it. If you can walk without it, but use it to make walking easier, it's just a mobility aid.
Cant really explain the contradiction but since stick is a noun it seems unlikely that walking-stick would be proper as I typically use it for making a compound adjective to describe a noun.
walking-stick would be proper as I typically use it for making a compound adjective to describe a noun.
... like "a walking-stick rack"?
If it is a magic stick that can walk by itself, a stick that walks, then it is a walking stick.
If it is a magic stick that can walk by itself, a stick that walks, then it is a walking stick.
Oh yeah? Then how do you explain a flying fuck? ;)
AJ
Oh yeah? Then how do you explain a flying fuck? ;)
I'm thinking skydive fuck. Literally a flying fuck. Definitely not the safest thing to do, but it does happen. A google search will turn up videos for it.
I'm thinking skydive fuck. Literally a flying fuck.
No, that would be a falling fuck, not a flying fuck.
No, that would be a falling fuck, not a flying fuck.
Hmmm... I don't give a falling fuck... think I'll use that in the near future. I'm sure there is a hang gliding version though.
Oh yeah? Then how do you explain a flying fuck? ;)
I'm thinking skydive fuck. Literally a flying fuck.
Sorry, but there is no aspect of flying associated with skydiving (aside from how up get into the air to attempt it). Essentially, it would be either 'falling fuck', 'dropping fuck' or more aptly 'plunging fuck'.
the motility aid should be 'walking stick' without the hyphen.
Where I grew up (in the States), the two-word noun was "walking stick" and meant the same thing as walking cane. It contained no hyphens. I don't remember what the hoofers called it when they used them as props in old dancing movies.
Where I grew up (in the States), the two-word noun was "walking stick" and meant the same thing as walking cane. It contained no hyphens.
It depends. Did you spend all your time in town, or did you actually spend time hiking (say along the Appalation Trail). If so, the distinction becomes abundantly clear, and no one who's ever relied on one for miles on end would ever consider using the term for a basic cane.
But ... for someone who's never bothered, or only used one as a kid on a hike with their parents, the difference is neglible. (I used to live with walking distance of the Trail, and have lived near different segments for most of my life (i.e. general East Cost locales).
My "walking stick" from the 1970's was a 5ft 6in white oak dowel that was 1.25in thick with a leather wrapped hand hold area and 6in steel caps on the ends, It was great for hiking trails and worked well for protection. Sucked on any kind of Paved surface.
If you look up walking stick online now most look like a ski pole with a rubber tip and come in pairs.
If you look up walking stick online now most look like a ski pole with a rubber tip and come in pairs.
Hard core hikers are almost obsessive about minimizing the weight of their gear.
In looking at various retail sites for walking sticks, hiking staffs, trekking poles, canes and such I noticed that many of the terms are used interchangeably for the various devises.