T&T: Salon or Saloon - What's the difference?

[Albin43SDtr]

'Lo All,

> >The word is spelled "salon." It is pronounced  "saloon."
>
>Magazines that are well-written and well-edited spell the word for a
>boat's living room as "saloon" and pronounce it as "salon."
>
>For those who care about the English language, here are other
>guidelines on style and usage in our shop:

Since the object of using words - written or spoken - is to 
communicate, and the object of communication is to convey meaning, as 
long as both the sender/speaker and the person receiving the 
utterance both comprehend the intended meaning of said utterance, 
what the hell difference does it make whether someone calls it a 
saloon or salon??!!

On the other hand, I, as a Captain USAF, was kicked out of a General 
Officer's conference (all others were Lt Col and above), because I 
noted that representatives from the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and 
Tactical Communications Area (TCA) were both agreeing on the 
definition of Strategic and Tactical communications. I knew they had 
diametrically opposed meanings in their definitions, but the terms 
were the same. I was assigned to TCA and knew their meaning of the 
terms. Going through Officer Training School, I learned SACs 
meanings. As I departed, I asked the TCA representative, who was 
sitting next to the SAC representative to make sure the SAC guy knew 
TCA's definition of the terms. When I returned to my unit, I informed 
my commander of what happened. He already knew all about it as 
General Kennedy had already called him to apologize and relate that 
the SAC Colonel and GS18 from TCA had to be physically restrained to 
keep them from coming to blows.

The point being, it is worthwhile to be explicit when using what 
could be ambiguous terms/meanings, but as long as the meaning is 
generally understood, what difference if one says salon or saloon, 
other than as light hearted jest? All I know is that I don't have a 
SALOON on the Celestial! :)

JMVHO..... :)


Take care and be safe.

Wayne
M/V Celestial
Albin43 Sundeck