Am I the only one bothered by the term "T's?"

[Exoskeleton Invertebrates]

Omg! I hate it! Lol! I hate it too. T's don't bother me. I feel like I'm in high school when I hear those abbreviations. Maybe that's why it bothers me.

 

[viper69]

Am I the only one bothered by the term "T's?"

Tarantulas are a variety of spider. I fail to see what your point was there?
I could just as well call them animals, arachnids, fauna, even arthropods. Do you have issues with those too, even though they're all technically correct terms?

Logical abbreviation or not, it bothers me because I associate it with laziness. (And shirts)
I'm shocked that, as a writer, you don't see an issue with it.

Can you picture passages from a well respected novel reading out like:
"Rofl," exclaimed the distinguished gentleman. "That was a wonderfully titillating joke."
The clown replied, "That it was, my good man. NEways, do u no the 1 about the dog with no nose?"

Critters is generic. I see no problem using it especially if it's obvious what the conversation is referring to.
While I primarily keep tarantulas, I have a variety of other things as well so it comes up in conversation a lot.

---------- Post added 09-17-2015 at 03:23 AM ----------



Out of curiosity, what's appealing about it?

In point of fact, Ts are not a variety of spider. They are each a variety of arachnid. Spiders are not Ts.

For the clown part I wouldn't know the difference by listening if someone said u or you. You botched your point with what you wrote hahah

---------- Post added 09-17-2015 at 08:17 AM ----------

"S's" and "C's" of course!


Or, if they're called scorps and pedes, why not call tarantulas tulas?

Because they are already called Ts!

---------- Post added 09-17-2015 at 08:19 AM ----------

Well, I am often typing from my phone. At 30, I do not have the speed master skills of the younger folks on my phone's keyboard, so abbreviating to "T" is really helpful. Especially since AB is not particularly mobile-friendly website.

Try the App Tapatalk

 

[MikeC]

I call them spiders,tarantulas,bugs,and T's. I love the term "T",if nothing but for the sake of laziness.How could such a silly little thing even be irritating? You must hate urticating hairs! Or "U hairs" as we lazy people call them.

Actually, I am extremely sensitive to urticating hair. There's a reason my collection is primarily old world.

---------- Post added 09-17-2015 at 09:24 AM ----------

In point of fact, Ts are not a variety of spider. They are each a variety of arachnid.

I'm going to challenge you. Tarantulas are spiders. That is an unarguable fact.
Not all spiders are tarantulas, seeing as there's a huge variety of them.

 

[Sam_Peanuts]

I used to find it stupid, but since it stuck for many years and it's pretty well established in the forum now, I'm fine with it.

I still try to use the full word when replying to someone new to the forum though and I don't use it when I'm actually talking(I did let it slip out of habit once or twice though while recording videos), but here, I feel it has it's place.

The Tapatalk thing that get added to every post when people use it bugs me a lot more. I always start to read it and then realize it's just garbage that's wasting my time. Maybe one day I'll get used to it.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Actually what i don't like, not even a bit, is the term "Tarantula/s" (even if sound great, i have to admit) used by the USA/Canada/English enthusiast people community. It's not technically correct. Theraphosidae is, actually, the right word.

I dislike the French enthusiasts habit to call Theraphosidae (Tarantulas, here) "Mygal".. incorrect as well.

I use "T" and "T's", here, however.. but just for have life easy, let's say

 

[PanzoN88]

In my case the term ts does not bother me at all, i just prefer not to use it.

 

[LythSalicaria]

Would you like a lice comb to help with that nit-picking? :tongue: (Just teasing, don't hate me!)

In all seriousness, I don't see the issue. When people start abbreviating every word, now that's annoying. But much like Belle, you will catch me saying "T" or "T's" if I've already used the word Tarantula in a paragraph.

 

[MikeC]

Actually what i don't like, not even a bit, is the term "Tarantula/s" (even if sound great, i have to admit) used by the USA/Canada/English enthusiast people community. It's not technically correct. Theraphosidae is, actually, the right word.

I don't agree with this. Theraphosidae is indeed a correct identifying taxonomical term, it does not make Tarantula incorrect.
Do you refer to widows as Lateodectinae?
How about dogs as Canidae? Cats as Felidae or Felinae?
How about children as small Hominidae?

There's a general consensus that common names that describe a genus or family as a whole be used.

I dislike French enthusiasts who call Theraphosidae (Tarantulas, here) "Mygal".. incorrect as well.

Is it? Tarantulas, being Theraphosidae, belong to Mygalomorphae, which is a suborder of Araneae, which is an order from Arachnida, belonging to the phylum Arthropoda. Which one is most correct to you?

 

[BobGrill]

Actually what i don't like, not even a bit, is the term "Tarantula/s" (even if sound great, i have to admit) used by the USA/Canada/English enthusiast people community. It's not technically correct. Theraphosidae is, actually, the right word.

I dislike the French enthusiasts habit to call Theraphosidae (Tarantulas, here) "Mygal".. incorrect as well.

I use "T" and "T's", here, however.. but just for have life easy, let's say

That's what everyone calls them. I hate to sound ignorant, but so what if it's not technically correct?

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[Chris LXXIX]

I don't agree with this. Theraphosidae is indeed a correct identifying taxonomical term, it does not make Tarantula incorrect.
Do you refer to widows as Lateodectinae?
How about dogs as Canidae? Cats as Felidae or Felinae?
How about children as small Hominidae?

There's a general consensus that common names that describe a genus or family as a whole be used.




Is it? Tarantulas, being Theraphosidae, belong to Mygalomorphae, which is a suborder of Araneae, which in turn is an order from Arachnida, belonging to the phylum Arthropoda. Which one is most correct to you?

Theridiidae, Latrodectus sp.

I call those "widows" when talking in general, of course.

I call those with their name, man. Just that.

---------- Post added 09-17-2015 at 11:17 AM ----------

That's what everyone calls them. I hate to sound ignorant, but so what if it's not technically correct?

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

Nothing. I don't like that, but i have no problems with. Just me

 

[viper69]

Actually what i don't like, not even a bit, is the term "Tarantula/s" (even if sound great, i have to admit) used by the USA/Canada/English enthusiast people community. It's not technically correct. Theraphosidae is, actually, the right word.

I dislike the French enthusiasts habit to call Theraphosidae (Tarantulas, here) "Mygal".. incorrect as well.

I use "T" and "T's", here, however.. but just for have life easy, let's say

I think that's funny, esp because the word Tarantula originated in Europe, after the town Taranto in Italy.

---------- Post added 09-17-2015 at 09:21 AM ----------

you. Tarantulas are spiders. That is an unarguable fact.
Not all spiders are tarantulas, seeing as there's a huge variety of them.

In point of fact, I could be wrong! However, just saying I'm wrong doesn't mean I am. Come back w/the phylogenetic trees for each and we'll know for sure. I don't care if I'm wrong, just demonstrate it.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

I think that's funny, esp because the word Tarantula originated in Europe, after the town Taranto in Italy.

Indeed. The reason IMO is about something (not someone) "from Taranto", hence "Tarantula".. related to Taranto somewhat.
Btw what really amaze me is that there's still Lycosa tarantula in the wild of Taranto. Seriously, they are probably some sort of "Fallout" mutant creatures.
One of the worst polluted Italian towns.

 

[MikeC]

Theridiidae, Latrodectus sp.

I call those "widows" when talking in general, of course.

I call those with their name, man. Just that.

I guess I'm still missing why tarantula and widow are "technically" incorrect?

I probably shouldn't have used domesticated animals as the other examples.
What about squid? Rhinoceros? Fruit bats? Palm trees? Tomatoes? Gemstones?

---------- Post added 09-17-2015 at 10:37 AM ----------

In point of fact, I could be wrong! However, just saying I'm wrong doesn't mean I am. Come back w/the phylogenetic trees for each and we'll know for sure. I don't care if I'm wrong, just demonstrate it.

I can dig up a tree for it when I have more time at my disposal, but I can try and simplify it.
The order Araneae contains what we all know as spiders. Tarantulas belong to it as well. As do widows, wolf spiders, trap doors, wandering spiders, funnel webs, etc.

The term "true spider" commonly used is a misnomer. Something that doesn't fall under it isn't necessarily a "false spider", although there are exceptions. Tarantulas aren't one of them.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

I guess I'm still missing why tarantula and widow are "technically" incorrect?

I probably shouldn't have used domesticated animals as the other examples.
What about squid? Rhinoceros? Fruit bats? Palm trees? Tomatoes? Gemstones?

"Widow" from my point of view, is a common name for Latrodectus sp.
"Tarantula" IMO is incorrect, as i've said.
There's no need for reply to your other examples. Dogs are dogs.. but a "Mastiff" one isn't in the same family of a Chihuahua.

---------- Post added 09-17-2015 at 11:50 AM ----------

Have to go, now, and will reply later.
I still think that calling Theraphosidae "Tarantulas" is not correct, but more reasonable than the French "Mygal" (from Mygalomorphae, of course).
Question, just for example.. if we start all of a sudden to call Theraphosidae (Tarantulas) ONLY Mygalomorphae... we could continue to state: "No one ever died from a bite?"

 

[viper69]

I guess I'm still missing why tarantula and widow are "technically" incorrect?

I probably shouldn't have used domesticated animals as the other examples.
What about squid? Rhinoceros? Fruit bats? Palm trees? Tomatoes? Gemstones?

---------- Post added 09-17-2015 at 10:37 AM ----------



I can dig up a tree for it when I have more time at my disposal, but I can try and simplify it.
The order Araneae contains what we all know as spiders. Tarantulas belong to it as well. As do widows, wolf spiders, trap doors, wandering spiders, funnel webs, etc.

The term "true spider" commonly used is a misnomer. Something that doesn't fall under it isn't necessarily a "false spider", although there are exceptions. Tarantulas aren't one of them.

Right, at the Araneae they are both in the same group, that one I knew. It's further down where I wanted to know where they diverge. As Ts are more primitive there's a divergence at some point.

 

[MikeC]

"Widow" from my point of view, is a common name for Latrodectus sp. "Tarantula" IMO is incorrect, as i've said.

So, Widow is correct, but Tarantula is not?

You have said it, but you haven't explained why you think that. That's what I've been after.

There's no need for reply to your other examples. Dogs are dogs.. but a "Mastiff" one isn't in the same family of a Chihuahua.

So, a dog is a dog, but a tarantula is not a tarantula? Or am I misunderstanding what you're trying to mean? Why is it okay to refer to some animals by common designations, and not others?

A mastiff and chihuahua are the same species.

I still think that calling Theraphosidae "Tarantulas" is not correct, but more reasonable than the French "Mygal" (from Mygalomorphae, of course).

Again, I feel it would help the conversation if you explained why you think that. Is it because Mygalomorphae is a broader class?

Question, just for example.. if we start all of a sudden to call Theraphosidae (Tarantulas) ONLY Mygalomorphae... we could continue to state: "No one ever died from a bite?"

You could still say: no one ever died from a tarantula bite.

---------- Post added 09-17-2015 at 11:19 AM ----------

Right, at the Araneae they are both in the same group, that one I knew. It's further down where I wanted to know where they diverge. As Ts are more primitive there's a divergence at some point.

Anything in Araneae is a spider. Past that, those are just varieties of spiders, broken up into different taxonomical groups.
There's a second classification in Theraphosidae besides what we call tarantulas, the bald legged spiders Paratropididae.
(That's partially why I'm getting confused that Chris is saying Tarantula is wrong, and Theraphosidae is correct)

 

[Chris LXXIX]

So, Widow is correct, but Tarantula is not?

You have said it, but you haven't explained why you think that. That's what I've been after.



So, a dog is a dog, but a tarantula is not a tarantula? Or am I misunderstanding what you're trying to mean? Why is it okay to refer to some animals by common designations, and not others?

A mastiff and chihuahua are the same species.



Again, I feel it would help the conversation if you explained why you think that. Is it because Mygalomorphae is a broader class?




You could still say: no one ever died from a tarantula bite.

---------- Post added 09-17-2015 at 11:19 AM ----------



Anything in Araneae is a spider. Past that, those are just varieties of spiders, broken up into different taxonomical groups.
There's a second classification in Theraphosidae besides what we call tarantulas, the bald legged spiders Paratropididae.
(That's partially why I'm getting confused that Chris is saying Tarantula is wrong, and Theraphosidae is correct)

No. "widow/s" from my point of view, isn't correct. As i've said, "widow/s" is a common name, and common names do only nothing but confusion.

While, granted, there's some common names i use, and i admit, i love (because i feel that they hit the target creating those) such Pterinochilus murinus "Orange Bitey Thing", Pelinobius muticus "King Baboon" or Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens "GBB", and of course, "Black Widow" for Latrodectus mactans, i personally despise the using, or creation, of common names.

"Giant super white/orange/knee something" etc. Bollocks.

Spiders, spiders.. "everything" is a spider. Atrax robustus is a spider. Pterinochilus murinus is as well, and so for everyone from Phoneutria nigriventer to Argiope bruennichi.
But i think is always better to be specific.

As for for French, and some Italians as well, who loves to label under the "Mygal/Mygals" or "Migale/Migali" (in Italian) term, the Theraphosidae "world" (here, Tarantulas) is damn wrong IMO.
Because, in that scenario, you can't anymore state "no one died from a bite" because there's, just for instance, Hadronyche formidabilis and Atrax robustus chelicerae who can prove, anytime, the opposite.

As i've said, IMO to call Theraphosidae ALL the, no matter if NW or OW, and no matter: temperament, size, colours, venom potency, habits etc isn't wrong. Others aren't obligate to agree with that. I have nothing against people who call them "Tarantulas", i'm used to that, and the matter i dislike that means nothing.

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

Oh, so we are being pedantic, eh? Well, I'll see folk's annoyance at "T's" and raise them my annoyance over "slings". It is a contraction of "spiderlings" and as such, should be "s'lings"!


Eh, I'm just T'sing , y'all!

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Oh, so we are being pedantic, eh? Well, I'll see folk's annoyance at "T's" and raise them my annoyance over "slings". It is a contraction of "spiderlings" and as such, should be "s'lings"!


Eh, I'm just T'sing , y'all!

I don't want to sound pedantic at all, or an arrogant one. I just call Tarantulas Theraphosidae, that's all

 

[windscorpions1]

I do use the term "T" but I use it a bit more sparingly. Most of the time I just refer to them as spiders.