Your unicycle called a "bike"

[Milosboy]

I couldn't care less what they call it.

They may live their robotic, unfulfilling life styles while I barrel down the street on my... unicycle, wishing that I was Spock

Then, and only then, would I demand that they call it a unicycle; after all, it's only logical.

[harper]

Originally Posted by deadbeatpope

This episode has now been released on podcast. My call is the first one and is at about 3min. A summary of the show and the MP3 link are at the following URL.

http://www.waywordradio.org/pipe-and-smoke-it/

The call starts at 2:50. It was a fun show. I was deeply offended by the program.

[johnfoss]

Originally Posted by Sanne.Kj

Danish, for instance. "Cykel" is used as a common word. To specify a unicycle you have to say "ethjulet cykel".

In the 1980s, Jean Ascher created the Dansk Uni Cykel Union. In 1983 he told me there were three possible versions of "unicycle" in Danish (which I can't remember), but that none of them were official. I told him that could be up to him, as the guy working to create a national organization there. I guess he picked Uni Cykel. Doesn't "ethjulet cykel" translated literally to English as "one wheel cycle"?

Meanwhile I will continue not to be offended by people who call it a bike, unless they're actually involved in unicycling themselves. I'm a lot more offended by Americans that can't pronounce the name of a country we've been fighting a war in for eight years. It's not "Eye-rack".

[SqueakyOnion]

I always thought having a negative reaction to "bike" to be just plain silly. But then, I have played the euphonium for 7 years now, and just grew to realize that people outside of my little niche won't necessarily be able to conjure the most precise word in an exclamatory instant - they just want to express their surprise, novelty, etc, all positive things. So, it gets called a baritone, french horn, trumpet, or just" horn." It makes sense; they don't use one all the time, so how can they be expected to know the differences between similar terms in a niche activity they aren't personally involved in?

Same with unis. People who don't ride, but who want to make a comment, reach for the most familiar word that seems to fit.

To me, no big deal.

Though, my parents still refer to it as a "bike," even though I've only ever said "unicycle." But again, they don't see/use one daily, so it's understandable. No big deal.

[Sanne.Kj]

Originally Posted by johnfoss

In the 1980s, Jean Ascher created the Dansk Uni Cykel Union. In 1983 he told me there were three possible versions of "unicycle" in Danish (which I can't remember), but that none of them were official. I told him that could be up to him, as the guy working to create a national organization there. I guess he picked Uni Cykel. Doesn't "ethjulet cykel" translated literally to English as "one wheel cycle"?

Yes (one-wheeled cycle).

Jean Ascher has his own cirkus/show. Almost all other unicycle clubs in Denmark are now organised under one of the national sport unions (DGI - Danske Gymnastik- og Idrætsforeninger / Danish Gymnastics and Sports Associations). National championships are arranged through DGI.

Other words for unicycle could be "unicykel" which also is used frequently (many clubs has the word in the club name), or perhaps "ethjuler", meaning one-wheeler.

Best regards,
Sanne

[locsnwheels]

Meh, it only bothers me a little. It's really not a big deal.

[Ereksonj]

When many people comment on my uni, they attempt to get it right, calling it a trike or a tricycle. They just did their math wrong

[deadbeatpope]

I have heard of kilocycles but have never seen one. Are they 500 times easier than a bicycle?

[OUK]

Originally Posted by King Of Suede

Haha I don't think that guy understood what you said for a few seconds.
"Oh... Thats not a bike hummmmmmmmm"

Not related to the grammar discussion.. But can someone explain to me why people yell "DO A WHEELIE!!"?
What am I supposed to do? xD

Seat drag I guess.. But I don't actually know what they want :P