Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2013 July 21

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July 21

I need a Dutch (or Afrikaans) speaker!

Whats the difference between Pad (weg) and Wandelpad? On the Dutch Wikipedia, theres an article for both Pad and Wandelpad article. They both look like the same thing?

Thank you. --KuchenZimjah (talk) 15:20, 21 July 2013 (UTC)

The first is a path or trail, the second a hiking trail marked with signs for hiking. --Pp.paul.4 (talk) 15:29, 21 July 2013 (UTC)

Thanks! --KuchenZimjah (talk) 16:06, 21 July 2013 (UTC)

Note they are quite obvious cognates: Path (way) and Wanderpath. μηδείς (talk) 16:17, 21 July 2013 (UTC)

Flashlight

The same hand held lighting device is known as a torch in UK English, and a flashlight in US English. I can see the logic of the name torch, deriving from a flame on the end of a stick, used for the same purpose, but where does the name flashlight come from? If it actually flashed, it would be pretty annoying. HiLo48 (talk) 16:01, 21 July 2013 (UTC)

Aye, and if George Formby went 'fawcett dancing' on his American Tour, it would be equally annoying. KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK) 16:47, 21 July 2013 (UTC) .

Did you read the third paragraph of Flashlight#History? Deor (talk) 16:05, 21 July 2013 (UTC)

I skimmed the article, and missed that. Thanks. Might move it to an Etymology section. HiLo48 (talk) 16:26, 21 July 2013 (UTC)

Done. HiLo48 (talk) 23:32, 22 July 2013 (UTC)

Some flashlights also have a flashing mode, which can be used as a warning light. StuRat (talk) 21:12, 23 July 2013 (UTC)

I have a torch that does that. HiLo48 (talk) 22:04, 23 July 2013 (UTC)

Then there's also those with a mode where the button must be held down to keep it on, which makes them useful for signalling. StuRat (talk) 22:11, 23 July 2013 (UTC)

I always figured they were called flashlights because you flash them around the room (or the path through the woods or whatever) since they're not big enough to illuminate the whole area. Aɴɢʀ (talk) 21:16, 23 July 2013 (UTC)