Nomenclature Question/Gripe

[TonysReef]

So, I grew up with fish tanks, though I've been out of the hobby for about seven years, although I've remained an avid scuba diver for about fifteen years and have always had a fondness for clownfish and anemones.

My question is, when and why did people start calling anemones "nems" because that wasn't a thing when I left the scene; and does anyone else hate it as much as I do? Don't want to sound like a gatekeeper or old man on the porch complaining about kids these days (I'm 34 fwiw), but it really does seem like a horrible hypocorism for a beautiful creature.

Pt. 2: Why does everyone refer to the clown/anemone relationship by saying the clown hosts the anemone/coral? How in the world is it not obviously the other way around?

Appreciate any insight, (old man) rant over.

 

[Captain Quint]

Welcome aboard ...

I've been into both SCUBA and Marine Aquariums both since '74 with no breaks from either (and ~61 FWIW... '34'...old man...lol!) and have not called an anemone a nem that I know of (unless I slipped by accident)and yes IMHO all know it is the anemone which allows the hosting of the clownfish and not the other way around but neither need the other to survive and thrive as I'm certain you're aware of.

But a clownfish will host anything...coral, a PG, etcetera not giving them a choice. lol.

We all enjoy a good rant/discussion now and then new friend.

 

[dylana407]

Nem is shorter to type than anemone.
2. Why is there a part 2, but no part 1?
3. Did you checked the grammar of your first paragraph?

My point is why get hangups on the trivial?
The older generation of reefers have to read books to learn about reefing. They learned all the technical terms and the Latin names. Today reefers just post the questions in the forum to get their answers. They know what an iron man mushroom is, but they don't know nor care about its scientific name, genus and what not.
If you call a Colorado Sunburst a quadrilcolor people will get mad...lol. Regardless of how many times I tell people the clown is not the host, people continue to say the clown host the anemone. Just let it be!

 

[RJinPV]

I use acronyms, LTA, BTA, RFA, etc. Is that worse? Actually a nice porch and a cold beer seems real good right now. Oh yeah ... Welcome to R2R!

 

[KorD]

I shorten the word so I can same my fingers a few extra letters of typing.. I'm lucky at times if I can focus on my phone's keyboard at times. Mostly it is LTA, BTA and so on.
Strange thing is I only shorten the word on my cell phone, if I'm on my computer I will type out the full word.

I dont agree about the hosting part. It would be considered more of a mutual symbiotic relationship between the two.

 

[rkpetersen]

My question is, when and why did people start calling anemones "nems" because that wasn't a thing when I left the scene; and does anyone else hate it as much as I do? Don't want to sound like a gatekeeper or old man on the porch complaining about kids these days (I'm 34 fwiw), but it really does seem like a horrible hypocorism for a beautiful creature.

Pt. 2: Why does everyone refer to the clown/anemone relationship by saying the clown hosts the anemone/coral? How in the world is it not obviously the other way around?

I felt the same way about 'nem' when I first got back into the hobby but have gotten used to it, even use it now and then.
At least it's not as grating as listening to people say 'anenome', which people do constantly, including many saltwater aquarium store employees who should know better.

And of course, clowns don't host. It's just awkward for most people to try and express it correctly, so they don't.

Also thanks for increasing my vocabulary today, but now get off my lawn!

 

[Tiger Brown]

I feel you TonyNYC!

Listen, I still don't get how "#" which I know darn well is a pound sign, suddenly became a "hashtag", whatever that is.

 

[D-Nak]

Here are a couple more:

gig = gigantea

mag = magnifica

My suggestion is to get used to us using the shortened names; no one is going to stop using them ("nem" included). The people who create threads (aka "the OP") are looking for solutions and simply want answers to their questions. Those of us who try to help are generally forgiving of grammatical errors because we know the people are in a hurry, don't care, or maybe English isn't their forte. In response, I would hope that those on the receiving end don't mind the acronyms or shortened words as none of us are getting paid.

Regarding Pt 2., the anemone is the host, not the clown. It's never been the other way around.

 

[KorD]

I feel you TonyNYC!

Listen, I still don't get how "#" which I know darn well is a pound sign, suddenly became a "hashtag", whatever that is.

I know I'm going to get yelled at for this, but this is exactly the way I see the # symbol... I'm just going to end up in R2R jail for this..[emoji87]

 

[Waynerock]

I know I'm going to get yelled at for this, but this is exactly the way I see the # symbol... I'm just going to end up in R2R jail for this..[emoji87]

Haha I just sent that to like 50 people! Thanks for that

 

[Bryson.bobby]

I know I'm going to get yelled at for this, but this is exactly the way I see the # symbol... I'm just going to end up in R2R jail for this..[emoji87]

Haha