Aliasing tape_measure -> measuring_tape.
Reason: A common name for the same item.
Updated by a moderator
Posted under General
Aliasing tape_measure -> measuring_tape.
Reason: A common name for the same item.
Updated by a moderator
My observations are that, while they have partial synonymy in many dialects, they are frequently considered different:
"Tape Measure" tends to refer to the spring-loaded automatic winding item: http://blog.redfin.com/boston/files/2008/10/tape_measure.jpg
"Measuring Tape" is then the loose and limp item used for fitting by tailors and costumers: http://bespokecommunications.ie/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/measuring-tape.jpg
I'm not in a position to do any comprehensive research regarding the distribution, but it's at least prevalent enough that I know of it.
Normally I would agree that they should be separate but after checking everything in measuring tape there is the following:
1 steel tape
6 retractable cloth tapes
56 tailor's tapes
so I'm inclined to agree with the alias.
I disagree with the alias, and would suggest the reverse. Going from online dictionary sources, such as wordnet and merriam-webster the primary word used is tape measure, not measuring tape.
The definition for tape measure by all of them pretty much follows: "measuring instrument consisting of a narrow strip (cloth or metal) marked in inches or centimeters and used for measuring lengths", with none registering measuring tape in their databases (even wikipedia uses Tape Measure over Measuring Tape). Also the wording indicates both the steel tape measure and the plastic/cloth tailor's tape measure both would be labeled a tape measure, as the only defining characteristic is that they're flexible strips used for measuring.
