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Posted: 4/29/2014 12:07:46 PM EDT
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I know, I clicked on the "New Topic" button, but this is an old discussion. I was talking with my Wife earlier, and I unconsciously used the term, "Silencer" instead of "Suppressor". When we know what we are talking about, we often use the term "Can". So, here is my take on the terms:
"Silencer" - is a term coined AND TRADEMARKED by Hiram Percy Maxim (I assume... it was marketed that way anyhow). It is a trademarked term. The term, "Silencer" does not have a literal meaning. It does not create silence or suck all of the noise out of the gun. It is SERIOUSLY pretentious for people to 'correct' somebody when they use the TRADEMARKED & LEGAL (under the NFA) term. It is also the more common layman term for a suppressor. "Suppressor" - the industry standard, accepted term that deals with what we're talking about... but it does get a bit confusing just talking about NOISE suppressors when there are also flash suppressors. "Moderator" - kinda like this term, but it is not very common here in the US. Over in Europe, it was much more common, IIRC. It seems that whenever somebody uses the term IRL or on a board, there's always some language Nazi that jumps down their throat. This is a case when we're not talking about somebody being incorrect, they just aren't using a term you like. Like it or not, the term "Silencer" was not and should not be taken literally. Therefore, I don't generally correct people who use the term. I sometimes let them know that "Suppressor" is the more preferred term, but that is only true of OUR PEOPLE and we really don't have much of a leg to stand on when we argue that point. |
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I use them interchangeably on here and with people "in the know". I go out of my way to refer to them as "suppressors" or "sound suppressors" around people not "in the know". It's a non-issue, really. I do like the term "moderator". It's a very non-threatening, yet appropriately descriptive PC term for the masses.
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I just call mine by their proper name, oil filters. 
(In all seriousness, I probably use silencer/suppressor/can equally...usually "can" when I have to type it in a text or forum, "suppressor" when talking to people about them, and "silencer" when emailing ATF, Silencer Shop, NC Silencer, etc) |
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