[Tagging] Drain vs ditch

[Sergio Manzi]

Thank-you for confirming that, Mark.

Personally I think we, in OSM, should stop with this folly of overloading English words with meanings they do not have in *any *dictionary (be it AmE, BrE, CaE, or whatever).

Both the "ditch" and "drain" words *can *be used to describe certain features in English. The difference is essentially an etymological one, with one related to the *process *of excavation (dig -> ditch) and the other to the *function *of carrying liquids away (dry -> drain).

If we want to precisely map certain characteristics of a feature we should do it explicitly through a *correct data model* that takes into consideration the particular aspect we are trying to communicate. We want to communicate the information that a (small) waterway is lined with concrete? Just say that with an appropriate tag, like e.g. lined=*, or lining=*. We want to communicate the information that a (small) waterway is used to carry waste water away? Once again, let's say that with an appropriate tag, like e.g. usage=* (/please ignore if the specific tags I put in the examples are not of your liking: not the point here, let's discuss that later.../).

Arbitrarily overloading words with meanings they do not have in the common language is just a perfect way to Babel, that is a reduction in information.

Sergio


On 2019-02-02 09:22, Mark Wagner wrote:
> My copy of the Oxford English Dictionary has about a page of
> definitions for "ditch" and "drain", and not a hint that either of them
> needs to be lined.
>
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