Jack Halpern wrote:
>No "tricks" please, Alberto, since that word promotes the idea that we
>are circus perfomers or magicians (-:. (Actually, watching Jose Roman and
>Brett Bernard *does* create the impression that they are past sport and in
>the realm of magic ;->). Remember, the basic meaning of a trick is an act
>intended to *deceive*. It also means a *clever act* intended to entertain.
>It could create the wrong image in our promotion of unicycling as a sport
>(but of course it is also a circus art). Let's stick to skill.
My Webster's College Dictionary lists 23 numbered definitions for the
word *trick*.
1. a crafty or underhanded device, maneuver, or stratagem intended to
deceive or cheat; artifice; ruse; wile.
2. a roguish or mischievous act; practical joke; prank.
3. a clever or infenious device or expedient; adroit technique: "the tricks
of the trade."
4. the art or knack of doing something skillfully: "the trick of making
others laugh."
5. a clever or dexterous feat intended to entertain, amuse, etc.: "This bird
can do some amazing tricks."
Many of the other definitions refer to customers of ladies of the
evening, and "trick shoulders," etc.
What is my point? That I find the word *trick* to be acceptable in
informal discussions and email posts. The word is perfectly understood and
accurate among us riders, and is widely used in other sports, such as
freestyle skiing, skateboarding, BMX freestyle, and water skiing. HOWEVER,
in formal discussions, articles, or anything intended for exposure to the
non-riding public, I highly recommend the word *skill* be used instead of
*trick*. The same applies to other words and abbreviations we used, such as
unic, uni, UNICON, NUM, and others. What do you think?
John Foss, President
International Unicycling Federation
unifoss@cerfnet.com