Every once in a while — okay, every day — I find a sign that puzzles me. I like puzzles, mostly, but I also like answers. With that in mind, I’m posting four signs, hoping readers will enlighten me. First up:
Does this mean it’s okay to garbage somewhere else?
Another question for another sign-maker:
My first theory about this sign: a “pre-action” is a thought. But then I realized that thinking is itself an action. That put me in chicken-egg territory, wondering which came first, the pre-action or the thought about the pre-action. What do you think? (And while you’re thinking, are you pre-acting?)
One from a beauty salon:
Is there an analog perm? If I go digital, will I have fingers in my hair, and if so, whose?
Last query:
Is there an epidemic of cave-ins caused by sloppy posture? Or is “Do Not Lean” just mean? I’m leaning (pun intended) toward answering yes to the second question and no to the first, but I’m willing to be convinced otherwise.
Explanations welcome.
A pre-action control panel seems very 1984 or Minority Report to me. This panel will take control based on one’s pre-actions–nip crime in the bud!
Ah — never thought of that, but it makes sense. We’ve been in 1984-territory for quite a while now, so it fits nicely.
Regarding the digital perm, maybe you only get the perm in photos, not in real life.
Which would be the only way I’d ever get a perm!
I find that nothing drives my students interest better than when I seek their help in answering a question. It’s their chance to outsmart the teacher, no? Thanks for giving me something to ponder during the summer break.
Sign #1: Anyone facile enough to read garbage as a verb should know that garbaging there or anywhere else ruins the environment.
Sign #2: I say that the thought about the pre-action comes first, because it makes you think twice before releasing god-knows what.
Sign #3: Obviously, you’ll have the digital permist’s fingers in your hair, unless it’s her assistant.
Sign #4: Everyone should know that leaning there or anywhere else ruins your posture.
I love all these replies, but #2 made me laugh out loud. Thanks! I needed that!
From a Google search:
What is pre-action?
The system’s discharge is a two-step process: First, the innovative detection system identifies smoke or heat, which activates a pre-action valve that allows water to flow into piping and effectively creates a wet pipe sprinkler system. Second, individual sprinkler heads release to let water flow onto the fire.
So, it’s technical jargon, designed to be understood by those who have to understand and confuse everyone else. Very post-modern, no?
Hope you’re well,
Jeff
Ah, mystery solved. Thanks, Jeff! I hope you’re well also.
To explain the thought process a bit further:
A “pre-action system” is really a shortened phrase for “pre-action fire sprinkler system” and is a term understood by firefighters, fire alarm technicians, and building operators. The reason why it’s “pre-acting” is because by adding the pre-action valve into the system, you are inserting an additional action (smoke detection or a manual pull station) which must come before (“pre-“) the fire sprinklers themselves may “act” to deluge the space with water. This “pre-action” prevents water from accidentally spraying all over valuable items which may be stored in the room. However, installing such a system comes at an additional cost and complexity which most people and businesses are unwilling to bear.
“Pre-action” may be likened to the firearms terms “single-action” and “double-action.”
I hope this adds some additional insight into how this term came to be.
Thanks so much for clarifying the meaning of “pre-action.”