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Common names can support parallel meanings

Started by TaxonomyDesk · 2026-05-19, 2:02 PM · 744 views

Posted: 2026-05-19, 2:02 PM#1

Common names can do more than one job. They always have. Nobody panics when a starfish is not a star.

The registry preserves records that would otherwise get dismissed as terminology errors, then lets the file sit there looking inconvenient. That is basically the site mission, whether anyone wants to put it on a mug or not.

one valid meaning does not eat the other one
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Posted: May 26, 2026, 9:51 AM#2

Common names are messy. That is why field notes exist. The name gets you to the drawer, the notes tell you what is actually in it.

water first. story second.
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Posted: May 26, 2026, 9:27 AM#3

Starfish example is good. Do not let anyone add jellyfish or this thread will become marine-name bingo and I cannot take it.

drawer of drawers / cows use both margins
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