C-Forum

canoeartist, can'er, etc...

just wondering...

From many years of exhaustive academic research, (I once used a dictionary,) I can report that "canoeist" is the correct term.

From many years of single-sticking, I can report that no one gives a rat's ash what you CALL it, as long as you DO it -- often, and regularly!

I dunno, but when I swim I'm a "can't".

We're the -ists, they're the -ers. Like art-ist vs paint-er

So what are you saying Scott? It's swimmer and canoeist. Except in my case (and maybe Louie's) where it is swimoeist!

Among his many works that involve river running, John McPhee wrote a neat essay called "Reading the River" which was published in The New Yorker in 1970, and was also included in a collection of his essays called "Pieces of the Frame" published in 1975. It was about the now long-defunct Petersburg Whitewater Weekend which were races held on the upper reaches of the Potomac in West Virginia in the 1960's and 1970's. In my humble opinion, that essay really captured the essence and appeal of whitewater canoeing.

In the essay, McPhee discusses how unusal it is for him to hear the participants call themselves "canoeists". Apparently, he was raised hearing that skilled boaters should always be referred to as "canoemen" and never "canoeists."

While I do not have a copy handy, my vague memory is that the classic passage went something like this (only much better written, of course): "They drop into eddies, stopping in mid-stream, then shoot out the other side with the grace and skill of a trout. They weave, bob and surf at will. They may call themselves, canoeists, but they are fantastic!"

Without question, the single sex nature of the "canoemen" title is not appropriate, but I did enjoy the elegance that McPhee's description conjured. Just wish I actually qualified for the title!!

I had no idea McPhee wrote on canoeing. The collection Annals of the Former World is all of my all time favorite books in one. A highly recommended read if you enjoy geology and storytelling.

I don't care what I am called canoeist, canoer, or dumba$$, just as long as it is not a kayaker.

Canoer, canoeist. Manure-er, manure-ist.

Canoeist, or according to strict grammar, Canoist which just looks wrong.

C-Boater has a good ring to it though, especially as I rarely manage to get out in a trad canoe these days.

Harrison is one of those word-people and he says canoeist.
He also tosses a phat throw-rope, so I have to go with his usage.

Worker, Laborer, Kayaker

Artist, Canoeist


to quote a friend

According to http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canoe

2 entries found.

1. 1canoe (noun)
2. 2canoe (verb)


Main Entry: 2canoe
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): ca·noed; ca·noe·ing
Date: 1794

transitive verb : to transport in a canoe; also : to travel by canoe down (a river)intransitive verb : to go or travel in a canoe

— ca·noe·able \-ə-bəl\ adjective

— ca·noe·ist \-ist\ noun

— ca·no·er \-ər\ noun



So I believe we can safely say, that it's quite possible for two canoemen in one canoe, to be a canoer and a canoeist at the same time.

SkeeterGuy86 wrote:Worker, Laborer, Kayaker

Artist, Canoeist


to quote a friend

And as this is an international web site.... we all know that boaters the whole wide world over, would rather be called canoiest.... than to call themselves a kayaker. And only in the land of the French Fry, do they designate themselves with such a lowly term.

HEAR HEAR

John McPhee- SURVIVAL OF THE BARK CANOE- great book and many outstanding examples of these boats reside in the Mariners Museum here in the Commonwealth of VA