darkwing 5 #1 December 15, 2005 I think this is a reflection on my age, but it drives me crazy to hear people call a canopy a "chute." My brain equates the speaker with a whuffo. Are beginners being taught to use the word "chute"? I realize I should have searched the forum before bringing this up, but I didn't. I also realize that nobody cares. I know that freeflyers and belly flyers will have different strongly-held views on this topic. People who jump Vectors will disagree with people who jump Racers. -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,489 #2 December 15, 2005 I don't really think about it but I have noticed that since I started skydiving (2 years ago) I have never used the word chute. It is always either canopy or parachute. And I usually only use parachute when talking about my rig to whuffos.Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iwasinkheson68 0 #3 December 15, 2005 i care. i care way too much. i've not been around for long, but it really grates me when people say it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisamariewillbe 1 #4 December 15, 2005 I dont know if I do, Ill pay a bit more attention next convo I have.... even if I do I have come a long way from when I wrote in my diary about "and I got to help turn using the toggle thingys" when writing about my tandemSudsy Fist: i don't think i'd ever say this Sudsy Fist: but you're looking damn sudsydoable in this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KNewman 0 #5 December 15, 2005 I do Don't just look at my civilian jump numbers, I have been a military jumper for 22 years and that is the term we always use. Sort of stuck in my old fart ways Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dougiefresh 0 #6 December 15, 2005 Shortening words to nonsense bothers me almost as much as people saying "chute".Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harksaw 0 #7 December 15, 2005 I call it a parachute when i'm talking to whuffos. Less to explain.__________________________________________________ I started skydiving for the money and the chicks. Oh, wait. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmetz 0 #8 December 15, 2005 It depends entirely on who I'm talking to. Military speak=chute Skydiver speak=canopy Everyone else= whatever I think will get the point across the easiest. (I never pick the right term first though, it usually always takes some explaining)_________________________________________ "If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisamariewillbe 1 #9 December 15, 2005 I was on a tandem... lol I didnt have my FJC yet, Id never call it toggle thingys again....Sudsy Fist: i don't think i'd ever say this Sudsy Fist: but you're looking damn sudsydoable in this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmetz 0 #10 December 15, 2005 QuoteShortening words to nonsense bothers me almost as much as people saying "chute". Speaking of which...I don't mean to hijack or anything, but...how about the "word" wuffo? That's friggin asinine. The supposed derivation of the word is even more ridiculous. I'm gonna search first, but I think this deserves its own post._________________________________________ "If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisL 2 #11 December 15, 2005 par·a·chute n. 1. An apparatus used to retard free fall from an aircraft, consisting of a light canopy attached by cords to a harness and worn or stored folded until deployed in descent. 2. Any of various similar unpowered devices that are used for retarding free-speeding or free-falling motion. A canopy is a parachute by definition. Calling it a "chute" is perfectly acceptible whether I fly on my belly or freefly or jump a vector or dolphin. If it bothers you, then you can feel overjoyed that you live in a society in which you have the leisure to give a shit about something this meaningless __ My mighty steed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmetz 0 #12 December 15, 2005 Quotepar·a·chute n. 1. An apparatus used to retard free fall from an aircraft, consisting of a light canopy attached by cords to a harness and worn or stored folded until deployed in descent. 2. Any of various similar unpowered devices that are used for retarding free-speeding or free-falling motion. A canopy is a parachute by definition. Calling it a "chute" is perfectly acceptible whether I fly on my belly or freefly or jump a vector or dolphin. If it bothers you, then you can feel overjoyed that you live in a society in which you have the leisure to give a shit about something this meaningless Damn dude...is it raining where you are?_________________________________________ "If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisL 2 #13 December 15, 2005 Quote Damn dude...is it raining where you are? Nope. But I am between chutes at the moment __ My mighty steed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HydroGuy 0 #14 December 15, 2005 So should it really be pilot parachute as well?Get in - Get off - Get away....repeat as neccessary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveMO 0 #15 December 15, 2005 Good ol' Merriam-Webster seems to think it's alright Pronunciation: 'shüt Function: noun Etymology: French, from Old French, from cheoir to fall, from Latin cadere -- more at CHANCE 1 a : FALL b : a quick descent (as in a river) : RAPID 2 : an inclined plane, sloping channel, or passage down or through which things may pass : SLIDE 3 : PARACHUTE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #16 December 15, 2005 Do you say "Relative Work" or "RW"? Do you say "Main Parachute", or "Main"? I use "chute"...And with my 3600 jumps I don't think I can be considered a whuffo. Being 33 I don't think I am old either."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ripcord4 0 #17 December 15, 2005 I use chute as often as not. The central point here is that everyone knows what you mean by using chute. You have fulfilled the function of communication. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Praetorian 1 #18 December 15, 2005 I call mine "my main" usually or in general main have in the past and will again call them chutes sometimes bed sheet with strings one in a while I'll call my main "Bitch" usually during packing or a less then perfect opening Good Judgment comes from experience...a lot of experience comes from bad judgment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silverchic 0 #19 December 15, 2005 I also say chute...and I'd like to think I'm a step above a "whuffo" How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
teason 0 #20 December 16, 2005 Hmm, interesting observation. I find that it depends on the context. If I'm talking about flying or opening, I call it a canopy. If I'm talking about packing it's a chute. When was the last time you asked a packer/rigger how many canopys they packed on the weekend. Chute just sounds better. On the flipside saying "I opened my chute at 3000'" sounds really Whuffo. No one swoops a chute!I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,297 #21 December 16, 2005 I say, "chute" all the time. "Keith, wanna make a jump?" "Lemmee go get my chute." Or is it "shit?" I forget. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelel01 1 #22 December 16, 2005 I've already seen all the dissenting opinions here, but I have to agree with you. Maybe the reason it bothers me is because it's something Scott Lutz would say . . . but yes, it irks the hell out of me. But that's my problem . . . people can say whatever they want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyfreek 1 #23 December 16, 2005 who cares as long as you`re out jumping! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martini 0 #24 December 16, 2005 Shoot, just shoot 'em. Then shoot 'em down the chute. And shit on their chutes.Sometimes you eat the bear.............. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdog 0 #25 December 16, 2005 I call it a canopy... When I hear Chute, I think someone who is wuffo... Parachute is a-ok, but where I am from canopy is what the "real skydivers" call it, and a Chute is what the guys attached to the tandem instructors call it... Sometimes the context allows a "chute", but it has to be used just right, or else it sounds wrong... "Which chute should I buy" "My chute is hard to pack" Neither are good uses of the word... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites