Hardwood & Softwood
I'm looking for an approx. date when hardwood was defined as wood from angisperms and softwood was defined as wood from conifers.
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The OED2 has a 1568 cite for "hardwood" that they include under the definition "the wood or timber of deciduous trees, as distinguished from that of pines and firs; in some localities spec. that of...
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Interesting. My question stems from the fact that blasa is deemed a hardwood. I am looking to see if hardwood was defined prior to it's discovery (or at least categorization.)
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It appears that balsa wood was little-known among English-speakers, at least, until after the deciduous=hardwood, coniferous=softwood convention was established. The first two cites in the OED2...
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My OAD list "ORIGIN early 17th cent.(denoting a kind of South American raft or fishing boat): from Spanish, raft." Thank you.
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Yew (a European softwood) is harder than a lot of hardwoods so I would guess that they might have known that the distinction was somewhat arbitrary prior to discovering balsa.
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"Hardwood" and "softwood" are originally joiner's terms, and have nothing to do with scientific classification. They are a convenient way for a non-scientist to distinguish between two broad...
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"Hardwood" and "softwood" are originally joiner's terms, and have nothing to do with scientific classification. They are a convenient way for a non-scientist to distinguish between two broad...
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Once again this site proved to be the best choice for my query. I appreciate all the detailed answers. Thank you.
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Just for the record, "balsa" in Spanish (the RAE says it's a "pre-Roman" word) has several meanings ("a pond" is one), including "a raft". Does anyone remember the incredible "Kon-Tiki" expedition? As...
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Not trying to dominate this thread here, but "rafting" is the untold story or the Urgeschichte of humanity. There's a recent documentary on the Vanuatu (formerly the New Hebrides) Islands off the East...
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Funny. It was my reading of Kon-Tiki on Wikipedia that led me to balsawood.
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Stinkwood (it does what it says on the tin) is one of the hardest woods I know of - stinkwood furniture weighs a ton. And, like yellowwood, is or was very expensive. Fascinating information, all of...
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It's a valuable link, ElizaD, particularly valuable for a translator because of the authority it carries.. Thank you.
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Quote:"Kon-Tiki" was built of balsa wood, naturally. I believe she is still on exhibition in Oslo. Yes, she is; there is a whole museum dedicated to Heyerdahl's explorations just a boat ride away from...
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