Many words have been introduced into the English
language over the last hundred years. Some because there is a need
to describe a new item or process which has been discovered. Some
examples are Karabiner, Piton and Wetsuit. On other occasions
a new word or group of words may be used to describe an action or new
sport. Examples which spring to mind are Chimneying, Cave Diving, Prusiking
and Abseiling. There are the words which are spelt differently, depending
which school you went to. A classic example would be Karabiner or
Carabiner. The need to formalise the spelling and exact definition was
recognized many years ago when the ASF first published in 1968 the Speleo
Handbook, edited by P. Matthews.
The 1985 Australian Karst Index added to this on-going
process with an excellent glossary of terms listed in section
14. The authors must be commended on such a comprehensive list
of definitions for words in use up to that period.
Currently there are a number of slang and colloquial
caving terms which have been used widely for many years. The exact
definition of these words remain open for interpretation, as there
appears to be no recent listing of their correct meaning. Hopefully
this following list will be thought provoking and set the wheels
in motion toward having some additional words officially recognized
in the Speleological fraternity.
ARMCHAIR CAVER An
experienced caver who is now incapable of caving or a person still
able to, but has lost the urge to actually go caving. On the other
hand they may spend much of their time writing or reading caving
books and hours may be spent reminiscing over photographs from
past trips.
BOOBTUBE A clear
flexible tube about one metre long. Used like a straw to drink
water from small crevices or inaccessible pools. The original
name was the Super Syphon Sucker, first utilised widely around
1973-74 by Jeffory Smith a Venturer Scout in the Kotara Unit (N.S.W).
Jeffory used it extensively on bushwalking, caving and cross-country
skiing trips and the use of such a tube spread widely among outdoor
enthusiasts from there. Several name changes occurred over the
next few years, however during the last 10 to 15 years the name
Boob Tube has been most widely used.
BOULDER CHOKE A collapse
of rock from floor to roof which makes further progress difficult
or dangerous.
FOUL AIR Cave
atmosphere containing a high concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2)
which affects a cavers respiration and metabolism. This term usually
refers to air which contains 1% CO2 (by volume) or greater. Simple
test:- A lighted match will go out if foul air is present.
GROT-HOLE A small
insignificant cave with no possible leads, often tight and difficult
to manoeuvre oneself in.
GROUND-TROG The
systematic search of the surface ground for cave entrances.
JUG-HANDLE A small
loop of rock shaped like a handle, used as an anchor point or
hand hold to aid climbing.
KRAB Short
for Karabiner. A steel or aluminium alloy snap-link used in rope
work.
MICROBOD A term
used to describe a child or an adult caver of small build - able
to fit through narrow passages and seemingly able to dislocate
their joints to negotiate tight corners.
OVERHANG A ledge
or shelf of rock which projects past the rest of the rock face
below. Also referred to as part of an abseil (either above or
below ground), where the abseiler is hanging free of the rock
face. This occurs once an abseiler has passed a projection of
rock which makes it impossible for the abseiler's feet to touch
the rock face without swinging on the rope.
ROOF-SNIFFING The
act of edging oneself along a small water-filled passage, on your
back with only sufficient airspace for eyes and nose. It should
be pointed out that this practice can be very dangerous for inexperienced
persons.
SCROGGIN An
edible random mixture of nuts, dried fruit, rice crisps, unwrapped
lollies, chocolate and edible seeds. The mixture is consumed by
cavers, bushwalkers and other outdoor enthusiasts as a source
of high energy food. It is made up to suit an individuals taste
and requirements.
TOURI A group
of tourists at a commercially developed caving area. In other
words those people who go on guided or self guided tours where
fixed lighting is provided to view the caves. "Stay out of
sight of the tourists (touri)", is often one of the conditions
attached to a caving permit, where the permit cave is in the close
vicinity of a commercial tour cave.
TROG-UP Attiring
oneself in suitable clothing and necessary equipment in readiness
to go underground.
To Comment: email the author at smith.garry.gk@bhp.com.au