Do you play any rules that use the word FACTION. If so have they used the term correctly ie "a smaller part of a group". So a rule set might have a viking crew arguing and splitting into factions of say, 7 men each. The factions then might fight for control of the longship. The Sioux might settle on to the reservation but a small faction might break away and go raiding. These would be fine.
I do not think slang etc is a problem as it still has a pretty clear meaning. It is when the word used is totally misleading.
The recent set of WW2 rules released states it covers Russian, German , British and US factions.
Of course grammar and spelling are difficult and I find this true for myself (praise the lord for spell checker). However should we try to correct terms that are way out? Shades f grey of course.
I would suggest calling "pistols" and "rifles", "light artillery" and "heavy artillery"? Maybe we could call mounted soldiers "calvary" or foot troops "peons".
Of course there may be good reasons why factions should catch on?
Next question is why call the spots on the D6 "PIPS" , is that not a Phil Barker invention that refers to "player initiative points"?
Martin,
I have to agree with you on the (mis)use of the word "faction". My guess is that it might be some rule writers' attempts to find a term that is neither "force" nor "army" to denote different "sides". or else a spin-off from some sci-fi games where different players' forces could nominally be on the same side [Space Marines?] but have decided to split off into what are indeed factions in that context. All somewhat confusing, and generally plain wrong (e.g. the US Cavalry were probably not long-lost cousins of the Apaches who had simply decided to go their own separate ways)!
However, I personally am comfortable with the term "pip" on dice. It makes me think of apple seeds etc: small dots. Indeed, Wikipedia suggests that "pip" in this context is in general use ["Pips are small but easily countable items. The term is used to describe the dots on dominoes and dice..."]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pip_(counting)
I would humbly suggest that Mr Barker may have chosen his acronym [as he was only talking about one die in DBA] to make a punning use of this term?
However, in general wargaming use it can be somewhat confusing: "score" is probably a better term!
Didn't know about the pip thing for dominoes etc , makes sense thanks!!
The faction thing seems to be very sci-fi based?
Yup, I think so: that and, as you point out, something of a mangling of the English language!
What's worse is those who call them fractions.
I agree - it's very divisive.
Looks like we have a common denominator in that regard then.
Quote from: Nick the Lemming on August 25, 2017, 01:23:26 PM
Looks like we have a common denominator in that regard then.
Very good!
Factions seem to be just another PC term where there are no winners or losers.
Can't use a term like this in PP rules as they are geared up to having winners and losers.
Pop in the Civil Service is a Personal Improvement Plan, it is something that your manager puts you on when they really want to punish you and let everyone know that you are being punished, but officially is described as a way to develop your knowledge and ability; even though everyone knows that is not actually true and you are being chastised for some usually spiteful reason that has more to do with your managers lack of ability than your own!
Factions. Is that like part of the British that broke away and became America, the American faction? The humans that colonize Mars become the Martian faction etc. I guess that any splitting of forces can result in factions, but then you could have factions within those factions.
Quote from: Nick the Lemming on August 25, 2017, 12:09:24 PM
What's worse is those who call them fractions.
Reminds me of an article in WI about Freikorps where they did that >:(
Now I know why Martin was grinding his teeth when my Cavalry faction won against the Mexican faction using pips from my lucky pink dice
I think I have found the source of "faction".. It is from Sci-fi computer games.
Language does change and adapt to real use use so maybe faction is correct. But my all time worse cringe worthy one is used here in US sports news is the phrase 'winningest'.
Makes me shudder when I hear someone use it. It just sounds awful and is just a lazy way of saying things.
There are all sorts of strange words in use nowadays it seems. When did soldiers become 'warfighters' and when did power cuts become 'outages.' Gosh even the spell checker recognises outage!