Re: [PATCH] hfsplus: Correct user visible printk

Frans Pop
2008-05-02T15:43:05Z

On Friday 02 May 2008, Alan Cox wrote:
> > BTW, what is common spelling in the kernel British or American English?
>
> It varies. The fs journal code uses both at random sometimes mixed in the
> same paragraph. Fortunately "to journalise" is valid in both US and UK
> English.

Well, my spellchecker rejects the -se but recognizes the -ze. It also has no
problems with journaled.

> > journaled: 134,000 hits ( 8.7% of above total)
>
> Almost entirely caused by Linux.

Sure. But that only proves my point: once something has been accepted as
common language and a term, however technically wrong, is recognized to
stand for something by the majority of existing users, it is probably wrong
to change it. After all, language is a living and evolving thing. This is
exactly how new words, terms and simplifications are introduced.

Google clearly shows that journaled is the accepted, and thus preferred
term. Maybe if you'd proposed this patch (and others everywhere else
journaled has been used) 5 years ago you'd been right. At this stage I
think a change would only confuse.

Cheers,
FJP