My Wiki 3 - Names In English

List of Names For Mechanical Pencils in the English Speaking World

C = common usage, U = uncommon, X = very rare or not used.

Click to enlarge table.

It's all just opinion, not science. Please feel free to comment on the above table, add in what you think are the correct ratings, etc. I would particularly appreciate comments on Ireland, South Africa, and other English speaking countries not on the table.

My Wiki 2 - Internationally Agreed Name

The WCO (World Customs Organization) maintains the detailed international Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) (often called the Harmonized System or Harmonized Tariff Schedule) which places mechanical pencils in chapter 9608.40 “Propelling or sliding pencils”.

The United Nations maintains the less detailed International Standard of Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC) which places mechanical pencils in class 3290 which is a broad class including
- manufacture of pens and pencils of all kinds whether or not mechanical
- manufacture of pencil leads

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) has published standard ISO 9177.1-1989 "Mechanical pencils - Part 1: Classification, dimensions, performance requirements and testing."

At a more country specific level:-

As required by international treaty, the United States Harmonized Tariff Schedule places mechanical pencils in 9608.40 “Propelling or sliding pencils (for example, mechanical pencils)”. The Harmonized System prohibits countries from renaming sections, but the US have added an explanatory example in their tariff schedule, thus propelling pencil, sliding pencil and mechanical pencil have official use as names in the USA.

On the other hand the US, Canadian and Mexican governments also use the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) which refers to “mechanical pencils” and “pencils, mechanical” in codes 339941 and 339942 but does not use the terms propelling pencil or sliding pencil anywhere.

In the United Kingdom, the UK Office for National Statistics uses UK SICS (UK Standard Industrial Classification) to classify industries and products. UK SICS is identical to the EUROSTAT System NACE at the four digit class level and the United Nations system ISIC at the two digit Divisional level. Similar to ISIC, in the broad class 32.99 we find
- manufacture of pens and pencils of all kinds whether or not mechanical
- manufacture of pencil leads

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the WCO is used by the vast majority of countries to control and classify the vast majority of internationally traded goods. It is used in tens of thousands, maybe even millions, of import / export shipping and customs documents every day around the world. I personally feel if there is one internationally recognized and accepted ‘correct’ term for mechanical pencils then, in English, it is “propelling and sliding pencils” despite the fact that common everyday usage disagrees.

My Wiki 1 - Definition

I have been thinking lately that I need to define some terms for the parts of mechanical pencils, types of mechanisms and so on. I had a look at Wikipedia and suddenly realised that neither they, nor I, had a decent definition of “mechanical pencil”, so I thought I had better start at the beginning. A definition of mechanical pencil turned out to be harder than I expected. Intuitively I feel that it is any pencil where the lead is not an integral part of the pencil, where the lead is free to move around but is held in position by some mechanism or part of the pencil body.

My Definition of Mechanical Pencil

Mechanical Pencil – (noun) A device for writing or drawing in which the solid marking core (usually graphite based and called ‘pencil lead’, but coloured pigments and other solid substances are also used) is not bonded to the outer casing, and is designed such that the core is to be extended as its point is worn away.

Notes for clarification for the purpose of this definition:

1. A mechanical pencil is a writing or drawing device, thus mechanical pencil-like items that have a core of cosmetic product, medical product, a metal pointer, etc and are intended primarily for non-writing or drawing purposes are not mechanical pencils.
2. Mechanical pencils have a solid marking core and are thus distinct from pens and other markers which use a liquid or semi-solid marking material. An eraser core is not a marking core and thus pencil-like items with such cores are not mechanical pencils.
3. Multi function pens and other combination implements may include a component that is of itself a mechanical pencil, and thus they are mechanical pencils, as well as being something else.
4. Pop-a-point pencils are not mechanical pencils as their lead is not extended as it is worn down, it is replaced by a whole new piece of lead.
   

Discussion:
I believe my definition would include the things we normally think of as mechanical pencils, plus leadholders / clutch pencils, but would exclude woodcase and similar ‘standard’ pencils. Things get tricky out on the edges – items that have the shape of a mechanical pencil but are loaded with cosmetic or medical product, wax marker, soapstone or chalk, etc. Are they mechanical pencils or not. Generally I tend to think no they aren’t, but it’s very debatable, and it's hard to define. Take a Staedtler 925 25 20 loaded with a stick of HB lead. It’s a mechanical pencil, no question about it. Now take the stick of HB lead out and replace it with a stick of “Tropical Seduction” eyeliner. Erase Staedtler from the body and print “ManTrap” on it instead. Is it still a mechanical pencil? (FYI, this example isn’t that far from reality)

(Thanks to the folk who have commented on earler drafts of this)

Ship-names

(This explanation supplied by said Viking)
Ship-name - A nickname given to a new member of a ship’s crew at the time he is enrolled.

The tradition has it’s origin in the Norse nicknaming tradition, which was until recently still a tradition in some parts of the Danish Navy. (Pilots in the Danish Air Force also have a “fly-name” in three letters used as their personal call sign. (MØL = Møller))

Ship-names can be divided roughly into eight categories: (1) physical characteristics, (2) habits, (3) temperament, (4) occupation, (5) place of origin, (6) biographical, (7) inherited nicknames, and (8) other. Studies of the nicknames of modern Icelanders seem to indicate that the first two types of nickname are the most prevalent.

Over the years, the naming tradition has changed from the eight categories into three: being (#5) place of origin and if several crewmembers are from the same area: (#1) physical characteristics and (#3) temperament. Another characteristic of modern nicknames is that they have to be short, i.e.: LYN from the area Lynæs, if the next person is from Lynæs too, he will be named Lyn-something, e.g. “LANGE LYN” if he is tall (the long lightning) etc.

For the record, Manuka Pooh is a category 8 “Other” ship-name, but with overtones of category 2.

test 3 - diary full res