Watch your language!

A few days ago I heard a BBC reporter talk about a "cement mixer". No...no...no!  This is an example of how common language can be misleading. It should be a concrete mixer. Cement is just one of the ingredients used to make concrete. The others are fine and coarse aggregates and water. This may look like I am being too prescriptive, but it is an occasion where using the right description is important for explaining what something does. Concrete mixers have been popular toys for many years. I only hope the parents told their children its correct name.

Photo credit: vectis.co.uk