When I began snorkelling back in the 1960s, diving gear tended to be named after creatures of the sea, e.g. "Sea Lion", or the air, e.g. "Rondine", Italian for "swallow". This nomenclature seemed sensible and appropriate at the time and I'm delighted that certain traditional manufacturers have continued the practice, e.g. the Alphaplastic company in Moscow calls its fins "Del'fin", the Russian for "dolphin".
Sometimes, in this twenty-first century, I wake up Rip van Winkle-like to discover that one model of fins is now called "Smoke on the Water", while one brand of wetsuit is named "Ghost". These names make me think I've lived too long. Stop the world - I want to get off!
What other silly or weird equipment names have you come across? Do such names make you want to buy the item, or do they put you off purchasing it? Can you think of more sensible and appropriate names to give items of gear?
Sometimes, in this twenty-first century, I wake up Rip van Winkle-like to discover that one model of fins is now called "Smoke on the Water", while one brand of wetsuit is named "Ghost". These names make me think I've lived too long. Stop the world - I want to get off!
What other silly or weird equipment names have you come across? Do such names make you want to buy the item, or do they put you off purchasing it? Can you think of more sensible and appropriate names to give items of gear?