In a message dated 9/9/1999, 8:02:30 AM, ddaily at u.washington.edu writes:
<< heavy duty nocs>>

Doug, you've done it. I always thought "binoculars" was about two syllables
too long, and "binos" sounded vaguely pachydermous. Now you've given me a
contraction that I understand completely. "Nocs" does just great, though, if
you're speaking in Vietnamese, you'll have to say "wocs" and everyone will be
looking for a hemispherical cooking pan.

Now, if only you could come up with shorthands for "prothonotary warbler" or
"pied billed grebe" or such like so people can see the bird you're calling
out rather than listening for the entire sixty syllable name........ ;-)

Michelle Blanchard
Littlerock, WA
MBlanchrd at aol.com