The ARROW Homepage

Dedicated To The Pursuit Of Technologically Advanced Nomenclature

This all began over a discussion about what to call these little buttons.


You see, they are used in a certain software program to change the numbers located next to them. This, in turn, would allocate certain parameters within the program itself. Now, unsure if there was an official title given to these doohickies, I took it upon myself to adopt them. The name I gave them was simple, yet elegant. Unobtrusive, yet functional. I called them   Up and Down Arrows
Little did I realize what a debate I would spark. How could such innocent looking, harmless, innocuous, little things, such as these, cause so much trouble. Should they be shunned because of a name? What is a name? It's just a bunch of letters thrown together in a random order as to make an audible sound when spoken. Webster's Dictionary calls a name : a word or phrase that constitutes the distinctive designation of a person or thing. Nowhere does it say that all must approve. I don't see hoards of people milling about outside of hospitals, protesting a newborn baby's name. (Although where were those people when Bruce Willis and Demi Moore were naming their's. Scout? Rumer? Please.)

So, it is because of this that I take up this cause. Below is a listing of suggested names for my progeny. Some by me, others by helpful associates. Either way, I believe that this should, once and for all, put this discussion to rest. 

By the way, upon further investigation, I have discovered what I will be referring to these arrows by. It seems that MicroSoft, within their control panel window, uses these arrows to set the time and date setting. In a search of the help menu I came across the name
Up and Down Arrows
Well, if it's good enough for "Uncle Bill", it's good enough for me. Who am I to argue with the leader of the free world (almost)?
Terminology Some of the following have been made into acronyms for ease of publication (just figure them out if you dare)

Up and Down Arrows (we already know about this)	Elevator Buttons (we all know this ain't it)
Geometrical Enumerators	Geometrical Numerical Selectors
Clicky Things	Formal Analytical Ruled Transition Sequencers
Equilateral Unit Differentiator	java.lang.class.widgets.arrows.up_and_down
Twisted Madonna Bra	Pyramidial Integer Sequence Selectors
Digit Transmographiers	"Those Things"
Formulation and Gradiation Selectors	Vertically Opposed On-screen Linear Integer Differentiators
Isoceles Polygon Variable Incrementors	Triangulated Integer Transition Sequencers
Digitally Implemented Calculation Kinetic Sequencers	Pointy Buttons

What follows are some other arrows that may have fallen by the wayside. These are the adopted siblings of the Up and Downs

This is the "Mime" Arrow (It's trapped in a box)	This is the "Thing" Arrow (Uncle Fester's Favorite)
This is the 70's Arrow (cool dude)	This is the Blowing in the Wind Arrow
This is the "Doesn't Know if it's Coming or Going" Arrow	This is the Dizzy Arrow (for obvious reasons)
This is the In or Out Arrow	This is the same arrow, but for left-handers
This is the Rude Arrow (it points)	This is the same arrow, but for the color-blind
This is the Siskle and Ebert Arrow	This is the Up Arrow (from the famous Up and Down Arrows) on drugs

  I hope you all enjoyed this little trip through the history of arrow nomenclature. 
Please come again, and don't forget to tip your waitresses. 
For more geometric nonsense, visit the Official Octothorp HomePage
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