Brian K wrote:
> I've seen these two words used interchangeably. I looked up debarking.
> The only definitions I can find have to do with the removal of bark from
> a tree. There is a third vaguely diabolical meaning, it is to
> surgically remove the vocal chords from a dog. But what about the
> latter? The only definitions I can find for disembark mean 'to leave a
> ship' or 'to leave a vessel'.
>
> It's not really a major issue. However, it could be confusing for
> someone for whom English is a second language happening upon this
> group. They could mistakenly think that a cruise originating from the
> US winds up with passengers being pressed into labor removing bark from
> trees. Worse yet, they might think that the end of a cruise involves
> the ritual removing of a dogs ability to bark.
>
> I did check, there is no word for putting the bark back on a tree,
> unless some German speaking folk want to invent one. :-)
>
From dictionary.com citing American Heritage Dictionary:
de·bark (dĭ-bärk') Pronunciation Key
v. de·barked, de·bark·ing, de·barks
v. tr.
To unload, as from a ship or an airplane.
v. intr.
To disembark. |