Newbie

[Alan]

If form had followed function, there wouldn't have been a problem. When the Navy established this base, however, they simply used whatever they had on hand, without much consideration for the fact that they were building in Antarctica. Since then, that tradition has been discarded at times (thankfully), but not always. Rumor says that two of our most recent dormitories were originally intended for use in the Caribbean before being repurposed. Although they are only used in the summer, I've been told that the rooms tend to be cold.

As for the question: Carp is the American shorthand for Carpenter, and the old Carp shop at Pole actually had a Carp (an actual fish) hanging up as a sign. They could do that because it never gets warm enough to thaw out there. In the Commonwealth countries, they call carpenters Chippy - just as electricians (American and Commonwealth) are Sparky.

[DaveDivided]

I have a friend that was an electrical engineer for the navy when they were installing and testing the nuke! Some of his commentary was pretty frightening.

I do not recall ever being called a carp, I am a journeyman carp if you will, but that will not be my function in McTown. I am also a plant engineer so my work will have more to do with organization and logistics involved with construction and such.

I am assuming that you know what "Tin Knockers" are as well. That is something that I have also done back in my semi sordid past. This is all stuff that I occupied my time with when that biology degree didn't take!

Dave

[Alan]

Hmmm. I should clarify: "Carp" is the American-Antarctican term for "carpenter", and "carpenters" in the American Antarctic program tend to work with more than just wood. It's not uncommon to see carps with cutting torches or otherwise working with metal - though we also have the tin knockers, ironworkers, welders and so forth for more skilled labor involving metal. Our carps - especially the heavy carps - are sort of all-purpose construction workers.

The term "carp" is not commonly used in America. There are a number of other American Antarctican terms in use as well, that are not used by other English-speakers in Antarctica or in America.