It becomes constantly more necessary for chemists to harden their ears. Daily a
number of new ternary compounds are discovered, for which so far no rational
system of nomenclature is possible and for which name are invented form Latin
or Greek derived from one or other property of the compound without the
slightest regard for euphony. In the course of the past year science has been
enriched with the following ear-splitting names : Peucil /1/, Peucedanin /2/,
Pittakal /3/, Mercaptum, Mercaptan, Thialöl /1/. etc. It is very desirable that those
who make discoveries in science should not heap it up with cacophonies.
Berzelius. Jahresbericht (1835, 14, 334)
Chemistry and Industry Review Vol. II 1924
43 (8), 196-198, 22 Feb, 1924
T. S. Patterson
The Derivation of the Word " Mercaptan "
In: — The Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry
/1/ Not found Watt's Dictionary of Chemistry. 1901. Booth's, Encyclopedia of Chemistry. 1850. Google it!
/2/ Imperatorin. From the root of masterwort (Imperatoria ostruthium). Watt's.
/3/ /pittacal/ "Obtained by Reichenbach, by the action of baryata on a certain
portion of oil of tar." From the Greek- pitch - beautiful. Booth's. Google pittacal. hissingnoise - 28-4-2010 at 11:47
One man's music is another man's cacophony. . .
Euphony is only tympanum-deep. . .
And euphony is in the ear of the listener, etc. . .
One man's music is another man's cacophony. . .
Euphony is only tympanum-deep. . .
And euphony is in the ear of the listener, etc. . .
The Canadian journal of industry, science and art
Volume 1 1856
The Canadian Institute
Fipitzahoic Acid.
Under this barbarous title, Mr. Weld has described an acid obtained from a purgative Mexican root, called Raiz del Fipitzahuac Such a system of
nomenclature cannot be sufficiently deprecated; names of substances obtained from plants or animals should be derived from their scientific
denominations, or failing these, from some characteristic property of the bodies themselves. Chemical names are already sufficiently cacophonous
without the introduction of the Mexican or the Aztec. We may probably shortly be treated to a description of the " Fipitzahoate of the oxide of
“Ethvlinethylomylphenylammonium."
