[Woodcarver] Re: Carving or whittling

[Ivan Whillock Studio]

We remember from our English classes ("don't use ain't in formal speech") that the English language has both formal and informal terms for objects and activities.  In serious situations we are more likely to use the  formal term.  In more casual situations we will more often use the informal term: 
Policeman-cop
Physician-doctor
Clergyman-preacher
Father-dad
Mother-mom
Child-kid
Are not-ain't
Dancing--cutting the rug
Playing the piano--noodling around
Formal attire--glad rags
Dining--chowing down
Violin--fiddle
Carving--whittling

Thus a country fiddle player may just as skilled in his/her way as a concert violinist but prefers the informal term because the situation is more casual, or s/he has never had formal training.  A concert violinist may also casually refer to his/her instrument as a fiddle as a way to downplay the formality of the situation.    

The terms carving and whittling are used in a similar way.  Some who want their efforts to be taken seriously or who have had formal training may prefer the formal term.  Some are even upset when the informal term is used to describe them.  (We used the term whittling in an ad and got a phone call saying that the term demeans carving.) Others want their efforts to be taken more casually and prefer the term whittling.  Whittling also can be used to describe an informal process--casually removing wood with just a knife.  The formal and informal nature of the English language allows for those choices.  We don't need to label formal terms as "good" and informal terms as "bad."  The terms simply reflect the formality of the situation, or possibly how seriously a person wants to be taken. 
Ivan Whillock Studio
122 NE 1st Avenue
Faribault, MN 55021
Visit my website at
 http://www.whillock.com
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http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=ivancarve
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