How to not sound juvenile when talking about Pyrotechnics

[General Grim]

When many people ask questions or talk about pyrotechnics it's almost like speaking another language; you speak the language in your accent, making it obvious that you're inexperienced in the subject. As first impressions count, it's often that people are more inclined to help you if you are able to use some basic pyrotechnical terms. I'm going to present to you a few basic phrases that should hopefully help you in the future:

1. Chemicals > Ingredients

You should never refer to chemicals as "ingredients", pyrotechnics is not cooking. If it's something which technically isn't classed as a chemical (such as charcoal) then refer to is as a substance.

2. Compositions > Recipes

The word "recipe" is often used to refer to a composition, do not use the term recipe as it's a technically incorrect word. If you want to save on time then you may refer to it by the shortened term: "comp".

3. Black Powder > Gun powder

Gun powder refers to any composition that can be used in guns, black powder is technically "gun powder" too. In pyrotechnics you almost always use black powder due it its relative ease of manufacture and stability, never use the term gun powder. Another shortened term for black powder is "BP".

4. Explosives > Bombs < Salutes

Definitions-
Explosive: A chemical that causes a sudden, almost instantaneous release of pressure, gas, and heat when subjected to sudden shock, pressure, or high temperature.
Bomb: Weapons utilizing explosives to cause damage and harm via pressure wave, heat, shrapnel or other methods/effects.
Salute: A generic term used to describe a pyrotechnical device which its primary function is to cause a loud report- normally accompanied by a bright flash and smoke discharge. i.e: "firecracker"

If your post contains the word "bomb" then it doesn't count as pyrotechnics.

5. Amateur Pyrotechnician > Pyro

You should always refer to yourself as an amateur pyrotechnician, or pyrotechnician, never a "pyro". "Pyro" is a Greek word (more specifically "Pyr") which translates as "fire", therefore you practise "fire" technics and you're a "fire" technician. You are not a "fire".

Remember these, it's only five of the most common mistakes.

-By General Dim/Grammar/Gay/Any other name I've been called.

[Slathe]

Doubt any one will actually take it to heart less they intend on practicing actual pyrotechnics and not just trying to construct a random type of IED.

[Jatlantis]

Serious issues will be taken seriously by those of us who actually want to learn at least.

Thanks for the writeup, General.

[Core Entropy]

Thanks grim i know when i first came i used the wrong terms a lot but now i dont, still nice write up.

[X-ray Cat]

I think that by "recipe" you'd be referring to a synthesis prescription which is pretty close to cooking actually haha. I actually think a good cheff would make a pretty good pyro.. Pyro is just an abreviation for pyrotechnician or would refer to someone that gets a real kick out of anything that has to do with fire. Using the right slang is more about trying to project yourself as a cool guy than it has to do with knowledge.. Therefor it cant be that important.

[Corporal Punishment]

no.

pyro is an abbreviation of pyromaniac

I am a cook and let me tell you...it's not like cooking.

[X-ray Cat]

Anything that starts with the word pyro-

technician
maniac
fobic

could be abbreviated as pyro. When in context it should be clear (on this forum for instance) that the person talking is NOT someone that gets its pleasure through forfilling the need of lighting buildings.. Whenever I cook I find the experience kinda similar to cookin up explosives. Instead of letting stuf sit in boiling water for a certain amount of time, you do let it sit in acid or base. Not that much of a difference. Plus stirring is with aswel cooking as with preparing explosive very often of great essence. Chopping up veggies can be compared to increasing surface of precursor etc etc. It's probably a personal thing then, but i find it pretty comparable to cooking, lol

[General Grim]

Then you clearly cannot cook very well. Pyrotechnics is nothing like cooking. Secondly, "pyrotechnician" should never be abbreviated to just "pyro". It sounds juvenile, therefore it's included in this list.

[X-ray Cat]

Could you guys stop attacking every statement that is made so furiously? I just made some comparisons between cooking and preparing an explosive, in that way it has similarities.. that is all i said. If you disaggree feel free, don't say i'm wrong, say you don't aggree. That just happen to be your way of thinking.

[Corporal Punishment]

where did we say the word "wrong"?

you cannot infer our meaning? we don't have to say "disagree" to disagree

[X-ray Cat]

"Pyrotechnics is nothing like cooking" is what i refer to

Every single statement by you guys is not productive, solely atacking

[Corporal Punishment]

is that not me disagreeing?

come to think of it...to disagree IS to say someone is wrong.

both our points are moot

[X-ray Cat]

Plus stating i'm a bad cook "Then you clearly cannot cook very well" is a very blunt, stupid, and most of all a not very friendly remark by someone who has known me for about 3 posts.. Bit subjective don't you think?

[LizzyReikoZ]

Cooking takes like no skill... pyrotechnics takes care and knowledge of the processes and chemicals used, or you'll end up losing a finger/hand/arm or dying.

[Corporal Punishment]

......................how does cooking take no skill when they have international schools dedicated to teaching the culinary ARTS. What have YOU ever cooked that DIDN'T include the microwave?

until you can Julianne an onion in 30 seconds WITHOUT cutting a fingertip off... refrain from posting any where I'll read it.

you are the possibly the most ignorant kid I have ever run across

[quizsalt]

can we please try to stay on topic i hate reading threads that turn into an argument. people come here to learn and share knowledge, not to fight.

[X-ray Cat]

Originally Posted by Corporal Punishment

What have YOU ever cooked that DIDN'T include the microwave?

LLOOOOOLLL!! hehehe

So fun to see that my little comparison loosened up so many emotions here, hahaha..

[frogsgomoo]

Very smart idea man

Or speak in past tense like writing a chemistry lab, it become a habit after a while.

[jrly]

General Grim this is pointless knit picking. Using proper vocabulary isn't really help anyone unless they plan on going on and doing actual chemistry. The only worthwhile point, to me at least, is the pyro one which could change the emphasize from people just like to start fires compared to people who like to make explosives. And also maybe the gun powder/black powder but hopefully people should know that already. And recipe is technically correct because a recipe is: "a set of instructions for making something from various ingredients"

[-inefficiency-]

This thread might be more useful:

Dictionary

[General Grim]

General Grim this is pointless knit picking. Using proper vocabulary isn't really help anyone unless they plan on going on and doing actual chemistry. The only worthwhile point, to me at least, is the pyro one which could change the emphasize from people just like to start fires compared to people who like to make explosives. And also maybe the gun powder/black powder but hopefully people should know that already. And recipe is technically correct because a recipe is: "a set of instructions for making something from various ingredients"

In the same way that txt talk isn't liked, incorrect terms isn't liked by pyrotechnicians. Also, fuck technicalities, "recipe" is wrong.

[Timm]

Shit i'm just about afraid to jump in this one, getting pretty hot! Seems to me that what Gen. Grim is so adamantly opposed to in this forum is ignorance in pyrotechnics, because its annoying second, and dangerous first!

Also I feel that there is quite a difference between mixing comps and synthing HE's, those who are good cooks know how their minds race with reminders and details and perfect timing to add ingredients and such, heating and allowing to cool at the right times, on and on.. with the confidence that prior knowledge and experience provide. A mindset that synthesis requires and at times demands.

Pizza, excellent and enjoyed by most, cannot be made by mixing tomatoes and wheat flour and pepperoni, olive oil, milk, rennet, salt and brine.. No? One must make the precursors or obtain them, then proceed in a certain manner. If you couldn't make a dough rise for the life of you, any good cook will know you're a shitty one after about two minutes or four questions. We've all seen the analogy played out on here.. However if you throw all that shit mixed up in the oven it will just look nasty and suck, as opposed to possibly blow up, wherein lies the crucial discrepancy!

Also I have a feeling that Gen. Grim is contacted over and over by kids who know they want to blow something up and not much else, the art totally lost on them and the science mostly so. Surely it gets old to get text-esque messages askin him to teach them everything and oh yeah what is/where do i get acetone?

[Vallen]

......what the fuck.
this isn't a cooking forum.
people that say they are "pyros" are little kids that throw lighter fluid everywhere.