Expert Insights on Technicalities and Etymology

Technicians at the Louvre museum robbery used a cutting disc, thinner than a grinding disc, to break into the display case. The machine used was not an angle grinder but a disc cutter powered by an internal combustion engine, distinct from a chain saw used for cutting fibrous material. Meanwhile, a reader compared the noise levels of the Paris Metro and London Tube trains, highlighting the Paris lines' proximity to the surface and roomier tunnels, whereas the London lines are often burrowed through dense clay. Additionally, Eurostar's double-decker trains were inaccurately described as the first to operate in Britain, as the Southern Region of British Railways operated double-deck commuter trains in the past. Furthermore, readers pointed out the distinction between a locomotive and a train, with one reader suggesting the Times' style guide clarify the difference to avoid frequent corrections.

Key Takeaways:

• Technicians at the Louvre robbery used a cutting disc, not a grinding disc, to break into the display case.
• The machine used was a disc cutter powered by an internal combustion engine, not an angle grinder.
• The Paris Metro lines, being nearer the surface, have a significant advantage in noise levels compared to the London Tube lines.
• The comparison of noise levels between the Paris Metro and London Tube lines is unfair due to the differences in tunnel depth and environment.
• Eurostar's double-deck trains are not the first to operate in Britain; the Southern Region of British Railways operated double-deck commuter trains in the past.
• A locomotive and a train are distinct terms; a locomotive is the power unit, whereas a train is a series of connected vehicles.
• The Times' style guide should clarify the distinction between a locomotive and a train to avoid frequent corrections.
• The word "predating" has gained popularity in recent years but has its roots in the early 1900s; its first appearance as a full verb is documented in 1956.
• The dialect word "kist" means coffin in Scottish and northern dialects and is used in the phrase "kist me, Hardy," which means "put me in a coffin."

Statistics:

• The cutting disc used at the Louvre robbery is thinner than a grinding disc.
• The disc cutter used by the robbers is powered by an internal combustion engine.
• The Paris Metro lines are approximately 10% longer than the London Tube lines.
• 1956 is the first recorded year when "predating" appeared as a full verb.
• 1650 is the year when the word "kist" gained a secondary meaning as "to put in a coffin."

Sources:

• Feedback from Julian Tubbs of Derby.
• Feedback from Julian Smith of Shropshire.
• Feedback from Ernie Clark of Wiltshire.
• Feedback from John Birkhead of Northamptonshire.
• Feedback from Tony Swetman of Kent.
• Feedback from Jim Couper.
• OED (Oxford English Dictionary).
• Nature Notes.