Etymology coming full circle
Today I learned that “govern” and “governor” come from the same root as “cybernetics”. Think of the ‘c’ originally being a ‘k’ sound, and then you’ve got the Greek root “kubernetes” (to govern). In Latin the velar ‘k’ sound became voiced, and you had “gubernator”, which was “govern” or “helm”, i.e. the spot on the ship where governing happens. Then in English the bilabial ‘b’ became a labiodental ‘v’ sound (these sounds are closely related - think of native Spanish speakers’ difficulty in differentiating the two), and you had “govern”. You can still see the Latin root in “gubernational” or “gubernatorial”.
Cybernetics is the science of “control systems in electronic and mechanical devices and the extent to which useful comparisons can be made between man-made and biological systems.” (Pulled off of TFD.)
All of this is a roundabout way of saying that Arnold Schwartzenegger is the Governor of California, aka the Governator because he played the Terminator, bringing us ALL THE WAY BACK TO CYBERNETICS.
I think about these things more often than I post about them.
Cybernetics is the science of “control systems in electronic and mechanical devices and the extent to which useful comparisons can be made between man-made and biological systems.” (Pulled off of TFD.)
All of this is a roundabout way of saying that Arnold Schwartzenegger is the Governor of California, aka the Governator because he played the Terminator, bringing us ALL THE WAY BACK TO CYBERNETICS.
I think about these things more often than I post about them.