Maximal distinction

[aliothsan]

The 3 cat stances we have in Karate (up from 2) are called mame "short", mahame "regular", and hame "long". That's ridiculous and retarded. Why are they called such similar names when they're totally different and the distinction is important

Comments

[arujei]

It could be that they are trying to show that the 3 stances are part of there own grouping by having similiar names. Contrasting with basic stance, Mahame and jinzuki definitely don't sound the same.

[aliothsan]

They could do a hell of a lot better than three words with practically the same phonemes in them. There's two names for cat stance already - neko ashi dachi and shuto uke - there's PLENTY of namespace available, why restrict themselves to one tiny corner of it?