Cosm(et)ology
I’ve mentioned before that in some parts of the world, cosmology is likely to be confused with cosmetology. I now think cosmologists are missing a trick, and should in fact be borrowing terms from the world of cosmetics.
I suggested on Twitter that the Dark Energy responsible for making the Universe expand more rapidly should henceforth be known as Volumiser, a term which could also apply to the scalar field that drives cosmic inflation. I do think, however, that it might be better to think of inflation as an anti-wrinkle agent, as it smooths away any primordial irregularities.
Anyway, esteemed Nobel laureate and even more esteemed wine producer Brian Schmidt offered this contribution to show that someone has already had the idea…
I’m sure Quintessence isn’t the only example of physics that’s entirely made up, and no doubt you’ll be offering your own suggestions through the comments box…
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In the Dark 
January 5, 2012 at 5:07 pm
So are we worth it?
January 5, 2012 at 6:29 pm
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m definitely not.
January 5, 2012 at 8:44 pm
Yes, the word κοσμητικός means “skilled in ornament”, while κόσμος can mean “order” or “ornament”. It’s a reminder that in Greek philosophy “cosmos” was the part of the world that was regular orderly and predictable, and opposite to “chaos”, a distinction that has been lost in modern use of the word cosmos.
January 5, 2012 at 9:53 pm
Is this post a reference to the problem of inflation in regard to the recent concerns about breast implants?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9671000/9671060.stm
Let me make clear that for reconstruction after cancer, I have every sympathy. For cosmetic reconstruction…
PS What you call ‘cosmology’ used to be called ‘physical cosmology’, because the word originally had a theological meaning.
January 7, 2012 at 4:03 pm
I think we may be about to have surgery: I’m sure people tell me we have entered the era of preincision cosmetology.
January 7, 2012 at 5:09 pm
Shurely it’s a typo for cometology, which is certainly part of astrophysics?