SURVEYING GLOSSARY
A as in Angle and for Azimuth too, both are important and usually true; but so is Astronomic and Adjoiner too.
B as in Backsight and Bearing, names we should all know; like Brush,Bugs and Bites - always together go.
C as in Compass and Chain, over the hill we go; Calculate the Closure, fun - to this, the party Chief says no.
D as in Deeds and Distance, hand in hand they define; apply Dignity of call - let the Draftsman refine.
E as in Engineers and Easements, important names - I guess; then came the EDM, reduced our labor - now that’s real success.
F as in Foresight and Field notes are usually used to guide; whereas Field crew & Fire ants - together they ride.
G as in Ground shots & the Gunter's chain, a term we use no more; now GPS, Geodetic and GIS - new names in our store.
H as in Hammer and stake, together, they’ll always be; as necessary to a surveyor - as leaves to a tree.
I as in Instruments, important they are; they aid us in alignment and - guide by a star.
J as in the Jacob staff, more equipment from old; Judicial decisions, guide us now - at least that’s what we’re told.
K as in Keuffel & Esser, supplier in the past; another distance, the Kilometer - will we ever last?
L as in Links of old and Laser Levels new; Lietz then changed their name - but Lawyers still sue.
M as in Metes & bounds, will this term remain? The terms Machete and Measure - are always the same.
N as in Numeric, which means a Number, at least that part is true; even as a Meter - the units not new.
O as in “OUT”, a term uncommon now; Owners will forever attempt - to tell us how.
P as in Polaris and Plumb, terms which still remain; Pole & Perch, though unused - are always the same.
Q as in a Quit claim deed, it doesn’t give very much; but, it’s presence will sometimes “QUITE” a title - or at least help with such.
R as in Route & Right-of-way define, Residue & Riparian each, do much the same; a Rod, a Rock & Rodman too - now, just a name.
S as in Semicircumferter and the Sextant too, instruments of old; there is Satellite & Sun Shot, newer terms - at least that’s what we’re told.
T as in Transit, Theodolite & Tripod, more equipment from the past; Topography and Ticks, together, stick - like partners that last.
U as in Underground Utilities, a surveyor must sometimes find; even when you cannot see them - they should be on your mind.
V as in the Spanish Vara, defined as a Texas length; Vegetation, on the other hand - is measured by it’s strength.
W as in Warranty deed, a common legal name; a paper showing ownership - or title to the same.
X as in “X” out, mistakes made in your notes, never to erase; they may come back to haunt you, protection - just in case.
Y as for “Yes”, the answer, to questions you receive; “no”, is the best response - when you cannot believe.
Z as in Zeiss, equipment maker of old, Zenith is the angle in a vertical line; and is usually preceded - by a plus or minus sign.
Johnny Ingram, 2002
List of Subjects
Rhyme of the Day
Titles listed below are examples of subjects which have been prepared by museum curator Johnny Ingram. For a more complete list of this information contact the museum or request details during your visit.
Mr. Ingram has authored a substantial number of poems. The subject matter, cover a number of subjects and provide a sample of his view of the events. The list below, is a sample of this variety; they represent phases of life such as Youth, Middle Age and Senior reality. Included in the list are subjects which address the Land Surveying Profession, Living History, Family, Friends and other subjects.
Selected subjects will be periodically featured on this page. Below is a partial list of subjects we intend to share. Return to the web site and check the "Rhyme Of The Day", subject names are below.
Posted February 2, 2022
THE MUSEUM OF
MEASUREMENT AND TIME
WORDS OF RHYME
BY JOHNNY INGRAM
Museum Of Measurement And Time
We now call Jefferson Texas our home.
Since 1980, we've no reason to roam.
As personal collections continued to grow:
more space was needed, this we know.
So to a building on Polk Street, we went;
to house the collections and what they meant.
We feature items, from long ago;
and tell stories, of what we know.
Should your travels, bring you near;
you need to visit, since your here.
Time spent with us, bring memories which last.
We feature displays, from times long past.
A visit will fill a void and you may learn;
the stories you hear, is of our concern.
So when you have, a few minutes to spare;
plan a visit, just make sure we're there!
Johnny Ingram, April 2019
YOUTHFUL ENTHUSIASM MIDDLE AGE HOPE SENIOR REALITY Girls and Cars Hugs Reflections Choices Lets Talk Retirement
Friends Tax Process Conversation
A Scale of Ten Jury Service When Life is over
Fast Cars and Time Some Driving Fifty
Marriage Needs of Life
Companions Life is not a Race
LIVING HISTORY RELATIONSHIPS WORK RELATED
Small Town USA Grandparents Work
Collections Kinfolk Surveying Glossary
Museums Love Surveyors of Early Texas
Dueling Trains Man & Woman Texas - U.S. Boundary
Your Therapist Marriage SHS (Surveyors Historical Society)
Mind and Exercise Two Peas in a Pod TSPS (Texas Society of Professional Surveyors)
Thanks for Your Service Yourself TGLO (Texas General Land Office)
Should You Find a Coin Roots JHS (Jefferson Historical Seminar)
Men on Rushmore
Copyright © Museum of Measurement and Time.