Originally Posted by
Kuromori
Calling that desmodromic seems like a real stretch to me, to make something commonplace sound exotic. Really the only place I’ve heard the term used is engine valves(and trying to make something pedestrian seem exotic). Would you really call window blinds desmodromic because there’s one cord to open then and another to close them?
edit: After doing a little more research French people really like the word desmodromique, it is not common in English language patents though. Nor does it seem to imply the Wikipedia definition at the top that says different controls for different directions. It just means no float or springs to prevent float.
You could say this about any technical/engineering term. The purpose of having a word for it is so that you don't have to say "A mechanical system actuated by a different controller for each state" every time you want to refer to it.
It's nice to be able to say "threadless headset" instead of "A steering bearing system that uses a compression cap and clamp to adjust bearing preload rather than a threaded nut".