The following was written by Dolly Ziegler in a message posted to the "Sullivan Puzzle Team." It is republished here with the author's permission:
Hunters, Gatherers, Takers, Filchers, "Taking & Using"
What's the right word for people who publish other people's research on websites without giving credit?
I've heard them described as "gatherers" in contrast to "hunters," those of us who do actual research in actual records. But "gatherers" isn't quite right, because one of the rules for research is, learn what has already been done.
Maybe "takers" is a better word? "Filcher"?
Tom Lehrer wrote a delightful song, I don't remember the title but the theme is "Plagiarize." ... That's better suited to printed matter, a bit too strong a word for careless appropriation.
I realize some of these folks are "newbies" who don't know about giving credit where credit is due. ;-) Some are going to learn and be good researchers; maybe some are my cousins, so I don't want to be too harsh!
"Taking and using without permission" -- Police terminology was TUVWOOP, "taking and using vehicle without owner's permission." Pronounced tuv-woop.
Can you come up with a better term than "research filcher"?
(Cue, Tom Lehrer song in background.)
