# Is it wet? (Chandler wobble) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [December 7, 1999, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wet-chandler-wobble/378 "1999-12-07T15:58:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rvanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b9bd4f/32.png) [@rvanders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rvanders)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 1999, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wet-chandler-wobble/378/1 "1999-12-07T15:58:00Z")
While Cecil’s answer was quite correct, there is a tiny (actually miniscule) point that I must correct: The question to ask is not “Is Chandler Wobbling dampening?” but rather whether it is DAMPING. While it seems to be a tiny issue, to dampen something is to make it wet (therefore, a dampening field would be what you see in the shower) To damp is to dissipate energy (like when a spring, after bouncing back and forth, slows down and eventually stops) This has been a pet peeve of mine, but every time I see someone on Star Trek talking about a dampening field, I keep thinking that they must be really dirty in space to need so many showers! ---
**Author:** ![rvanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b9bd4f/32.png) [@rvanders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rvanders)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 1999, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wet-chandler-wobble/378/2 "1999-12-07T15:59:00Z")
Oops! I apologize: This post is a comment on Cecil’s explanation of Chandler Wobbling. I’m new to this BBS and I was not aware of the protocol for responses. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Perderabo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Perderabo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perderabo)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 1999, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wet-chandler-wobble/378/3 "1999-12-07T17:06:00Z")
Well, my dictionary, The Merriam Webster Dictionary, copyright 1994, says: dampen vb 1: to check or diminish in activity or vigor. 2: to make or become damp May I ask what source you are using? ---
**Author:** ![RM\_Mentock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@RM\_Mentock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RM_Mentock)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 1999, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wet-chandler-wobble/378/4 "1999-12-07T19:26:00Z")
Well, don’t blame Cecil, regardless of whether “dampen” is an acceptable usage. I spelled it that way in the question. If I had been more careful, I would have used “damp.” ---
**Author:** ![mr\_john](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@mr\_john](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr_john)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 1999, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wet-chandler-wobble/378/5 "1999-12-07T20:14:00Z")
You’re ALL all wet, including Chandler! ( Ever since he stopped writing and got into research he hasn’t been the same.)The earth is NOT wobbling she’s steady as a rock.It’s the universe that is wobbling. * * * “Pardon me while I have a strange interlude.”-Marx ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 1999, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wet-chandler-wobble/378/6 "1999-12-08T03:58:00Z")
And here’s the link to the column: [http://www.straightdope.com/columns/991203.html](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/991203.html) ---
**Author:** ![RobRoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ba0ec/32.png) [@RobRoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobRoy)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 1999, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wet-chandler-wobble/378/7 "1999-12-28T04:20:00Z")
Neither the earth NOR the universe wobbles - it is the mind that wobbles…