Sun, Earth, and Moon

[nathanielbuildsatesseract]

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think that "Earth", "Sun", and "Moon" are kinda silly names for the natural bodies in the Solar System.

"Earth" I can live with, but "Moon"? That's ridiculous, there's hundreds of moons. Unless you're pointing it out in the sky, call ours Luna.

Similarly, the Sun is okay when we're talking about our Solar System or the star we can see in the daytime, but if other stars qua celestial bodies are part of the conversation we should say Sol.

It will be my official policy on this account to use "Terra", "Luna", and "Sol" whenever appropriate.

Comments

[sigmaleph]

In Spanish, as it happens, 'luna' and 'sol' are equally generic terms for moons and suns, so I wonder what Spanish speakers should call the specific instances. Selene and Helios?

[nathanielbuildsatesseract]

This question has plagued me for well over a decade. If I ever find myself writing about celestial bodies outside of English, I'll probably just defer to accepted usage in said language(s).