Tsunami

[Moog]

It drives me insane, why are the BBC refering the large wave caused by last night's earthquake in Japan as a tidal wave? It's not tidal - it was caused by an earthquake! Is this more evidence of dumbing down or just poor research?

[pinus]

Tidal wave is generally regarded as a non-technical term, and is often defined as quote a huge destructive wave (especially one caused by an earthquake)

[Drewhound]

It's just the same as "centrifugal force", it doesn't exist but explains something that only seems to happen

[el duerino]

Dumbing down? Isn't it a kind of sushi?

[bluedolphin]

The Tsunami was only 0.5m not very large!!!!!!

[MrsCheeks]

ROFL So this was a bit like sying there is a vicious giant dog coming towards you, and it turns out to be a teeny little yorkshire terrier. can't get over the wave only being 50cm high!!! Thats the height of my KNEE!! people could have just stepped over it pmsl

[thewillow]

The media refers to anything as a tsunami. Too much alcohol - a tsunami of ale. Too many documents - a tsunami of paperwork.

[Quizmonster]

'Tsunami' actually translates from Japanese as 'harbour wave'. Surely that would have been no more accurate than 'tidal wave'.