Semantics: Stable vs. Overstable

I always thought a stable disc was one that flies straight.

I always thought an overstable disc was one that has a tendency to turn left, RHBH.

I always thought an understable disc was one that has a tendency to turn right, RHBH.

 

I've seen a lot of people throw a disc RHBH that goes hard left, then come up with a comment like, "Man, that thing is super stable!" or "Man, that thing is ultra stable!" or "Man, that thing is extra stable!"

 

Am I the one that's confused or is it them?  If it turns hard left RHBH, shouldn't it be super-, ultra-, extra-OVERstable?  Doesn't what they're saying effectively mean that the disc flies super-, ultra-, extra-straight, which isn't true?

[jimbosprint]

Correct. The majority of people do not understand disc stability.

I only disagree that a more stable disc is "more straight". And saying stable when you mean straight is the cause of most people's confusion.

[Skipper H / Ripdiscgolf.com]

Yeah what Donny Said! Overstable on a RHBH goes left, Understable turns Right and Stable is down the center.

[Jim Coonradt]

Why is this thread still going? It is obvious that people use conflicting terminology. I will refer to a disc that goes perfectly straight as a stable disc and if someone doesn't like that they just shouldn't discuss discs with me. There is no consensus on this issue.

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[Andrew Sanders]

Mostly because I simply cannot drag myself away from an argument. I'm done now, though.

[Nick]

I think what people want, at least what I want, is not an argument but an authority on the subject to tell us how it is. At least that's why the thread was started. I really had no idea that there was this much disagreement on the subject. I was just trying to figure out if my thinking was correct. Turns out there is no correct. Just wish there was some unification. I've learned a lot, though, so that's pretty cool.

[Eric Day]

This is alot like the topic of "what does flippy mean" that was on here a few months back. Just as long as we all know that I'm right, everything is ok ;)