The more I come across construction jargon, the more baffled I become. In fact, while proofreading the last building survey I had to look up so many words that, in retrospect, I should have included a glossary.

A girder, not unlike a girdle, is a reinforcing agent; girdles are more uncomfortable, but I digress. The root of both, however, is gird. Merriam-Webster defines gird as:

(transitive verb) 1a : to encircle or bind with a flexible band (as a belt)

According to the Construction Dictionary, 9th Edition © 2001 published by the Greater Phoenix, Arizona Chapter #98 of the National Association of Women in Construction a girder is defined as follows: Continue reading →