On 2/22/21 6:12 PM, bernard cleyet via Phys-l wrote:
I suppose nearly universally voltage,
Yes, nearly universal, for good reason.
Note that something with /dimensions/ of voltage is not necessarily
measured in "units" of volts.
Units of μV, mV, and kV are very commonly used for voltage.
The idea applies to acreage, mileage, and tonnage.
Voltage is particularly important, because (unlike acreage) there are
no convenient synonyms. In particular, I strongly disapprove of
"potential difference" because very often the E-field has a curl, so
it cannot be the gradient of any potential. There is a perfectly
fine /voltage/ difference along any particular path, but it is not a
"potential" difference.
There are at least two kinds of mileage, one of which has dimensions
of distance, but need not be measured in miles (although it could be)
... while the other has dimensions of distance per unit fuel, so it
cannot possibly be measured in units of miles, and in Canada is
measured in SI units.
English is famous for the free coinage of new words.
The -age suffix is particularly productive.