What is the definition of "kand"?

January 28, 2013 7:49 PM

What, exactly, is meant when referring to a "kand position"?

Thanks to this post, I've been reading through the Arcata Police Log, and I've been stumped as to what they're referring to by "kand position":

9:29 p.m. A vehicle with an “Oversize Load” sign on the back couldn’t maintain a kand position while headed westbound on Samoa Boulevard.

I'm assuming this means the vehicle wasn't either able to remain upright or on a straight course, but because I'd never encountered the word "kand" before, I tried to look it up and discovered there's no real definition. But this word had to come from somewhere, right?

I know the Arcata Police Log likes to play with words (which is why it's so fun), but this has been driving me crazy and I was hoping the logophiles of MeFi could point me to another usage.

posted by paisley sheep to Writing & Language (7 answers total)

"känd position" means "known position" in Swedish. Is it possible the vehicle was a subatomic particle and a Swedish police officer was trying to determine its location while knowing its velocity?

Seriously, maybe it's a typo for "kind position"? As in, a position that would allow passing? The log doesn't note whether the vehicle itself was oversize or was just carrying an "Oversize Load" sign, as a pickup truck that follows and oversize load would. Maybe a "kand position" has to do with staying in proper formation with the oversize load?
posted by WasabiFlux at 7:58 PM on January 28, 2013

Is this term used repeatedly? If not, then I suspect it is a typo.
posted by two lights above the sea at 8:03 PM on January 28, 2013

Best answer: I am guessing that's a typo for "lane." K is next to L. D is right below E.
posted by erst at 8:13 PM on January 28, 2013 [4 favorites]

Leave a comment. The dude always responds within a couple of days to comments. I think erst has it, though.

I love the Police Log. I know it can be classist and ableist, which I don't love, but the way the writer uses mock-Dickensian, orotund prose to describe minor criminal activity and scuffles is delightful.
posted by Sidhedevil at 8:23 PM on January 28, 2013

Response by poster: Thanks everyone! At least I know it isn't some obvious word that I'd somehow missed experiencing before.

Also, Sidhedevil, I actually just sent off a message to Kevin, figuring the original source might be the best way to get a definitive answer. (But not without feeling a little ridiculous asking in the first place.)
posted by paisley sheep at 8:27 PM on January 28, 2013

Response by poster: Yay! Got a (lovely, and just as entertaining as you might imagine) response back from Kevin.

Officially, it is a typo. But realistically, I believe we've coined a new phrase.
posted by paisley sheep at 9:08 PM on January 28, 2013 [1 favorite]

First, be smart from the very beginning. It's not kand, it is ' and d', for kill and dispose, or killing and disposal.

Obviously, you want to maintain a position where you can both kill and dispose of the body, because just doing one or the other will land you in serious trouble. Probably why he got the ticket, not having his k and d ready to go. Should have called scarabic and Cold Chef. ;)
posted by misha at 1:00 AM on January 29, 2013