Flipping the verge? Pitching the peat?

April 16, 2015 8:17 AM

We're embarking on the start of a significant earthworks project, and will be having an official "sod turning" ceremony for dignitaries and the like. The problem is, we hate the term "sod turning." Is there another, grander, more dignified term (groundbreaking is one, but still doesn't seem quite right) that the collective genius of the green can suggest? Google-fu is failing me.
posted by liquado to Work & Money (9 answers total)

‘Groundbreaking, also known as cutting, sod-cutting, turning the first sod or a sod-turning ceremony… ’ says Wikipedia. How about ‘Cutting the first turf’ or ‘turning the turf’ as alternatives?
posted by misteraitch at 8:32 AM on April 16, 2015 [2 favorites]

Earth-moving?
posted by Rock Steady at 8:34 AM on April 16, 2015

Best answer: Switch groundbreaking around I think and it makes the most sense, you're breaking ground.
posted by Carillon at 8:45 AM on April 16, 2015 [2 favorites]

"Groundbreaking" is kind of the industry standard term, and using almost anything else might sound odd or cause confusion. If you're open to invented terms, "Commencement of Excavation" could work.
posted by LionIndex at 9:01 AM on April 16, 2015

Earth shattering?
posted by This_Will_Be_Good at 9:01 AM on April 16, 2015

Excavation overture. Ear thplitting theremony. Worm turning. Under opening. Bigwig dig gig.
posted by bullatony at 9:36 AM on April 16, 2015

A large project I am involved in (with significant earthmoving involved) just had their "First Stone" ceremony.
posted by kiltedtaco at 9:51 AM on April 16, 2015

When in doubt, use latin: Terram divarication ceremony.
posted by Poldo at 10:09 AM on April 16, 2015

Best answer: It's not much of a change but "breaking ground" (as opposed to groundbreaking) has a more specific meaning and a bit less generic.
posted by doctor_negative at 10:25 AM on April 16, 2015