Talk:cataphile

Cataphile

(copied from my talk page. --EncycloPetey 09:54, 1 May 2006 (UTC))

The term 'cataphile' refers to explorers of the Paris catacombs, specifically, and not explorers of other catacombs (if such explorers exist). For more info check out the wikipedia entry on the Paris catacombs, on cataphiles (in either French or English), and/or do a google search.

I did, and found this link [1] regarding a cataphile in Ukraine. --EncycloPetey 09:54, 1 May 2006 (UTC)

The Diggers are a group of urban explorers based in Russia. They are not cataphiles. The website seems to be the blog of a French cataphile (i.e. who once explored the catacombs of Paris) now doing urban exploration in the Ukraine. I maintain that even if he is using this term to refer to explorers of caves, catacombs, etc. in the Ukraine, this in incorrect. I have never heard the word cataphile used (in the time I've spent as an urban explorer and cataphile) to apply to anyone other than the explorers of the Paris catacombs. You can check out: [2] or [3] or [4]. [5] also has some info.

I will put this conversation on the entry's talk page then. --EncycloPetey 12:23, 4 May 2006 (UTC)

Also, though I am still not in agreement with you, I think a better compromise would be something closer to the French definition, which says (my probably inexact translation...):

1. An individual who secretly visits the ancient mines/catacombs beneath Paris.

2. (by extension) Any individual who visits underground mines/catacombs.

Other cites

The following sites also included mention of cataphile sense 1 at 21 Jun 06: [6], [7], and books.google claims that cataphile is used on the "restricted" page 177 of 2005: David L Pike, Subterranean Cities: The World Beneath Paris and London, 1800-1945. Enginear 00:12, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

I got this book from my library, but that word does not appear on page 177. --Connel MacKenzie T C 22:23, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

Is that a digitising error, ie is it on the 177th page from the front of the book, whatever [paper] page number that is? --Enginear 12:22, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

• 2005, David L. Pike, Subterranean Cities: The World Beneath Paris and London, 1800-1945 p. 177 - Caption of a picture on page 176 of a French cartoon: "...a Prussian zombie, and a Polish lamia, the Countess Norodna, in the Left Bank carrières (top and bottom frame right). The artist is a former cataphile, and the series is replete with subterranean history and folklore. The dialogue..."

--Connel MacKenzie T C 00:19, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Non-durable citations, moved out of the entry:

• 1998, Murray Battle, Paris Underground, from Infiltration 9, read on Infiltration's website at [8] on 21 June 2006 - I've just spent ten hours under Paris with a bunch of crazy cataphiles, drug dealers and extreme tourists.
• 2002, Christopher Ketcham, Spelunking the empire of death in Salon read on Salon Media Group's website at [9] on 21 June 2006 - Like all cataphiles, he goes by his cave-handle, his catanym: Lezard Peint translates as "the Painted Lizard".