Conn vs. Con — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 4, 2024
"Conn" refers to the act of directing a ship or its steering and command, while "con" is commonly used to describe a deceitful act or a swindle.
Difference Between Conn and Con
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Conn refers to the act of controlling or directing a ship's steering and movement, especially from a command area, while con represents a fraudulent scheme or action intended to deceive or cheat someone.
When discussing ships, the term "conn" is used to denote the exercise of authority over its navigation and operational commands. On the other hand, "con" is used more broadly in everyday language to refer to any sort of scam or fraudulent activity, from simple tricks to elaborate schemes.
Conn is a term used primarily in maritime contexts, indicating a specific and technical aspect of naval operations, whereas con has a much wider usage in various contexts relating to deceit in social, economic, and personal interactions.
Conn implies a level of expertise and responsibility in the maritime profession, emphasizing a role critical to safety and efficiency. In contrast, con carries negative connotations, generally associated with mistrust and unethical behavior.
Comparison Chart
Definition
The act of directing a ship or submarine, especially regarding its navigation.
A deceitful act intended to deceive someone for personal gain.
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Context of Use
Maritime and nautical settings.
Broadly used in various contexts including everyday language and criminal law.
Connotations
Technical and professional, associated with skill and authority.
Negative, associated with deceit and criminal activity.
Variants
Does not vary much in usage; very specific to navigation.
Has various forms, including scam, fraud, trickery, etc.
Etymology
Derived from the earlier naval term "conduct" or "conductor".
Derived from the word "confidence," as in a confidence trick.
Compare with Definitions
Conn
The act of controlling a ship's direction or navigation.
The captain took the conn as they entered the harbor.
Con
A deceitful act designed to cheat someone.
He fell victim to a con that cost him thousands.
Conn
The position or station from which a ship is steered.
He stood at the conn during the storm.
Con
To persuade someone to do or believe something by lying to them.
She conned him into buying a worthless piece of land.
Conn
A role involving the responsibility for a vessel’s navigation and safety.
The officer on conn has to be vigilant at all times.
Con
A scam or fraudulent scheme.
The email turned out to be a con to get her personal details.
Conn
To direct the steering mechanisms of a vessel.
She conned the boat through the narrow canal.
Con
A trick or ruse used to deceive or manipulate.
Using a clever con, he managed to evade the security checks.
Conn
The command actions associated with steering a ship.
With smooth precision, she conned the ship into the dock.
Con
An act of convincing someone to give up something of value.
The smooth talker coned them out of their savings.
Conn
Variant of con3.
Con
In opposition or disagreement; against
Debated the issue pro and con.
Conn
The duty of directing a ship, usually used with the verb to have or to take and accompanied by the article "the."
The officer of the deck has the conn of the vessel; the captain took the conn when she reached the bridge.
Con
An argument or opinion against something.
Conn
(transitive) To direct a ship; to superintend the steering of (a vessel); to watch the course of (a vessel) and direct the helmsman how to steer (especially through a channel, etc, rather than steer a compass direction).
The pilot conned the ship safely into the harbor.
Con
One who holds an opposing opinion or view.
Conn
See Con, to direct a ship.
Con
The area or structure on a vessel from which the vessel is conned.
Conn
Conduct or direct the steering of a ship or plane
Con
The position or authority of the officer conning a vessel.
Con
A swindle.
Con
A convict.
Con
To study, peruse, or examine carefully.
Con
To learn or commit to memory.
Con
To direct the steering or course of (a vessel).
Con
To swindle (a victim) by first winning the victim's confidence; dupe
A criminal who conned an unsuspecting tourist out of $5,000.
Con
To cause (someone) to do something by lying, misrepresentation, or trickery
My roommate conned me into washing the dishes.
Con
Of, relating to, or involving a swindle or fraud
A con artist.
A con job.
Con
(rare) To study or examine carefully, especially in order to gain knowledge of; to learn, or learn by heart.
Con
To know; understand; acknowledge.
Con
To trick or defraud, usually for personal gain.
Con
A disadvantage of something, especially when contrasted with its advantages (pros).
Pros and cons
Con
(slang) A convicted criminal, a convict.
Con
(informal) A fraud; something carried out with the intention of deceiving, usually for personal, often illegal, gain.
Con
(informal) An organized gathering, such as a convention, conference, or congress.
Con
(informal) The conversion of part of a building.
We're getting a loft con done next year.
Con
Consumption; pulmonary tuberculosis.
Con
Squirrel, particularly the red squirrel.
Con
A squirrel's nest.
Con
(abbreviation) A political conservative.
Own the cons
Con
Against the affirmative side; in opposition; on the negative side; - The antithesis of pro, and usually in connection with it. See Pro.
Con
To know; to understand; to acknowledge.
Of muses, Hobbinol, I con no skill.
They say they con to heaven the highway.
Con
To study in order to know; to peruse; to learn; to commit to memory; to regard studiously.
Fixedly did lookUpon the muddy waters which he connedAs if he had been reading in a book.
I did not come into Parliament to con my lesson.
Con
To conduct, or superintend the steering of (a vessel); to watch the course of (a vessel) and direct the helmsman how to steer.
Con
An argument opposed to a proposal
Con
A person serving a sentence in a jail or prison
Con
A swindle in which you cheat at gambling or persuade a person to buy worthless property
Con
Deprive of by deceit;
He swindled me out of my inheritance
She defrauded the customers who trusted her
The cashier gypped me when he gave me too little change
Con
Commit to memory; learn by heart;
Have you memorized your lines for the play yet?
Con
On the negative side;
Much was written pro and con
Common Curiosities
Is conn used outside of maritime contexts?
Conn is almost exclusively used in maritime and naval contexts, relating to ship navigation.
What are common types of cons?
Common types include phishing scams, pyramid schemes, and bait-and-switch advertising.
How can one identify a con?
A con can often be identified by promises that are too good to be true, high-pressure tactics, or requests for secrecy or quick decisions.
Can conn be delegated to someone else?
Yes, the duty of conn can be delegated to another officer or qualified individual on the ship.
What does it mean to have the conn?
Having the conn means being in charge of navigating or directing a ship.
What legal consequences exist for conducting a con?
Conducting a con can lead to criminal charges, including fraud and theft, depending on the severity and nature of the act.
What should one do if they suspect a con?
It's advisable to verify all details independently, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspicions to relevant authorities.
Are cons more prevalent in any specific areas or industries?
Cons are particularly prevalent in finance, online retail, and any area involving large transactions or investments.
Is expertise required to conn a ship?
Yes, expertise and specific knowledge in navigation and ship operations are required to conn a ship.
How is conn communicated among the ship’s crew?
Commands and information about the conn are typically communicated via intercoms, headsets, or directly in the navigation bridge.
Can anyone be trained to perform a con?
Theoretically, yes, but ethical considerations and the risk of legal repercussions make this inadvisable.
What historical figures are known for their cons?
Figures like Frank Abagnale and Charles Ponzi are notorious for their con activities.
Does conn require physical strength, or is it more about knowledge?
Conn is more about knowledge, understanding of navigation principles, and decision-making rather than physical strength.
How can one protect themselves from a con?
Being skeptical of unsolicited offers, educating oneself about common scams, and consulting trusted sources can help protect against cons.
Who can give orders when someone has the conn?
Typically, the captain has the ultimate authority, but the person with the conn has control over navigation unless overridden by higher authority.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
