Originally Posted by: dlwalkeAfter looking at more sources on the net (including reputable ones like music schools and such, not just random people), I think the inconsistencies make some of these terms nearly useless unless you are communicating with people you know and you all agree in advance, implicitly or otherwise, on how you are defining your terms.[/quote]

Sure, but that's true of any set of concepts. :)

I'm sure there are people or sources that might claim differently. But in my working experience the list I gave you is the most commonly accepted & widely used.

[quote=dlwalke]If I were actually trying to communicate something to someone, I think that the safest approach would be to refer to the actual numbers or the "ands." Like, "toot that horn on the 1 and 3's" or "I'm gonna stroke this washboard on the 'ands'."

Absolutely. And, of course, using standard music notation makes it crystal clear & precise.