Vocabulary question

[bcipam]

I know how to shift. I just don't know which is called "down" and which is "up" shifting. Is it "down" shifting to make it easier for the wheels to go around, and "up" shifting when you have to work harder? This maybe the dumbest question yet in this thread!

Generally when someone says "down" they mean make it easier and "up" means harder - ie you shift up to sprint and down to climb.

And yes I started out way back when with down tube shifters. I will never go back to those! Ugh!