h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm thinking that there is a cause of tides that has been overlooked. It would explain the water bulge on the side of the earth opposite the moon more effectively that the gravity differential theory. Has anyone evaluated the following mathematically?

While I agree that gravity is the primary cause, there is motion, inertia, and momentum also involved. Specifically, I'm interested in the inertial forces exerted on the earth caused by the zig zag it goes through on its orbital course around the sun. This is the motion caused by the moon-earth system acting like an off center dumbell spinning around its center of gravity. It is the center of gravity which travels nicely in a smooth circular/ eliptical path while the earth tracks a zig zag course. If you picture the earth as attached to a string at this center of gravity and swinging around it as it travels around the sun you can get an intuitive notion that the bulge of water on the side of the earth opposite the moon is caused by centrifugal force. To me, this is easier to accept than the notion that the earth is pulled in more than the ocean on the opposite side due to a "differential" in gravity.

Has anyone done the numbers on this?

Well, I'm embarrased and happy at the same time. I'm replying to my own question because I don't know how to edit my previous question. I searched further into cause of tides and found that my hypothesis on the centrifugal effect is correct and apparently well known. Every once in a while my intuition is right. Cheers!