The Devil's Pictionary

[davar55]

Originally Posted by only_human

Original Sin:
Sin(0)

Cool. Since sin(0) = 0,
this proves the contrary of most religious doctrine !

[only_human]

English Has a New Preposition, Because Internet

The word "because," in standard English usage, is a subordinating conjunction, which means that it connects two parts of a sentence in which one (the subordinate) explains the other. In that capacity, "because" has two distinct forms. It can be followed either by a finite clause (I'm reading this because [I saw it on the web]) or by a prepositional phrase (I'm reading this because [of the web]). These two forms are, traditionally, the only ones to which "because" lends itself.

I mention all that ... because language. Because evolution. Because there is another way to use "because." Linguists are calling it the "prepositional-because." Or the "because-noun."

You probably know it better, however, as explanation by way of Internet — explanation that maximizes efficiency and irony in equal measure. I'm late because YouTube. You're reading this because procrastination. As the linguist Stan Carey delightfully sums it up: "'Because' has become a preposition, because grammar."

So people can vote for a racist because politics.

[LaurV]

There is also a third form, that when 'because' is followed by nothing.
"Why did you do that?"
"Because".

[axn]

Originally Posted by LaurV

There is also a third form, that when 'because' is followed by nothing.
"Why did you do that?"
"Because".

Not really. There is an implicit "reasons" there. as in:

"Why did you do that?"
"Because reasons".

[only_human]

Bandwidth (n. biology): That pesky situation requiring a larger belt and looser pants.

[kladner]

randy: adj. sexuality: Ron Paul's son in college

[only_human]

Shall has a history of interpretations. wiki: shall and will

I'm not going to visit the OED or repeat "I shall drown" puzzles. Nor will I get into first and third person variances. The wiki says:

Shall is widely used in bureaucratic documents, especially documents written by lawyers. Due to heavy misuse, its meaning is vague and the US Government's Plain Language group advises writers not to use the word.

Today, the Supreme Court of the United States weighed in the meaning of shall.
Opinion analysis: Unanimous Court hands victory to veterans in contracting dispute

When Congress uses the word “shall,” it intends to create a mandatory obligation. That was the unanimous conclusion of the Supreme Court today in the case of Kingdomware Technologies, a Maryland-based company that provides web, software, and technology services. The issue before the Court was whether a federal law which provides that, as long as certain conditions are met, the Department of Veterans Affairs “shall award” contracts to small businesses owned by veterans applies every time the department awards contracts. The federal government had argued that the rule left some room for discretion, but today the Court rejected that argument. “Shall,” the Court emphasized, was meant as “a command.”

[Nick]

Nice to know that the U.S. Supreme Court has read RFC2119...

[only_human]

Originally Posted by Nick

Nice to know that the U.S. Supreme Court has read RFC2119...

And not even one comment from them on how wiggle room in the interpretation of shall would be detrimental in following the ten commandments.

[only_human]

Originally Posted by Nick

Nice to know that the U.S. Supreme Court has read RFC2119...

What's also nice to know is not only do RFCs have technical word definitions, Dictionary.com has technical RFC definitions:
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/rfc-1157

rfc 1157 in Technology
networking, standard
The RFC defining Simple Network Management Protocol.
(rfc:1157).
(1994-11-14)

Got to give those old folks sitting in robes on that law bench some credit; it took less than 20 years to catch up to RFC2119 using merely protein computers.

[ewmayer]

Originally Posted by only_human

English Has a New Preposition, Because Internet

So people can vote for a racist because politics.

So effectively a novel euphemism for "thanks to".

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Dire straights: A decidedly non-gay fellowship.