Common words and phrases that are impossible to realize

EdH · 2018-08-26, 17:16

This thread is intended to list many of the words and phrases that have become common, but are actually physically impossible to realize. It is, of course, based on my opinion. Criticism of that opinion is quite welcome.

As a first example for this thread, let's examine the term "preplan." I contend this to be quite impossible to realize because the instant you try, you are already planning.

As a second example, let's examine "half a slice of pie." Not possible, since, no matter how small the division, each is a full slice.

A limited search returned no matches to the above or thread in which to post. Feel free to move or delete this thread, if I have missed such.

rudy235 · 2018-08-26, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdH

This thread is intended to list many of the words and phrases that have become common, but are actually physically impossible to realize. It is, of course, based on my opinion. Criticism of that opinion is quite welcome.

As a first example for this thread, let's examine the term "preplan." I contend this to be quite impossible to realize because the instant you try, you are already planning.

As a second example, let's examine "half a slice of pie." Not possible, since, no matter how small the division, each is a full slice.

A limited search returned no matches to the above or thread in which to post. Feel free to move or delete this thread, if I have missed such.

i guess you should include go F&%* Yourself. (Pardon my French)

chalsall · 2018-08-26, 18:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudy235

i guess you should include go F&%* Yourself. (Pardon my French)

How about "They have their head so far up their own ass it's surprising they haven't collapsed into a singularity.

A great quote from the Alfred Bester character on Babylon 5: "Anatomically impossible Mr. Garibaldi. But you're welcome to try. Any time. Any where....

kladner · 2018-08-26, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalsall

How about "They have their head so far up their own ass it's surprising they haven't collapsed into a singularity.

A great quote from the Alfred Bester character on Babylon 5: "Anatomically impossible Mr. Garibaldi. But you're welcome to try. Any time. Any where....

ROFL

EdH · 2018-08-26, 18:59

I had not anticipated this direction of progression, but I would suggest that the replies so far might not fit "impossible" due to the anatomical variations within a human population of several billion that just might allow for such, excluding the singularity portion, of course.

retina · 2018-08-26, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdH

I had not anticipated this direction of progression, but I would suggest that the replies so far might not fit "impossible" due to the anatomical variations within a human population of several billion that just might allow for such, excluding the singularity portion, of course.

... and ones definition of "F&%*". It has other uses aside from sexual connotations.

chalsall · 2018-08-26, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by retina

... and ones definition of "F&%*". It has other uses aside from sexual connotations.

Indeed. Many Linux systems run a fsck job against the file systems to ensure sanity.

EdH · 2018-08-27, 01:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalsall

Indeed. Many Linux systems run a fsck job against the file systems to ensure sanity.

And, the first thing I thought was Fsck Yourself...

I actually considered post #2 as a direct comment back, as well as an addition to the list...

rudy235 · 2018-08-29, 06:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdH

And, the first thing I thought was Fsck Yourself...

I actually considered post #2 as a direct comment back, as well as an addition to the list...

NOT AT ALL. (when I want to insult someone I make it very clear and not mysterious)

xilman · 2018-08-29, 08:00

How does one clean a vacuum? A vacuum contains nothing but zero point energy and so can't become any cleaner. Accordingly a "vacuum cleaner" is impossible to realize.

rudy235 · 2018-08-29, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by xilman

How does one clean a vacuum? A vacuum contains nothing but zero point energy and so can't become any cleaner. Accordingly a "vacuum cleaner" is impossible to realize.

In this case vacuum is and adjective qualifying a noun.

2018-08-26, 17:16	#1
EdH "Ed Hall" Dec 2009 Adirondack Mtns EE9₁₆ Posts	Common words and phrases that are impossible to realize This thread is intended to list many of the words and phrases that have become common, but are actually physically impossible to realize. It is, of course, based on my opinion. Criticism of that opinion is quite welcome. As a first example for this thread, let's examine the term "preplan." I contend this to be quite impossible to realize because the instant you try, you are already planning. As a second example, let's examine "half a slice of pie." Not possible, since, no matter how small the division, each is a full slice. A limited search returned no matches to the above or thread in which to post. Feel free to move or delete this thread, if I have missed such.

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2018-08-26, 18:59	#5
EdH "Ed Hall" Dec 2009 Adirondack Mtns 11·347 Posts	I had not anticipated this direction of progression, but I would suggest that the replies so far might not fit "impossible" due to the anatomical variations within a human population of several billion that just might allow for such, excluding the singularity portion, of course.

2018-08-29, 08:00	#10
xilman Bamboozled! "𒉺𒌌𒇷𒆷𒀭" May 2003 Down not across 10,753 Posts	How does one clean a vacuum? A vacuum contains nothing but zero point energy and so can't become any cleaner. Accordingly a "vacuum cleaner" is impossible to realize.