On the way home from Calgary, Mike asked how much Timmies I had left in my cup. I replied, "It's half empty". And so began the age old debate of "Is it half full? Or half empty?". I was very quick to push my point of view.
If/when I am ever asked that question, my immediate response is a logical one, "How did the liquid get into the cup in the first place?". If the liquid was poured into the cup, then it is half full. If it was originally full, but some of the liquid was dumped out, then it's half empty. During the ten hour drive home, we had lots of time to fill with stupid arguments and so I continued to push this idea on Mike. I wanted him to admit that my logic was correct, even if he didn't agree with me. And that's when I made another logical discovery.
The term "half empty" itself is illogical. If something is empty, there is nothing in it, correct? And what is half of nothing? It's still nothing. I pointed out to Mike that the correct way to phrase the question would be, "Is it halfway to full? Or is it halfway to empty?'.
It was at this time that Mike pulled over to the side of the road, reached across my lap to open the passenger door and said, "This van is about to be halfway to empty if you don't shut the hell up".
Well played, Mike. Well played.
i agree - it's half empty!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Jyl - 2, Mike - 1.
ReplyDeleteI love winning :-)
Every time I read your blog, I wonder if your life is really this funny or if you are full of crap! So funny! I love it.
ReplyDeleteI don't joke around about my humour...it's very serious business :-)
ReplyDeleteHere's my arguement; It really depends on whether you consider the word "empty" a noun or a verb as it has an impact on how it is read. Empty as a noun, as you said means there is nothing there, therefore, yes, half empty is quite illogical, however, if we consider 'empty' as a verb, such as to empty then there is a bit more sense in saying half empty ( although technically it would be half emptied). the English language is a marvel.
ReplyDeleteIn order to be a noun, it would be the complete word as in, "Throw the empties away". In the case of "half empty", it is an adjective. Therefore, it remains an illogical statement.
ReplyDeleteAnd you spelled argument wronk.