Shirt.Woot

Everyone has heard stupid sayings, you know what people are trying to say, but what they are actually saying is irrelevant to what they mean.

For example

Blood is thicker than water.

I think perhaps the term viscous might be better, but that is another matter,

An example of a few other things more viscous than water:
Molasses
HFCS
diarrhea

Viscous.

*snicker*

Umm...

Don't bite the hand that feeds you. ?

Mavyn wrote:*snicker*

Umm...

Don't bite the hand that feeds you. ?

That one makes some sense.

j5 wrote:Viscous.

That might make a bit more sense. :P

FenStar wrote:That one makes some sense.

They both make sense. I don't see what the issue is.

j5 wrote:They both make sense. I don't see what the issue is.

I agree, because we understand what they mean. I think Fen is trying to get at the more scientifically correct term, although the thickness of a liquid (especially in cooking) is common usage and correct.

How about a pair that contradict.

Cleanliness is next to godliness

God made dirt, dirt don't hurt

An eye for an eye

Turn the other cheek

What goes around, comes around.

When I first heard that a few years ago, I actually had to think about it

FenStar wrote:

diarrhea

apparently Fen's never had cholera.

or a colonoscopy

You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

Bleh.

You can catch even more with feces. So what does that really matter?

abitterwoman wrote:You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

Bleh.

You can catch even more with feces. So what does that really matter?

it means you can be nice and win favor
you can BS and win favor
but being a dik...not so much

nihilism wins!

How does being a small African antelope win favor?

j5 wrote:They both make sense. I don't see what the issue is.

What does blood being thicker than water have to do with anything? It is completely irrelevant to the meaning of the saying.

KtCallista wrote:I agree, because we understand what they mean. I think Fen is trying to get at the more scientifically correct term, although the thickness of a liquid (especially in cooking) is common usage and correct.

Right, I'm not saying that thicker is incorrect, merely that the phrase doesn't make any sense and therefore does not provide the context required to figure out what thicker means in this case. Viscous would be unambiguous and not require context.

I also believe that there are arguments for and against multiple uses of the same word, but I prefer not to have to use context.

FenStar wrote:What does blood being thicker than water have to do with anything? It is completely irrelevant to the meaning of the saying.

In the context of "blood relationships", you don't say "blood forms a more viscous bond", you say "blood forms a thicker bond" or somesuch. As has been mentioned already, "thicker" is acceptable to describe the viscosity of liquids. (e.g. soup), so there we are.

j5 wrote:In the context of "blood relationships", you don't say "blood forms a more viscous bond", you say "blood forms a thicker bond" or somesuch.

Ok, but the viscosity of blood is irrelevant to to family bonds, and I still don't know what water has to do with it either. Or are you saying that in the phase thicker is not being used as a synonym for viscous?

FenStar wrote:Ok, but the viscosity of blood is irrelevant to family bonds, and I still don't know what water has to do with it either. Or are you saying that in the phase thicker is not being used as a synonym for viscous?

Nevermind.

"Everything happens for a reason." Ummm, no, many things happen for no reason whatsoever. They just happen.

*shows NW England roots*

'Where there's muck, there's brass'

FenStar wrote:Ok, but the viscosity of blood is irrelevant to to family bonds, and I still don't know what water has to do with it either. Or are you saying that in the phase thicker is not being used as a synonym for viscous?

It's saying that you are more closely tied and have more loyalty to family (share blood with them) than with someone you aren't related to (share water with, as in drink).

Blood ties are thicker than water ties.

Family ties are thicker than non-family ties.

And, blood IS thicker than water; it's nearly five times as thick according to most measurements. So, again, not sure why you're confused.

'The wind will change and your face will stick like that'

dougall wrote:*shows NW England roots*

'Where there's muck, there's brass'

So sayeth Piss Harry

j5 wrote:So sayeth Piss Harry

my roots are a little older ;)

also

'what time do you call this then?'

dougall wrote:my roots are a little older ;)

also

'what time do you call this then?'

I wasn't claiming origin, just validation.

Is that an actual saying or just some sarcastic rebuttal?
"How about them apples!"

j5 wrote:I wasn't claiming origin, just validation.

Is that an actual saying or just some sarcastic rebuttal?
"How about them apples!"

real saying,

the sort of thing one's mother might say when you arrive home after hours and

'six sheets to the wind'

His limeyness is showing.

Mavyn wrote:His limeyness is showing.

that's because pants are pants.

dougall wrote:that's because pants are pants.

Talk like that might violate the family friendly rule!

dougall wrote:real saying,

the sort of thing one's mother might say when you arrive home after hours and

'six sheets to the wind'

Real saying my aunt Fanny! That's just colloquial sarcasm.

Trouser snake!

Mavyn wrote:And, blood IS thicker than water; it's nearly five times as thick according to most measurements. So, again, not sure why you're confused.

Because blood being five times thicker than water has nothing to do with the strength of family ties.

FenStar wrote:Because blood being five times thicker than water has nothing to do with the strength of family ties.

So you don't get that you share blood with family, but not with non-family?

Mavyn wrote:So you don't get that you share blood with family, but not with non-family?

*cough*

j5 wrote:Nevermind.

j5 wrote:*cough*

Are you implying I should have better things to do?

:p

*puts away poking stick*

j5 wrote:Real saying my aunt Fanny! That's just colloquial sarcasm.

Trouser snake!

uh-huh.

there's n'owt so queer as folk.

dougall wrote:uh-huh.

there's n'owt so queer as folk.

That was a good show.

Mavyn wrote:So you don't get that you share blood with family, but not with non-family?

I have blood, just like all other animals that I am aware of. Blood != DNA, nor does sharing genes cause bonds. It is true you have a stronger bond to family members and that usually family members share genetics, but if you switched two children at birth there would be no difference as far as I know.

Still, none of that has anything to do with the "thickness" of blood

Mavyn wrote:Are you implying I should have better things to do?

:p

*puts away poking stick*

If the internet isn't for stupid meaningless arguments over obscure technicalities, than I have no idea what it is for.