Editing 1405: Meteor
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | This is one of [[Randall]]'s [[:Category:My Hobby|My Hobby]] comics. The author makes semantically incorrect statements to frustrate pedantic people who know the correct word, and confuse people who don't know the precise word so they can go on using the wrong word; see also [[1429: Data]] | + | This is one of [[Randall]]'s [[:Category:My Hobby|My Hobby]] comics. The author makes semantically incorrect statements to frustrate pedantic people who know the correct word, and confuse people who don't know the precise word so they can go on using the wrong word; see also [[1429: Data]]. |
− | Cueball | + | [[Cueball]] tells his friend that he found a piece of a "{{w|meteor}}". His friend corrects Cueball, telling him that what he found is called {{w|magma}}, and that the phrase "a piece of a meteor" would be correct if the object was in the air, once it hits the ground it is called magma. In doing so he attempts to confuse or annoy Cueball. In truth, {{w|meteorite}} is the expression for a piece of a {{w|meteoroid}} that has landed; {{w|meteor}} is the term for the streak of light caused by the meteoroid while it falls through the atmosphere. Thus the first statement by him is a (partly) true correction of Cueball, but the second one is wrong. |
− | The word "{{w|pedant}} | + | The word "{{w|pedant|pedantic}}" means being overly concerned with being precise. It is usually a pejorative term used to refer to someone who is overly fussy and corrects someone's word choice even when the more ambiguous or slightly incorrect term they used was fine for informal communication. One would tend to believe a pedant, as they would usually know what they are pedantic about. So when Cueball's friend is making wrong statements that seem pedantic, he may make people believe him. |
− | + | The title text expands on the joke, as if the conversation had continued with a confused Cueball responding that he thought magma was underground. His friend attempts to confuse him further by talking about {{w|lava}} which indeed is the expression for magma that has reached the surface. But it's ridiculous to suggest that all other things are called lava when underground. In the sentence he also continues to imply that magma could also be found above ground. | |
− | + | The two sentences thus follow the same pattern with one true but pedantic part to begin with, and then a false statement to confuse the victim. | |
===Meteor & Magma=== | ===Meteor & Magma=== | ||
Here is a list of the terminology that is being muddled: | Here is a list of the terminology that is being muddled: | ||
*The descent of a small solid body from space: | *The descent of a small solid body from space: | ||
− | **A {{w|meteoroid}} is a small solid body | + | **A {{w|meteoroid}} is a small solid body travelling through space outside the atmosphere. |
**A {{w|meteor}} is a streak of light produced by a meteoroid as it burns up in the atmosphere. | **A {{w|meteor}} is a streak of light produced by a meteoroid as it burns up in the atmosphere. | ||
**A {{w|meteorite}} is a piece of a meteoroid remaining after it strikes the ground. | **A {{w|meteorite}} is a piece of a meteoroid remaining after it strikes the ground. | ||
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==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
− | :[ | + | :[Cueball walks toward his friend holding a rock.] |
:Cueball: Check it out - I got a piece of a meteor! | :Cueball: Check it out - I got a piece of a meteor! | ||
− | : | + | :Friend: ''Actually'', it's only called that while falling. Once it lands, it's called ''magma''. |
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:My Hobby: Mixing pedantic terms | :My Hobby: Mixing pedantic terms | ||
{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
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[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | ||
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[[Category:My Hobby]] | [[Category:My Hobby]] | ||
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