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| 5/17 |
| 2005/3/28-29 [Industry/Jobs] UID:36931 Activity:high |
3/28 Why do we say "five-digit ZIP code" and "ten-digit phone numbers", but
we say "six-figure salary" not "six-digit salary"?
\-because a salary is a number not a string of digits.
phone number and zip codes dont have a "cadinality".
Why are manhole covers round? Why do mirrors reverse
left/right but not up/down? --psb
\_ Manhole covers are round because round covers can't fall in.
\- circle not only shape where that is true. also round =
easier to move/roll.
\_ yes, it's easier to roll, but what other shape would it
be true?
\_ Or maybe it's just because salaries are old, but zip codes
and phone numbers are new. People say "three-digit IQ",
even though IQ is a number with a magnitude. --mconst
\- fair point. where do you figures outside of money?
i think it may have more to do with money than
old/new. --psb
\_ In the past, "figure" was certainly not restricted
to money; we still say things like "figure 8".
Nowadays, I can't think of anywhere I'd use it
except set phrases and some money-related stuff.
(Not even all money stuff; I'd say "12-digit GDP",
but that might just be me. It's definitely "double-
digit GDP growth", although that's arguably not
referring directly to money.) --mconst
\- figure 8 is a differnt use it
is referring to the shape of the
digit/symbol. when speaking of
precision/accuracy, i suppose
people should use digits rather
than significant figures.
i suppose figures is also used
fo non-money things like
casualty figures. maybe it is more
somthing open to "accounting"
than narrowly money. check your facts
and figures. --psb
\_ I always thought it was because salary is
something most poeple don't know the exact value
of. You say double digit growth because
you could go get the numbers and they would
be exact values. Salary is something you on
get in approximates because it isn't supposed
to be public knowledge is polite company.
So a 6 figure salary is a rough approximation,
not an standin for an exact value you can give
if pressed.
\_ Hmm. Wouldn't the same thing apply to IQs,
then? When you say someone has a double-
digit IQ, you're not claiming to know their
IQ exactly. --mconst
\_ temperatures are old, but they can be triple-digit
\_ Good point. The terms "double-digit" and "triple-digit"
seem to be used pretty widely in general; any idea how
old they are? I can't find any citations in the OED
before 1959. --mconst
\_ Check for 'treble-digit' as well. Those wacky brits.
--scotsman
\_ For what it's worth, they actually list this as
originally U.S. usage. --mconst
\_ Like "aluminum"? :-) -John
\_ psb: how many figures of pi do you know?
\- i figure pi figures bigger than e. when we think of
pi as a string, we use digits. when we think of it as
a number, it has a value. --psb
\_ I know 17, which is four less than what's in
/usr/include/math.h. --- !psb
\- looks like i know 18 ... in base 10. --psb
\- This is a case where the different usage makes sense.
In some cases I agree there are arbitrary or interchangeable
uses eventhough in the dictionary, there may be some technical
difference. On the flip side, there are work words seen as
exact substitutesm possibly with one preferred and the other
considered odd or archaic or verbose, but in some contexts
the are not interchangable and the normally disfavoroed word
should be prefered. e.g. use vs usage. You may be interested
in http://home.lbl.gov:8080/~psb/BLOG/Intention-v-Motive.txt
\_ Because "digits" apply no value to the item or the number involved
while "figures" implies a relative, comparable standing. The phrase
"six figure salary" can be given a comparative value (high, low,
mid) and can be compared a salary involving a different number of
figures. It also means all of the numbers should be taken as a
whole. The phrase "five-digit ZIP Code" implies no particular
value for a higher or lower number. Each digit gives no implicit
meaning or value to the final number as a whole.
\_ Addendum: Someone noted to me that "digits" is also exclusively
used in cases where the positive integer is < 1000, no matter
if the item in question is comparative. Interesting. |
| 5/17 |
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| home.lbl.gov:8080/~psb/BLOG/Intention-v-Motive.txt txt WARNING: May cause unintended and undesired Donald Davidson flashbacks. That is neither my motive nor my intention :-) I was reading a book that used the phrase "intention and motive" so I spent a little time pondering the difference ... each entry had a number of synonyms to consider and offered some hyperfine distinctions ... I thought these were sort of interesting, although I'd say in practice many of these are used interchangeably ... def 1: synonyms MOTIVE, IMPULSE, INCENTIVE, INDUCEMENT, SPUR, GOAD mean a stimulus to action. MOTIVE implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act <a motive for the crime>. IMPULSE suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution <buying on impulse>. INCENTIVE applies to an external influence (as an expected reward) inciting to action <a bonus was offered as an incentive>. INDUCEMENT suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another <offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe>. SPUR applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor <fear was a spur to action>. GOAD suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire <thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency>. def 2: synonyms INTENTION, INTENT, PURPOSE, DESIGN, AIM, END, OBJECT, OBJECTIVE, GOAL mean what one intends to accomplish or attain. INTENTION implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about <announced his intention to marry>. INTENT suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness <the clear intent of the statute>. PURPOSE suggests a more settled determination <being successful was her purpose in life>. DESIGN implies a more carefully calculated plan <the order of events came by accident, not design>. AIM adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing <her aim was to raise film to an art form>. END stresses the intended effect of action often in distinction or contrast to the action or means as such <willing to use any means to achieve his end>. OBJECT may equal END but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need <his constant object was the achievement of pleasure>. OBJECTIVE implies something tangible and immediately attainable <their objective is to seize the oil fields>. GOAL suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship <worked years to reach her goals>. I wonder if the eskimos have 10 words for intention and motives ... Motivated by the cold and a sense of style, the Quinn the Eskimo intended to use all the different kinds of ice and snow he could name, to build his igloo. Stat pro ratione voluntas ps I cam across a nice expression by Steven Pinker: "euphemism treadmill" It describes the phenomenon of a formerly PC word become unPC and then re-replaced, eg crippled -> handicapped -> disabled -> ... |