A mathematician is someone who, faced by the question “Do you have any more comments?” on a questionnaire, answers “Yes”,
(I found exactly this question on a questionnaire at Castle Kennedy Gardens today. In fact I answered “No”.)
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This makes perfect sense to me. Unfortunately, those close to me tell me that while I may understand the rules of logic, I do not always seem to have a firm grasp of the rules of conversation. This was in fact the inspiration for a blog post of my own not so long ago.
I nearly got into serious trouble few years ago, when a ticket inspector on the London underground said to me “I didn’t see your photocard”.
I often respond to people coming to my office and asking `Can I please ask you a question?’ with
`You just did. Would you like to ask another one?’
It becomes increasingly clear that an understanding of logic can be a danger to one’s health!
This morning, Diamond Geezer says,
And what to make of this notice in Birmingham? “Sale: up to 50%”.
The construction “Up to 50% or more” is also used sometimes.