Here’s today’s xkcd, called the “Wrong Superhero”. I had to have Matthew explain it to me, as I didn’t get it immediately. I suspect others will.
Speaking of linguistics. . . .
March 5, 2017 • 2:30 pm
Why Evolution is True is a blog written by Jerry Coyne, centered on evolution and biology but also dealing with diverse topics like politics, culture, and cats.
For what it’s worth, this particular strip isn’t today’s strip by about 600 strips.
It’s good though.
Btw, the mouseover text is “Hi! Someone call for me? I’m a superhero who specializes in the study of God’s creation of Man in the Book of Genesi– HOLY SHIT A GIANT BUG!”
Well the cartoon suggests Etymology Man, of course.
But the mouseover text suggests [something else I can’t call to mind right now]. Drat.
cr
I won’t give you the solution, but there’s an explanation of every xkcd comic at the appropriately named spoiler site http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/1012
I divide my life into two phases-before I understood the difference between those two terms and after. It has been like night and dei.
what do i win if i got it immediately? (hint, see: word history)
Ha! I got it too because I’m a big geek with languages.
Me too! It’s a relief to once in awhile have some scientific words I know the meaning of.
Hint: the speaking character is the summoned superhero, and reveals his superpowers by what he does, which is, as the title gives away the “wrong” kind of superhero one.
*slap*
Thanks…I needed that.
Ah! :->
Old linguistics department joke:
Q: What’s the difference between an entomologist and an etymologist?
A: An entomologist studies bugs; an etymologist is someone who can tell you the difference between an entomologist and an etymologist.
And bugs people when they do. 🙂
Anyone know the etiology of the confusion between etymology and entomology?
I hope you teleology. 😀
Likewise. His mind is a wonder to behold in what it is capable of. He is nothing like any other geek I have ever met. I know people who use C++ and Emacs and no, you can’t actually use their keyboard layouts, but even so, not in his league.
Actually a reply to 8. Don’t even have a Dvorak layout as an excuse for my confusion.
I think it goes way back to embryology.
Meanwhile, at least they didn’t summon Eschatology Man.
Eschatology? Is that a variant of scatology but dealing with a more limited subset of bullshit?
+1
Literal lol!
Ewww, because some would take umbrage at that embryology. 🙂
They can just stick their heads up their enterology…
Nice to see another XKCD fan! I love his strips.
xkcd is awesome. I finally supported the author by buying his _What If_ book.