Do I look like Mom? Here is some data on her to allow you draw your own conclusions:
Do I resemble Dad? Here is some data to allow you to decide for yourself:
Mom says: "I rest my case."
You are invited to vote in the "Comments" section.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
The first Maddie-ness reader poll!
As you may remember, there is a disagreement brewing in the house about which parent I resemble most -- Dad says Mom, Mom says Dad. I've gotten a little tired of hearing everyone talk about it -- in fact, it's been keeping me up at night -- so I've decided to let you, dear readers, decide.
Do I resemble Dad? Here is some data to allow you to decide for yourself:
Mom says: "I rest my case."
You are invited to vote in the "Comments" section.
Do I resemble Dad? Here is some data to allow you to decide for yourself:
Mom says: "I rest my case."
You are invited to vote in the "Comments" section.
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3 comments:
Dad's chin and cheeks, Gramma Jennifer's nose, Mom's eyes, Paloma's hair color, both parents' trenchancy.
(Note to Dad: data ARE, datum IS. I know you're sleep-deprived! :-))
Dear Gram,
Why are you writing to Dad? He's much too busy changing my diapers and catching up on Ugaritic to write any of this.
As for your point, there is ample evidence in the history of languages for the use of a singular verb with a plural subject. Perhaps the issue is the interpretation of "data." In the sciences, data may seem to be discrete fragments of information, but in the humanities (the study of which I have been absorbing from Mom and Dad), data is perhaps a less-clearly differentiated mass of information which takes part in the flux of Being. Like mashed potatoes: plural, yet singular.
Also, as long as we're editing each other... "trenchancy"? In the words of The Princess Bride, "I do not think that word means what you think it means."
--Maddie
Sweetheart,
Your Mom says you are going to be a doctor, so you must be well versed in the language of empirical methodology, as distasteful as this will be to your father and grandfather. Plus, Dad has enough years of Latin under his belt to know that two pictures are plural, as are the positions of two arms.
Further, Gram looked up 'trenchancy' in dictionary.com, and it means 'forceful, effective, and vigorous' -- every bit your wonderful self!
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