Many decades ago, Oxford Philosophy of Language Professor J.L. Austin and Columbia philosopher Sidney Morgenbesser reportedly had this exchange:
“In English,” Professor Austin said, “a double negative forms a positive. However, in some languages, such as Russian, a double negative remains a negative. But there isn’t a single language, not one, in which a double positive can express a negative.”
A voice from the back of the room piped up, “Yeah, right.”
This absolutely makes my day.
Reader Comments
(3)
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the comments to which they respond.
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Anthony
July 31, 2013
Hilarious!
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Angie
August 1, 2013
it took me 2 seconds to get that. Damn it. Am i becoming dumber? Help needed.
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A. Mead
August 6, 2013
Forgive my ignorance of my own language, but is that "real" irony?
Anthony
July 31, 2013
Hilarious!
Angie
August 1, 2013
it took me 2 seconds to get that. Damn it. Am i becoming dumber? Help needed.
A. Mead
August 6, 2013
Forgive my ignorance of my own language, but is that "real" irony?