Professional Documents
Culture Documents
org/Research/Ambig/
Collection of Ambiguous or Inconsistent/Incomplete
Statements
Compiled by Jeff Gray
"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone,
"it means just what I choose it to mean - nothing more nor less."
"The question is," said Alice,
"whether you can make words mean so many different things."
Lewis Carroll
Introduction
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the 500 words used most in the
English language each have an average of 23 different meanings. The word
"round," for instance, has 70 distinctly different meanings. The variance of word
meanings in natural language has always posed problems for those who attempt
to construct an unambiguous and consistent statement. It is often the case that a
written statement could be interpreted in several ways by different individuals,
thus rendering the statement subjective rather than objective. The first detailed
examination of this problem with respect to the specifications of computer
systems is contained in [Hill, 72]. Hill provides a plethora of examples to
illustrate this common problem. Peter G. Neumann illustrated this point by
constructing a sentence which contained the restrictive qualifier "only." He then
showed that by placing the word "only" in 15 different places in the sentence
resulted in over 20 different interpretations [Neumann, 84]. Moreover, other
words like "never," "should," "nothing," and "usually" are sometimes applied
in a manner in which a double meaning can be ascribed. In particular, the word
"nothing" was a favorite word often used by Lewis Carroll.
Occasionally the ambiguity found in natural language may evoke images of the
ridiculous while at other times it may be the source of humor. The examples
presented here point to the potential confusion that can result when using natural
language. That is, informal descriptions are subject to the vagaries and
ambiguities of the natural language in which they are expressed. Those who
formulated these statements did not fully consider the implications caused by the
way in which the sentences were phrased. In a sense, they became victims of the
Humpty-Dumpty Syndrome, a phenomenon where individuals fail to realize that
words have many meanings and that others may not always be able to surmise
the intent of a particular statement.
If simple statements like those given on this Web page are vulnerable to
ambiguity, one can only imagine the potential problems that exist within a
software requirements specification (SRS) written entirely in natural language.
Such documents can easily be hundreds or thousands of pages in length. The
possibility of ambiguities and inconsistent statements existing in such documents
is very real.
The following represents a collection of ambiguous or inconsistent statements
that I have found from various places. While most of them provide a source of
amusement, my overall goal is to show that the cavalier use of natural language
can often lead to unintended meanings.
I plan to add new content to this list periodically. If you have any additions or
suggestions, please contact me at:
gray (at) cis.uab.edu
( http://www.gray-area.org)
Contents
English is a Silly Language!
English Homonyms
Missing Words
Lexicon of Inconspicuously Ambiguous Recommendations
Miscellaneous
Signs
Poorly Worded Ads
Instruction Labels
Oxymorons
Fuzzy Requirements
Ambiguous Newspaper Headlines
Church Bulletins
Insurance Forms
On The Importance of Correct Punctuation
Double Negatives
language.
pineapple.
in England.
France.
That is why:
When the stars are out they are visible
But when the lights are out they are invisible
And why it is that when I wind up my watch
it starts but when I wind up this poem
it ends?
English Homonyms
Missing Words
The omission of a key word from a statement can drastically change the intended meaning, as
evidenced by the following examples:
I saw this at a department store in my hometown recently:
"We now have dress shirts on sale for men with 16 necks"
better left unfilled: I can assure you that no person would be better
for the job.
To describe a job applicant who is not worth further consideration: I
would urge you to waste no time in making this candidate an offer of
employment.
To describe a person with lackluster credentials: All in all, I cannot
say enough good things about this candidate or recommend him too
highly.
Thornton pointed out that LIAR is not only useful in preserving
friendships, but it also can help avoid serious legal trouble in a
time when laws have eroded the confidentiality of letters of
recommendation.
In most states, he noted, job applicants have the right to read the
letters of recommendations and can even file suit against the writer
if the contents are negative.
When the writer uses LIAR, however, whether perceived correctly or not
by the candidate, the phrases are virtually litigation-proof, Thornton
said.
Miscellaneous
The following was sent to me by Steve Schach, after he noticed that the wording
in this Call for Papers might prompt many on the SEWORLD mailing list to be more
penitent:
====================================================
Date: Mon, 19 May 2003 12:08:19 -0600 (MDT)
Subject: (SEWORLD) ETAPS 2004: FIRST CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Please apologize if you receive multiple copies of this message.
====================================================
For sale: R. D. Jones has one sewing machine for sale. Phone
948-0707 after 7 P.M.. and ask for Mrs. Kelly who lives with him
cheap.
TUESDAY:
Notice: We regret having erred In R. D. Jones' ad yesterday. It
should have read "One sewing machine for sale cheap. Phone
948-0707 and ask for Mrs. Kelly, who lives with him after 7 P.M."
WEDNESDAY:
Notice: R. D. Jones has informed us that he has received several
annoying telephone calls because of the error we made in the
classified ad yesterday. The ad stands correct as follows: "For
sale -- R. D. Jones has one sewing machine for sale. Cheap. Phone
948-0707 after 7 P.M. and ask for Mrs. Kelly who loves with him."
THURSDAY:
Notice: I, R. D. Jones, have no sewing machine for sale. I
intentionally broke it. Don't call 948-0707 as I have had the
phone disconnected. I have not been carrying on with Mrs. Kelly.
Until yesterday she was my housekeeper, but she has now quit.
"I once shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajams I'll never know" Groucho
Often, you may see a sign like the following at a mall:
Entire store 25% off
Do I need to buy the whole store, or can I just pick out a few items of interest?
"The word 'good' has many meanings. For example, if a man were to shoot his grandmother
at a range of five hundred yards, I should call him a good shot, but not necessarily a good man."
(G.K. Chesterton)
Joe was in court fighting a ticket for parking his car in a restricted area. The judge asked him
if he had anything to say in his defense. "They should not put up such misleading notices", said
Joe. "It said, FINE FOR PARKING HERE."
What did Woodsy the Owl mean when he said:
"I found a smouldering cigarette left by a horse."
"This is the worst disaster in California since I was elected." --California Governor Pat
Brown, discussing a local flood
The word "hit" can also have several very different meanings - during the final game of the
1997 National League Championship Series in baseball, Bob Costas mentioned that NBC has a
special Web page where you can "HIT ON a computer." Costas meant that the techniques for
hitting a baseball could be explored from their web page. Co-announcer, Bob Eucker (sic?),
however, voiced his displeasure of computing by saying that he "hits on" (or bangs) his computer
everyday. A further meaning could be ascribed to this quote by someone who has a sexual
attraction to computers...
A friend (Jonathan Sprinkle) pointed out to me that his phone bill always says, "Please make
check payable to BellSouth in U.S. Funds" so he always writes his checks out to:
WASHINGTON, March 10 (Reuters) - Geoffrey Bible, chairman and chief executive of the
world's largest tobacco company Philip Morris Cos. Inc.
Customer support people may get a good laugh when they are asked for help concerning the
following message:
"Please press ANY key to continue..."
Most keyboards do not have a special "ANY" key.
A similar situation is described in the following:
Tech Support: "What does the screen say now?"
Person: "It says, 'Hit ENTER when ready'."
Tech Support: "Well?"
Person: "How do I know when it's ready?
In Computer Standards and Interfaces, September 1995, Haim Kilov offers the following in
his guest editorial:
"Lets look at a naming example attributed by Washington Technology to James Schlesinger (a
Senior DoD executive); remarks are paraphrased to some degree:
"...when the Marines are 'ordered' to 'secure a building,' they form a landing party and assualt it.
The same instructions will lead the Army to occupy the building with a troop of infantry, and the
Navy will characteristically respond by sending a yeoman to assure that the building lights are
turned out. When the Air Force acts on these instructions, what results is a 'three years lease with
an option to purchase'."
Politicians are certainly not exempt from inconsistencies:
"When two trains approach each other at a crossing, both shall come to a full stop and neither
shall
start up again until the other has gone." Kansas State Legislature, early 1890's
A statement that I often see at restaurants:
"Please wait for hostess to be seated"
Misc. Ambiguous Sentences
The old men and women left the room.
Bill sold the invisible man's hat.
Signs
One can often find inconsistent or ambiguous statements on roadside signs. Obviously, this is
due to the fact that the luxury of being verbose is not available due to a limited amount of space.
Some of the following have been forwarded to me or personally witnessed.
I recently saw this on a sign at a burger restaurant in Nashville:
We don't just serve hamburgers, we serve people.
One might find the following sign in a residential neighborhood:
"Slow children at play."
While driving toward Murfreesboro from Nashville, I witnessed the following statement on a
billboard on I-24. The omission of the conjunction "and" can sure change the intended meaning.
I wonder if this store freeze-dries their souvenirs to prevent melting?
"Ice Cream Souvenirs"
The following joke is circulating the Internet:
At the Franklin Lanes bowling alley, in Franklin, TN, I saw the following sign and several
ideas came to mind:
"Vending Restrooms"
From Muscle Media 2K, on page 51, strength coach Charles Poliquin writes:
"A former Ms. Olympia competitor comes to mind: she is the type who would walk into a
shopping center, see a sign which read "Wet Floor," and do it!"
In an office: AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND
STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD
Sign outside a new town hall which was to be opened by the Prince of Wales: THE
TOWN HALL IS CLOSED UNTIL OPENING. IT WILL REMAIN CLOSED AFTER
BEING OPENED. OPEN TOMORROW.
Outside a photographers studio: OUT TO LUNCH: IF NOT BACK BY FIVE, OUT FOR
DINNER ALSO
Notice in a field: THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR
FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES
Message on a leaflet: IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU
HOW TO GET LESSONS
Sign on a repair shop door: WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD
ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN'T WORK)
Spotted in a toilet in a London office block: TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE
FLOOR BELOW
ZURICH HOTEL
Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the opposite sex in the bedroom, it is
suggested that the lobby be used for this purpose.
NORWAY COCKTAIL LOUNGE
Ladies are requested not to have children at the bar.
MOSCOW HOTEL
You are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian and Soviet composers,
artists and writers are buried daily except Thursday.
BUCHAREST HOTEL
The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you will be
unbearable.
BUDAPEST ZOO
Please do not feed the animals. If you have any suitable food, give it to the guard on duty.
SWEDISH FURRIER
Fur coats made for ladies from their own skin.
POLISH MENU
Roasted duck let loose and beef rashers beaten up in the country people's fashion.
SWISS EATERY
Our wines leave you nothing to hope for.
PARIS SHOP
Dresses for street walking.
RHODES TAILOR
Order summer suits early. In a big rush we will execute customers in strict rotation.
ROME LAUNDRY
Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time.
PARIS HOTEL
Please leave your values at the front desk.
JAPANESE HOTEL
You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid.
The following are actual signs seen across the good ol' U.S.A.
At gas eateries through the nation: Eat here and get gas.
At a truck stop in Tulsa, OK: Kids with gas eat free.
In a Baltimore restaurant: All food must pass through the cashier before entering the
dining room.
In a Portland, ME parking garage: Tenants not paid by the 15th of the month will be
terminated.
In a New York restaurant: Customers who consider our waitresses uncivil ought to see the
manager.
On the wall of a Baltimore estate: Trespassers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the
law. --Sisters of Mercy
In a Los Angeles dance hall: Good clean dancing every night but Sunday.
On a movie theater: Children's matinee today. Adults not admitted unless with child.
In the offices of a loan company: Ask about our plans for owning your home.
On a New York convalescent home: For the sick and tired of the Episcopal Church.
On a Maine shop: Our motto is to give our customers the lowest possible prices and
workmanship.
On a display of "I love you only" valentine cards: Now available in multi-packs.
In the window of a Kentucky appliance store: Don't kill your wife. Let our washing
machine do the dirty work.
In a Tacoma, Washington men's clothing store: 15 men's wool suits, $10. They won't last
an hour!
On a Pennsylvania highway: Drive carefully. Auto accidents kill most people 15 to 19.
In the window of an Oregon store: Why go elsewhere and be cheated when you can come
here?
On a movie marquee: Now playing: ADAM AND EVE with a cast of thousands!
In the vestry of a New England church: Will the last person to leave please see that the
perpetual light is extinguished.
In a Pennsylvania cemetery: Persons are prohibited from picking flowers from any but
their own graves.
In a library: Blotter paper will no longer be available until the public stops taking it away.
On a Tennessee highway: When this sign is under water, this road is impassable.
Similarly, in front of a New Hampshire car wash: If you can't read this, it's time to wash
your car.
2 female Boston Terrier puppies, 7 weeks old, Perfect markings, 555-1234. Leave mess.
Lost: small apricot poodle. Reward. Neutered. Like one of the family.
For sale: an antique desk suitable for lady with thick legs and large drawers.
Now is your chance to have your ears pierced and get an extra pair to take home, too.
For Sale -- Eight puppies from a German Shepherd and an Alaskan Hussy.
If you think you've seen everything in Paris, visit the Pere Lachasis Cemetery. It boasts
such immortals as Moliere, Jean de la Fontain, and Chopin.
Mt. Kilimanjaro, the breathtaking backdrop for the Serena Lodge. Swim in the lovely
pool while you drink it all in.
The hotel has bowling alleys, tennis courts, comfortable beds, and other athletic facilities.
Toaster: A gift that every member of the family appreciates. Automatically burns toast.
Sheer stockings. Designed for fancy dress, but so serviceable that lots of women wear
nothing else.
Wanted. Man to take care of cow that does not smoke or drink.
Our experienced Mom will care of your child. Fenced yard, meals, and smacks included.
Auto Repair Service. Free pick-up and delivery. Try us once, you'll never go anywhere
again.
Girl wanted to assist magician in cutting-off-head illusion. Blue Cross and salary.
Mixing bowl set designed to please a cook with round bottom for efficient beating.
We will oil your sewing machine and adjust tension in your home for $1.00.
Coors put its slogan, "Turn it loose," into Spanish, where it was read as "Suffer from
diarrhea."
Clairol introduced the "Mist Stick," a curling iron, into German only to find out that
"mist" is slang for manure. Not too many people had use for the "manure stick".
The American slogan for Salem cigarettes, "Salem-Feeling Free", was translated into the
Japanese market as "When smoking Salem, you will feel so refreshed that your mind
seems to be free and empty."
When Gerber started selling baby food in Africa, they used the same packaging as in the
US, with the beautiful baby on the label. Later they learned that in Africa, companies
routinely put pictures on the label of what's inside, since most people can't read.
An American T-shirt maker in Miami printed shirts for the Spanish market which
promoted the Pope's visit. Instead of "I saw the Pope" (el Papa), the shirts read "I saw the
potato" (la papa).
In Italy, a campaign for Schweppes Tonic Water translated the name into "Schweppes
Toilet Water."
Pepsi's "Come alive with the Pepsi Generation" translated into "Pepsi brings your
ancestors back from the grave," in Chinese.
When Parker Pen marketed a ball-point pen in Mexico, its ads were supposed to have
read, "it won't leak in your pocket and embarrass you". Instead, the company thought that
the word "embarazar" (to impregnate) meant to embarrass, so the ad read: "It won't leak
in your pocket and make you pregnant".
General Motor's marketing of the Nova did not go very well in Central and South
America. ("No va" means, of course, in Spanish: "It doesn't go.")
Instruction Labels
These are actual instruction labels on consumer goods. (Parenthetical commentary has been
added...):
On Sears hairdryer: Do not use while sleeping. (Gee, that's the only time I have to work on
my hair!)
On a bag of Fritos: You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside. (The
shoplifter special!)
On a bar of Dial soap: Directions: Use like regular soap. (and that would be how?)
On some Swann frozen dinners: Serving suggestion: Defrost. (But it's 'just' a suggestion!)
On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert: (printed on bottom of the box) Do not turn upside down. (Too
late! you lose!)
On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding: Product will be hot after heating. (Are you sure? Let's
experiment.)
On packaging for a Rowenta iron: Do not iron clothes on body. (But wouldn't that save more
time?) (Whose body?)
On Boot's Children's cough medicine: Do not drive car or operate machinery. (We could do a
lot to reduce the construction accidents if we just kept those 5 year olds off those fork lifts.)
On Nytol sleep aid: Warning: may cause drowsiness. (One would hope!)
On a Korean kitchen knife: Warning: keep out of children. (hmm...something must have
gotten lost in the translation...)
On a string of Christmas lights: For indoor or outdoor use only. (As opposed to use in outer
space.)
On a food processor: Not to be used for the other use. (Now I'm curious.)
Fuzzy Requirements
Oxymorons
Resident alien
Genuine imitation
Good grief
Almost exactly
Sanitary landfill
Legally drunk
Jumbo Shrimp
American history
Small crowd
Soft rock
Sweet sorrow
Taped live
Peace force
Plastic glasses
Tight slacks
Pretty ugly
Working vacation
Found missing
Advanced BASIC
Same difference
Alone together
Silent scream
Living dead
Passive aggression
Clearly misunderstood
Exact estimate
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Nude dancing took center stage on Wednesday at the U.S.
Supreme Court.
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
March planned for Next August
Lingerie Shipment Hijacked--Thief Gives Police the Slip
L.A. Voters Approve Urban Renewal by Landslide
Quarter of a Million Chinese Live on Water
Hershey Bars Protest
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
Safety Experts Say School Bus Passengers Should Be Belted
Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case
Survivor of Siamese Twins Joins Parents
Farmer Bill Dies in House
Iraqi Head Seeks Arms
Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?
Stud Tires Out
Prostitutes Appeal to Pope
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
Soviet Virgin Lands Short of Goal Again
British Left Waffles on Falkland Islands
Lung Cancer in Women Mushrooms
Eye Drops off Shelf
Teacher Strikes Idle Kids
Reagan Wins on Budget, But More Lies Ahead
Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim
Shot Off Woman's Leg Helps Nicklaus to 66
Enraged Cow Injures Farmer with Ax
Plane Too Close to Ground, Crash Probe Told
Miners Refuse to Work after Death
Church Bulletins
ACTUAL ANNOUNCEMENTS TAKEN FROM CHURCH BULLETINS
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
The rosebud on the altar this morning is to announce the Birth of David Alan Belzer, the
sin of Rev. and Mrs. Julius Belzer.
This afternoon there will be a meeting in the South and North ends of the church.
Children will be baptized at both ends.
Tuesday at 4:00pm there will be an ice cream social. All ladies giving milk will please
come early.
Wednesday, the ladies Liturgy society will meet. Mrs. Jones will sing "Put me in my little
bed" accompanied by the pastor.
Thursday at 5:00pm there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All wishing to
become little mothers, please see the minister in his study.
This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the
altar.
The service will close with "Little Drops of Water". One of the ladies will start quietly
and the rest of the congregation will join in.
Next Sunday a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of the new carpet. All
those wishing to do something on the new carpet will come forward and do so.
The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind and they may be seen in the
church basement Friday.
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
At the evening service tonight the sermon topic will be "What is hell?" Come early and
listen to our choir practice.
Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa will be speaking tonight at Calvary Memorial
Church in Racine. Come tonight and hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa.
Announcement in the church bulletin for a National PRAYER & FASTING Conference.
"The cost for attending the Fasting and Prayer conference includes meals".
"Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth
keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands".
The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on the people who are not
afflicted with any church.
The ladies Bible Study will be held on Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. All ladies are
invited to lunch in the church hall after the B.S. is done.
The Pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their
electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning.
The congregation is asked to remain seated until the end of the recession.
Low self-esteem support group will meet on Wednesday from 7.00 to 8.30 p.m. Please
use the back door.
The third verse of Blessed Assurance will be sung without musical accomplishment.
The Rev. Steacey spoke briefly, much to the delight of the congregation.
The Pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing "Break forth
into Joy"
Next Sunday Mrs. Solosky will be soloist for the morning service. The Pastor will then
speak on "It's a terrible experience"
Due to the Pastor's illness, Sunday evening healing services will be discontinued until
further notice.
The music for today's service was all composed by George Friedrich Handel in
celebration of the 300th anniversary of his birth.
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.
Weight watchers will meet at 7 p.m. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
Six new choir gowns are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members
and to the deterioration of some older ones.
Insurance Forms
The following are actual statements found on insurance forms where car drivers
attempted to summarize the details of an accident in the fewest possible words.
Coming home I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I don't have.
The other car collided with mine without giving warning of its intention.
I thought my window was down, but I found it was up when I put my head through it.
The guy was all over the road. I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him.
I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law and headed over the
embankment.
I had been shopping for plants all day and was on my way home. As I reached an
intersection a hedge sprang up, obscuring my vision and I did not see the other car.
I had been driving for forty years when I fell asleep at the wheel and had an accident.
I was on the way to the doctor with rear end trouble when my universal joint gave way
causing me to have an accident.
I told the police that I was not injured, but on removing my hat found that I had a
fractured skull.
I was sure the old fellow would never make it to the other side of the road when I struck
him.
The pedestrian had no idea which way to run as I ran over him.
I saw a slow moving, sad faced old gentleman as he bounced off the road.
The indirect cause of the accident was a little guy in a small car with a big mouth.
I was thrown from my car as it left the road. I was later found in a ditch by some stray
cows.
The telephone pole was approaching. I was attempting to swerve out of the way when I
struck the front end.
An English professor wrote the words, "woman without her man is a savage" on the
blackboard and directed his students to punctuate it correctly.
The men wrote: "Woman, without her man, is a savage."
The women wrote: "Woman: without her, man is a savage."
Dear John: I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind,
thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have
ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we're apart.
I can be forever happy--will you let me be yours? Gloria
Dear John: I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind,
thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have
ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we're
apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be? Yours, Gloria
Double Negative
A linguistics professor was lecturing to his class one day. "In English," he said, "A double
negative forms a positive. In some languages, though, such as Russian, a double negative is still
a negative. However, there is no language wherein a double positive can form a negative." A
voice from the back of the room piped up, "Yeah, right."
"Too"
o
Aaron Binkley described to me an episode of Saturday Night Live where there are
two guys controlling a nuclear reactor which is running too hot. They read the
manual which says "when removing the rods, one can't remove them too quickly."
One guy takes this to mean it is not possible to remove them too quickly, but the
other insists it is warning them not to remove them very quickly. The sketch then
cuts to a view of the reactor in the distance with a mushroom cloud above it.
"Nothing"
o
"More"
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NEW YORK, March 19 /PRNewswire/ via NewsEdge Corporation The New York State Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA) has problems
with H & R Block's current advertising campaign regarding
the filing of complex tax returns. P. Gerard Sokolski,
NYSSCPA president, believes that the ads are misleading and
detrimental to consumers.
According to Sokolski, H&R Block claims that it prepares
more complex tax returns than any CPA firm in America. When
challenged, Steven A. Christianson, H&R Block Assistant Vice
President, said that they define "complex" as individual
returns with schedules. He added that the qualification
"makes it clear that H&R Block does not purport to prepare
tax returns that are more complex than the tax returns
prepared by CPA firms."
Does the
Original Statement
(Naur, Peter, "Programming by Action Clusters," BIT, vol. 9, no. 3, 1969, pp. 250-258.)
(1) line breaks must be made only where the given text
has BLANK or NL
(2) each line is filled as far as possible, as long as
(3) no line will contain more than MAXPOS characters.
Other References
o Meyer, Bertrand, "On Formalism in Specifications," IEEE Software, Janaury
1985, pp. 6-26.
o
Why do you need a driver's license to buy liquor when you can't drink and drive?
Why is it that we pack suits in garment bags and garments in suitcases?
Why are there flotation devices under plane seats instead of parachutes?
Why are cigarettes sold in gas stations when smoking is prohibited there?
How does the guy who drives the snowplow get to work in the mornings?
If 7-11 is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the doors?
If nothing ever sticks to TEFLON, how do they make TEFLON stick to the pan?
If you tied buttered toast to the back of a cat and dropped it from a height, what would
happen?
If you're in a vehicle going the speed of light, what happens when you turn on the
headlights?
You know how most packages say "Open here". What is the protocol if the package says,
"Open somewhere else"?
Why do they put Braille dots on the keypad of the drive-up ATM?
Why is it that when you transport something by car, it's called a shipment, but when you
transport something by ship, it's called cargo?
You know that little indestructible black box that is used on planes, why can't they make
the whole plane out of the same substance?
Why is it that when you're driving and looking for an address, you turn down the volume
on the radio?
Contradicting Proverbs
The following was sent to me as an email. Author unknown...
As any experienced conversationalist can tell you, ambiguity is the key to winning any argument.
Following are a few popular proverbs and counter-proverbs that will allow you to turn a
conversation in any direction you want. Who can argue with the wit and wisdom of our fore
fathers?
Actions speak louder than words. The pen is mightier than the sword.
Look before you leap. He who hesitates is lost.
Many hands make light work. Too many cooks spoil the broth.
The bigger, the better. The best things come in small packages.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Out of sight, out of mind.
What will be, will be. Life is what you make it.
What's good for the goose is good for the gander. One man's meat is another man's
poison.
With age comes wisdom. Out of the mouths of babes come all wise sayings.
Don Willmott's Abort, Retry, Fail? column in PC Magazine is often the source of some
ambiguous statements found in headlines and advertisements. The following represents a
collection of some of my favorites (started December 2, 1996).
Newspaper Headlines:
Related Resources
Dan Berry's comments on the Dangers of All and other research issues related to
ambiguity in requirements
Correctness
Only
Ambiguous Sentences
Logical Fallacies
Stephen's Guide to Logical Fallacies
Logical Fallacies in Scientific Writing
Suggested Reading:
Practical Software Requirements: A Manual of Content and Style,
Chapter 15 of this book, entitled "Small Details," focuses on specific words and phrases
that can be a source of misunderstanding in requirements documents.
Exploring Requirements : Quality Before Design, Donald C. Gause, Gerald M. Weinberg.
Chapter 19 of this book discusses issues of ambiguity in requirements engineering. The
authors suggest that the level of ambiguity in requirements is an indicator of the amount
of design work remaining.
Hill, I.D., "Wouldn't it be nice if we could write computer programs in ordinary English or would it?" The Computer Bulletin, June 1972, pp. 306-312.
Neumann, Peter G., "Only his Only Grammarian Can Only Say What Only He Means,"
ACM SIGSOFT Software Engineering Notes, January 1984, pg. 6.