Epiphanies, Oxymorons, etc.

[Kohinoor]

Hi all,

I heard something on radio a few weeks back. It was one of those things that almost startled me - you know, like "Wow, of course - I had never thought about it that way, but it IS true!".

The comment made was in the form of a question:-

"Why do they put brakes on race cars?"

And the answer was




"So they can go FASTER !!!"


Say wha? It seems a strange thing to say (on the surface) but it is too true !!

Thinking it through, if race cars DIDN'T have brakes, drivers could not approach any corners at the same high speeds that they do today - they would need to back off way ahead of the corner, thus impacting on their overall speed or lap times.


And it got me thinking - there's almost a direct parallel between that story, and Cohens - it goes like this:-

"Why do people doing Cohens NOT exercise?"

.... so they can lose weight faster !!


Most would get that same "Huh, that doesn't make sense" feeling wouldn't they? But, isn't it TRUE ?

Koh

PS As Asy would know, my fave oxymoron is "Eschew obfuscation" I love sayings, stories, etc. that lead to "realisation" or an epiphany, don't you? Now, go on, work out what "eschew obfuscation" means - and enjoy the laugh

[ropemaha]

um my understanding is ....to avoid, shun, abstain plus to darken or obscure.....so does this mean to shun the darkness???

y'know i gotta know now....

pen

[asy]

Nope.

Not even close.

Try again...

[ropemaha]

grrr.....okey dokey asy, i shall put it to the lecturers, see what they have to say.....

pen

[ropemaha]

how bout this

Eschew : to avoid doing something difficult
obfucate: to make something difficult


pen

[ropemaha]

or this


I think it is considered an oxymoron because the words themselves mean to avoid (eschew) bewildering or complicating (obfuscation) yet together that is exactly what they do. The expression gives no idea of its meaning and few would know what it means

pen

[Kohinoor]

I think it is considered an oxymoron because the words themselves mean to avoid (eschew) bewildering or complicating (obfuscation) yet together that is exactly they do

Applause for that final effort, Pen - that is exactly it.

Together they say "Avoid big words that complicate or hide what you are trying to say" - that's it in a nutshell.

I still love that one - if others have oxymorons that appeal to them, I'd love to hear about them hey?

Koh

[Faithy]

My brain hurts

[asy]

are you suggesting removal of the oxy?

[Andy46]

20. Government Organization
19. Alone Together
18. Personal Computer
17. Silent Scream
16. Living Dead
15. Same Difference
14. Taped Live
13. Plastic Glasses
12. Tight Slacks
11. Peace Force

Koh just for you - the top ten oxymoron - of sorts !!!!!!!!!

10. Pretty Ugly
9. Head Butt
8. Working Vacation
7. Tax Return
6. Virtual Reality
5. Dodge Ram
4. Work Party
3. Jumbo Shrimp
2. Healthy Tan
1. Microsoft Works


Andy

[Kohinoor]

Hi Andy,

I should've known you'd come up with a truckload - and all really good (except what the hell does "Dodge ram" mean? Is this a USA thing?) Loved the rest though - good work,

Koh

[Andy46]

The Dodge Ram 50 (called the D50 for 1979 and 1980) was a compact pickup truck produced by Mitsubishi Motors and sold by the Chrysler Corporation from 1979 to 1994.

as in

Ford Laser, the Telstar was in fact, based on a model produced by Mazda in Japan.

And I don't care. (SIC)


Andy

[sundaymorningstaple]

And probably the number one oxymoron:

Military Intelligence!

[Trips]

My favourite, and I use it all the time too is...

... we'll have to agree to disagree!

Other's I like and some I also use include:

a fine mess
baby grand (piano)
blind eye
dull roar
friendly argument
good grief


I could go on all day... but I'll end with my yahoo user name..

opulent_riffraff

Much love,

Trips xxxxxxxxx

[Kohinoor]

Hi Trips,

but I'll end with my yahoo user name.. opulent_riffraff

Oh, I LIKE that one !!! (You must be a posh member of the hoi polloi !!)


And your "friendly argument" immediately led me to one of the classics (surprised it wasn't in Andy's list)

FRIENDLY FIRE !!! It's gotta be right up there.....

Koh

[Kohinoor]

Hi all,

It's been awhile - tonight I wanted to bring this thread back into the light of day - mainly for this (which was REALLY the reason for the very first post) :-

Originally Posted by Kohinoor

"Why do people doing Cohens NOT exercise?"

.... so they can lose weight faster !!

Have YOU heard any "Huh?" sayings that led YOU to an awakening? If so, please share them....

Let's turn the world on its head (It's fun....)

Koh

[Faithy]

Today I was reminded of something which to me is incredibly profound.. 'focus on what you can have & change rather than those things that you can't'.. to change that mind set can achieve SO much in all facets of our lives - diet & everyday thinking.

[Kohinoor]

Another saying blew me away the other day !!

It is a tagline on a "Coaching" website - it says:-

"Your reach far exceeds your imagination"


If you can see, and accept, the truth therein, it is a powerful and enervating maxim !!

I can think of quite a number of people on here who are almost embarrassed by some of the grateful replies to their posts... In short, they weren't (or aren't) aware of THEIR "reach", and the effect of their words on others...

Could the above be true for you too?

Enjoy,

Koh

PS Another from that same website read "How many coaches does it take to change a lightbulb?" Answer: Only one - but the lightbulb has to WANT to change !

[Kohinoor]

Hi Faithy,

Your post reminded me of the well-known "Serenity Prayer" - it packs a punch too.....

God grant me -
the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the Courage to change the things I can,
and the Wisdom to know the difference.

Hugs,

Koh

[ConnieK..]

Koh,

I have a version of that that goes ...

God grant me -
the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the Courage to change the things I can,
and the Wisdom to find an exceptional hiding place for the bodies of those who get in the way.

Connie