-1 * -1 = .... -1?

[madbaker]

"Dumb-ass" is a negative.
The opposite of "dumb-ass" is "smart-ass".

But "smart-ass" is a negative. Math /= Language.

Edited to add: Looking at it with a bit more mathematical rigor, perhaps the apparent contradiction is a result of applying a function incompletely, i.e. inverting only half the phrase ("dumb" -> "smart") when it should be applied to both halves of the phrase.

So, what's the opposite of "ass"? I nominate "elbow" (as utilized in the phrase "He doesn't know his ass from his elbow", which relatively clearly implies opposition).

Therefore, the opposite of "dumb-ass" would be "smart-elbow".
Since this phrase is nonsensical, the attempt to reconcile the contradiction by fuller application of the function is disproved.

Comments

Re: tangent

[goldenstag.livejournal.com]

Well, no matter what else you can say, the schools there are pretty good, and folk are generally pretty well educated.