2006-08-21 10:52:08 · 18 answers · asked by battleleader12 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Trivia
It is an oxymoron and people fall into using these through them passing into general usage by the ignorant popularising them.
2006-08-25 02:39:21 · answer #1 · answered by galopin_1872 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In wire manufacture there is a bend test. This involves taking a straight piece of wire, clamping it in the middle and bending one end back and forth, through 180^ until it breaks. The more bends, the better the quality.
The point is this:
When you bend the wire to the right it ends up with a 90^ angle in it; when you bend it through 180^ to the left it ends up with a 90^ angle in it; if you stop half-way through the second bend it is in the upright straight position again even though it is halfway through a bend.
Bending is the action NOT the result. The idea that bending can only result in a bend is a misapprehension, a deliberate or accidental misunderstanding of the full meaning.
BTW: it is possible to take quite serious curves out of wire by pulling it between the thumb and finger at a precise angle while applying pressure with the two digits, leaving no kinks.
2006-08-21 11:21:57 · answer #2 · answered by narkypoon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Then how come my tent peg is straight now? It's because I bent it back into its correct shape, which was straight. I bent it straight.It's a bit like saying "straighten the bend." Paradoxes are cool.
2006-08-21 11:03:26 · answer #3 · answered by Chubby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard this expression, but I would assume that you would be trying to straighten something which is bent by bending it the other way.
2006-08-21 11:04:32 · answer #4 · answered by Purple 8 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's a quest to get as close back to basic as possible.
Most people try to right a ship, when it's impossible too, but you can reaqquire your course, albeit, without a complete loop, you'll not be back on true course.
2006-08-21 11:01:28 · answer #5 · answered by steveraven 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I never heard anyone say anything except "straighten it." Where did you hear "bend it straight?"
2006-08-21 11:45:34 · answer #6 · answered by Sherry K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you drive on the parkway,
and park in the driveway
have a pair of jeans ( how many?)
and bend it straight.
Welcome to english at its best today
2006-08-21 11:01:10 · answer #7 · answered by cowgurl_bareback 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no they say bend it back straight makes sense to me . why are there so many snobs on this site
2006-08-21 12:33:26 · answer #8 · answered by keny 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it's not when it's bendable. Now if you're talking about so straight that you don't see any ripples then yes you are right, technically speaking, of course.
2006-08-21 11:00:59 · answer #9 · answered by peg 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if it's already bent, then you can bend it straight again.
2006-08-21 10:59:50 · answer #10 · answered by TK 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋