Why do people use that saying when they actually mean that things are difficult to determine?
What's so difficult to determine about a string's length? Straighten the string, measure the distance from one end to the other. Simple, right?
2006-09-19 20:29:36 · 23 answers · asked by k² 6 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
<>Actually, the phrase is indicating that there is not enough information to arrive at an answer to the problem. By asking "How long is a piece of (unknown length) string?" one is indicating that they do not the knowledge required to solve the problem.
2006-09-19 20:39:54 · answer #1 · answered by druid 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No it is not simple. think about a piece of string. It is one length when you lay it out straight. okay then it can stretch to another length , then when you let the tension off it will again be a different length. It also depends on what it is made from what lengths this will all go to.
. If it took a piece of string 5 inches long to go around a wheel to hold something snug. then when you put tension on it, it stretches, then it is no longer snug. but you can't use a different length of string because then it would not be able to be placed on the wheel in the first place.
A piece of string is not just a piece of string.
I go with another old saying about string and in context with difficulties.
I work and work and try to make ends meet and then someone moves the end!
2006-09-19 20:44:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
How long is a piece of string?
That is difficult to determine?
It's easier to say How long is a piece of string though because it has less letters!!
2006-09-19 22:29:57 · answer #3 · answered by libbyft 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is because you can get string at any length therefore without asking for a specific size or unless you measure it you don't know what it will be. An indeterminable answer or one that can change to whoever asks it.
2006-09-19 20:41:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
2 Points
2006-09-19 20:34:51 · answer #5 · answered by Pauline 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It all depends from the point of view.
Cut the string...measure...stretch the string if it stretches...measure....not the same as at first.
See what I mean?
2006-09-19 22:59:22 · answer #6 · answered by Ylia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you will find that it came from medieval days when the hangman had to get the right piece or rope/string so the person died without two much trouble and each one was different.
2006-09-19 20:37:59 · answer #7 · answered by vmaddams 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
because every piece of string is a different length so who can say how long a piece is
2006-09-19 20:33:28 · answer #8 · answered by Jane S 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes but it maybe a rope then where are you?
What is it that determins weather it is rope or string?
Oh i'm all confused now!
2006-09-19 20:41:21 · answer #9 · answered by philipscottbrooks 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A piece of string is about that long.
And I agree with you, up to a point.
2006-09-19 20:40:16 · answer #10 · answered by Simon D 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋