This is a really odd phrase. Apples and oranges have lots of similarities that make comparison of the two both possible and justifiable. They're both somewhat round, they're both fruit, they both grow on trees, etc. Wouldn't this phrase make more sense if the two things compared were indeed completely different?
2006-10-03 16:28:55 · 9 answers · asked by Ella Minnow Pea 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Comparing apples and oranges is about superfical similarities. Yes, they are round fruit. The British expression is "chalk and cheese". Both are good sources of calcium.
Can you apply mathematical relationships?
apple = orange: no
apple < orange: no
5 apples + 3 oranges = 5 apples + 3 oranges
Do not substitute oranges for apples in pie recipes.
2006-10-03 16:45:51 · answer #1 · answered by novangelis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One is citrus and has a skin that must be pealed to eat it.
The other is not citrus and can be eaten with skin.
The fruit is of a different texture in each, the apple is not segmented, but the orange is.
I think they didn't want things completely different to be compared, because it is used when the possibility of confusion as to whether they are the same or not does exist, and the saying sorts it out fast. So you can get on with your argument and not stuck in one segment of it. This helps people who enjoy argumentation, almost as a sport.
2006-10-03 16:33:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The phrase comes from the computation of the domestic national product in which they compare all products to establish their relative value in dollars and cents. It just so happens that agricultural products are the first grouping of products compared. So, apples and oranges came to mind espially since the fall in as fruits and as juices.
2006-10-03 19:41:59 · answer #3 · answered by LORD Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've always understood the phrase to refer to qualitative features. Is one any better than the other? Nope. Apples and oranges are different from one another but equally valid, useful, tasty, etc.
2006-10-03 17:32:40 · answer #4 · answered by j14456um 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means the origin of both is same ( trees ), their label is same ( fruit ) but their taste and features are different. This is the same when one views opinions of different kinds, with some differences and some similarities
2006-10-03 16:46:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the statement refers to the differences in the apples and oranges not what they have in common. No matter what you do they can never be the same.
2006-10-03 17:06:42 · answer #6 · answered by twentyeight7 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is just another stupid saying that does not compute. It's like your driveway-you park your car there you don,t really drive on it.
2006-10-03 16:34:59 · answer #7 · answered by Tneciter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
since everyone is unique you can't compare....
you will understand this with other answers
2006-10-03 17:21:52 · answer #8 · answered by think 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
huh
2006-10-03 17:29:25 · answer #9 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋