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why do people say bend it straight ! when thats impossible?
18 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
It is an oxymoron and people fall into using these through them passing into general usage by the ignorant popularising them.
- 1 decade ago
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.
Source(s): 13 years as Technologist in high tensile steel wire. - 1 decade ago
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.
- Purple 8Lv 41 decade ago
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.
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- 1 decade ago
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.
Source(s): general terminology - Sherry KLv 51 decade ago
I never heard anyone say anything except "straighten it." Where did you hear "bend it straight?"
- 1 decade ago
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
- kenyLv 61 decade ago
no they say bend it back straight makes sense to me . why are there so many snobs on this site
Source(s): thanks narkypoon get em told some people have always got to be patronising - pegLv 51 decade ago
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.
