| Author |
Message |
    
redY67
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 171
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - 7:01 pm: | 
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Okay, we are having a little argument at work about whether or not Jumbo Shrimp is an oxymoron or not. So if everyone could vote whether or not they believe it is an oxymoron or not, I would appreciate it! Thanks! |
greeneyes
Citizen
Username: Greeneyes
Post Number: 417
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - 7:10 pm: |
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Oxymoronlist.com list "Jumbo Shrimp" as their number 3 of top 20 oxymorons. |
cody
Citizen
Username: Cody
Post Number: 431
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - 7:16 pm: |
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I don't think it is, because in that context "shrimp" doesn't pertain to size, but to the name of an object. The object (shrimp) can be of a small, medium or large size.
Reminds me of the arguments I used to have with my mother about whether or not one could have a "whole half" of something. She claimed a half, by definition, could not be a whole, while my dad and I said that a "whole half" was a complete half of the total object, not 49.5% or 50.3% - we never have resolved that one! |
redY67
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 173
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - 7:30 pm: |
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greeneyes thank you! I can't wait to show him that!
Cody-- He was arguing the same point. |
sac
Citizen
Username: Sac
Post Number: 776
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - 7:56 pm: |
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Many of the well known Oxymorons are similar to the "Jumbo Shrimp" one ... i.e. playing on multiple meanings of the words, so nothing wrong with that.
I daresay that the origin of the meaning of shrimp related to size is not completely divorced from the (generally smallish) sea creature anyway. |
patty
Citizen
Username: Patty
Post Number: 389
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - 10:23 pm: |
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Now jumbo prawns would be the more appropriate gastronomic offering, and meet the criterion, Department of Redundancy Department-wise, if not oxymoronic. |
Tom Reingold the prissy-pants
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 1035
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 4:10 pm: |
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I agree that "whole half" is redundant.
Where is that list of oxymorons I used to keep?
Graduate student
Military intelligence
Cafeteria food
My favorite: Common Sense!
Tom Reingold
There is nothing
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ml1
Citizen
Username: Ml1
Post Number: 1358
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 9:30 pm: |
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"He man drag
In the glittering ballroom
Gravely outrageous
In my high heel shoes
Tightly undone
They know what they're showing
Sadly ecstatic
That their heroes are news."
|
Phil
Citizen
Username: Barleyrooty
Post Number: 720
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 6:47 am: |
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For those too busy to click greeneyes link:
20. Government Organization
19. Alone Together
18. Personal Computer
17. Silent Scream
16. Living Dead
15. Same Difference
14. Taped Live
13. Plastic Glasses
12. Tight Slacks
11. Peace Force
10. Pretty Ugly
9. Head Butt
8. Working Vacation
7. Tax Return
6. Virtual Reality
5. Dodge Ram
4. Work Party
3. Jumbo Shrimp
2. Healthy Tan
1. Microsoft Works |
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