Does anyone know what this picture on an AP Physics t-shirt means?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers around the meaning of a graphic on an AP Physics t-shirt depicting three animals in a cardboard box with the text "Yo?" The term "Yo" is interpreted as both a Spanish pronoun meaning "I" and a mathematical notation "Y sub o," which is commonly used in physics and mathematics. Participants suggest various interpretations, including a play on words involving "Why not?" and the possibility of the animals being misidentified as otters or skinks. The conversation highlights the humorous and multifaceted nature of the graphic's meaning.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics and mathematics terminology, specifically subscripts.
  • Familiarity with Spanish language basics, particularly the pronoun "Yo."
  • Knowledge of animal identification, particularly distinguishing between otters and skinks.
  • Awareness of wordplay and puns in language interpretation.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the significance of subscripts in physics and mathematics, focusing on "Y sub o."
  • Explore the cultural implications of language in humor, particularly in bilingual contexts.
  • Investigate the biology and characteristics of otters versus skinks.
  • Study the role of visual puns in educational materials, especially in science-related apparel.
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Students and educators in physics, language enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the intersection of humor and science in educational contexts.

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Hunter Hammonds said:
I found this picture on an AP Physics t-shirt years ago and always wanted to know what it meant. Thanks.

Erg, I can't get the picture to load but the shirt is a picture of three otters in a cardboard box and on the outside of the box it says "Yo?" Like Y sub o? Any help is appreciated.
 
I think I can make a little sense of it. "Yo" is Spanish for "I" (me). In math and physics, "Y" sub "o" means "Y" subscript "o" (## Y_o ##). (Physics and math use a lot of subscripts, e.g. ## r_o ##, ## g_o ## , and these would be called "r" sub "o" and "g" sub "o", etc.). "Yo" can also be an exclamation, so the "Yo" has multiple meanings. The 3rd meaning, the mathematical one, is "Y" sub "o".
 
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The link gives me an error, but, yeah Charles' deduction makes sense...aw, I want to see the shirt now.
 
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ProfuselyQuarky said:
The link gives me an error, but, yeah Charles deduction makes sense...aw, I want to see the shirt now.
I got a similar error. This has my curiosity=yes, I would also enjoy seeing the shirt.
 
Charles Link said:
I got a similar error. This has my curiosity=yes, I would also enjoy seeing the shirt.
Yo quiero ver la camiseta !

(sorry I couldn't help myself)
 
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let's see if this helps any.
 

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three otters in a cardboard box and on the outside of the box it says "Yo?" Like Y sub o? Any help is appreciated.

I am suspecting they are not otters but rather moles or as a play on words mols, in chemistry
I'm no a chemist so cannot put the rest of it together

with that info, some one else may do so
Dave
 
Perhaps it's to be read, "Why not?" In some drawls this sounds like Y nought? (Y zero)
 
  • #10
As NascentOxygen points out in English Y0 would typically be pronounced "why not".

I suspect someone was trying to draw skinks not otters. A skink is a type of lizard.

So the picture would have a meaning along the lines of "Why not skink (think) outside the box?"
 
  • #11
Otters mistaken for skinks? That's quite a stretch! :smile:

Looking
otter = outa
the box
---Why not?


Or perhaps otter = oughta (ought to)
Oughta look outside the box. Why not?
 
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  • #12
NascentOxygen said:
Otters mistaken for skinks? That's quite a stretch? :smile:

uh huh ... more likely otters or moles never seen a lizard looking like that

NascentOxygen said:
why not?
look
otter = outa
the box
worthy translation :smile:
D
 
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  • #13
Why not Gopher it?



Or, how about, "Why not un-SEAL the box?"
 
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