Great one-liners from PF members

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Discussion Overview

This thread invites members to share and discuss humorous or insightful one-liners from Physics Forums, highlighting wit and cleverness in responses related to various topics in physics, mathematics, and science in general. The scope includes pithy remarks, humorous exchanges, and notable quotes from members, as well as some commentary on broader themes in science and reasoning.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants share one-liners that reflect humor in scientific discussions, such as comments on relativity and the limitations of crayons.
  • One participant notes the irony in the assertion that "thinking outside the box" requires understanding what is inside it.
  • Another humorous remark discusses the absurdity of "table/pillow duality" in relation to everyday objects.
  • A quote from a departed member emphasizes that interesting scientific questions often arise amidst conflicting ideas.
  • Several participants share humorous takes on homeopathy, including a quip about overdosing on homeopathic medication.
  • One exchange humorously highlights the redundancy of stating that wood is as strong as wood.
  • A participant reflects on the challenges of estimating forces in a humorous context, suggesting a light-hearted take on serious topics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share humorous observations and witty remarks, but there is no consensus on the validity or implications of the statements made, particularly regarding homeopathy and scientific reasoning.

Contextual Notes

Some remarks may rely on specific contexts or definitions that are not fully explored, such as the nature of homeopathic remedies and their purported effects. Additionally, the humor in some exchanges may depend on shared knowledge of prior discussions or scientific concepts.

  • #361
pinball1970 said:
Yes. I'm not sure how they would do it.
As this is specific probably nominate best three posts to all, then Greg does his stuff and presents us with a poll.
We can help out in that. We, the members, would post in this thread the one-liners we like from other threads. Then the staff can pick out ("nominate") the ones with most number of reactions. There can be different scores for reactions: 👍 can be 1 point, while 😍 can be 2 points. Then we will vote as usual and pick the best one-liner of the year.

This will, then, be the only category where the ordinary members of PF will do the primary nominations.
 
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  • #362
All this sounds like just more extra work for the moderators / Greg and with very little benefit.
 
  • #363
phinds said:
All this sounds like just more extra work for the moderators / Greg and with very little benefit.

In case it is not clear, I am calling this by @phinds a "great one-liner"
 
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  • #364
pbuk said:
The best way to go faster is to watch people who are faster than you.
From a thread about sailboats, but applicable almost everywhere by substituting smarter, more knowledgeable, etc for faster.
 
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  • #365
gmax137 said:
In case it is not clear, I am calling this by @phinds a "great one-liner"
Yes Phinds reaction to my suggestion of introducing an award for best one liner.
Ironically he would have been in with a good shout for the category.
 
  • #366
Please do not ask me where this is from... :wink:

hutchphd said:
So don't make toast in the tub.
 
  • #367
 
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  • #368
Not posted on PF, but written by @mjc123 :
There is nothing magical about an octet. (Apart from Schubert's.)
 
  • #369
PeroK said:
dom_quixote said:
Infinite numeric intervals are permissible in mathematics. But infinite temporal intervals, eternity itself, is a matter of theology
Mathematics, thankfully, is not constrained by theology. Let $$t \in (-\infty, \infty)$$
 
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  • #370
Vanadium 50 said:

That is not actually making toast though. That is just throwing a toaster into the tub.
At least this guy made an attempt.FOUR slices no less. EDIT: On further inspection the device in your post was not a toaster, it was a Ghetto blaster.
 
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  • #371
As many people have said about one thing or another here on PF, usually with more words,
Dale said:
Nature doesn’t provide definitions for words.
 
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  • #372
phinds said:
As many people have said about one thing or another here on PF, usually with more words,
Dale said:
Nature doesn’t provide definitions for words.
Sauerei.
 
  • #373
Wrichik Basu said:
The most difficult part of constructing a perpetual motion machine is hiding the batteries.
I love that one :smile:
 
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  • #374
From the Natural Disaster thread:

Nugatory said:
Preparing for a hurricane is like being stalked by a turtle.
 
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  • #375
SammyS said:
@fresh_42 seemed happy with the the effort in this thread and he's not all that easy to please.
 
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  • #376
(technically 2 lines) While addressing Elizabeth Holmes' biomedical company...

Vanadium 50 said:
Her idea worked. It was designed to separate people from their money - sort of wallet chromotography - the green parts go flying out, leaving the empty husk behind.
 
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  • #377
CrysPhys said:
OP: If you want to keep your options as open as possible, you should major in religious studies. When you need to make a decision, you can seek divine guidance. The evolution of this thread indicates that human guidance isn't sufficient for you.
@CrysPhys big oof.

I can relate to the OP of that thread though. Analysis Paralysis and whatnot.
 
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  • #378
jbriggs444 said:
"Should" butters no parsnips.
Love that. Is it a common aphorism? I have not heard it before.
 
  • #379
gmax137 said:
Love that. Is it a common aphorism? I have not heard it before.
Not common. But I heard "butters no parsnips" a few times during my youth.
 
  • #380
jbriggs444 said:
Not common. But I heard "butters no parsnips" a few times during my youth.
I think I recall my grandmother saying that in the 50's but have not heard it since.
 
  • #381
gmax137 said:
Love that. Is it a common aphorism? I have not heard it before.
Curry favour is the closest thing I think of.
 
  • #382
gmax137 said:
Love that. Is it a common aphorism? I have not heard it before.
At least I found it in a dictionary on a German translation website.
1666631495202.png
 
  • #384
No I got the wrong thing. In the UK you can metaphorically "butter someone up."
 
  • #385
pinball1970 said:
No I got the wrong thing. In the UK you can metaphorically "butter someone up."
Ahh, that makes more sense now. We "butter people up" on this side of the pond as well.
 
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  • #386
We say "butter to the fishes" if we demand supporting facts.
 
  • #387
jbriggs444 said:
Ahh, that makes more sense now. We "butter people up" on this side of the pond as well.
So what came first? The person or the parsnip?
 
  • #388
gmax137 said:
Love that. Is it a common aphorism? I have not heard it before.
A bit oldie, used to be a common saying. I don't know how commonly people eat parsnips any more - as I remember nobody really liked them.
 
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  • #389
fresh_42 said:
We say "butter to the fishes" if we demand supporting facts.
Is that a "we" German or Mathematics?
I have a frail grasp on both, stick butter in and my hold is gone.
 
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  • #390
epenguin said:
A bit oldie, used to be a common saying. I don't know how commonly people eat parsnips any more - as I remember nobody really liked them.
... which is why butter is desperately needed, I guess. Somehow the traditional version of "In case of doubt add bacon (optional: cheese)!"
 

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