How can you tell the difference between a scientist and a plumber?

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solaria123@reddit

Wow, that goes back to the "What's my line" days. I think it was Isaac Asimov that suggested that question to differentiate a chemist. maybe sometime in the 60's?

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SwampFocs@reddit

Automoderator: opportunity for education: did you mean "is that better"?

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AutoModerator@reddit

/u/solaria123 has unlocked an opportunity for education!

Abbreviated date-ranges like "’90s" are contractions, so the apostrophe goes before the numbers.

You can also completely omit the apostrophe if you want: "The 90s were a bit weird."

Numeric date-ranges like 1890s are treated like standard nouns, so they shouldn't include apostrophes.

To show possession, the apostrophe should go after the S: "That was the ’90s’ best invention."

The apostrophe should only precede the S if a specific year is being discussed: "It was 1990's hottest month."

TL;DR: When writing dates, apostrophes do not pluralize!

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whyamihere999@reddit

Is un-ionised even a word?
I graduated in chemistry back in 2012. Deionized is a word. But I don't remember un-ionized. Un-ionized would really mean neutral.

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cryptotope@reddit

I would tend to use it as adjective meaning "could be ionized, but isn't". (And usually to contrast with 'other stuff in the system that is ionized'.)

"After the electric discharge, ionized gas molecules are drawn toward the cathode, while the remaining unionized gas is largely unaffected...."

"Autoionization in pure liquid water is a dynamic equilibrium between hydronium and hydroxide ions and a large excess of unionized water."

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You are correct. The correct version would not be funny, thoght. There's nothing wrong with a little manipulation with words in order to get them to line up properly - and I've got a poem to prove that!

The Dog Ogden Nash (1902–1971)

The truth I do not stretch or shove, When I state that the dog is full of love. I’ve also found, by actual test, A wet dog is the lovingest.

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sharpiemontblanc@reddit

Thank you. I’ve never encountered this gem before. I love it.

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Motion_Means4501@reddit

Didn't know that one or get it either. That's pretty good. Up votes here.

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epolonsky@reddit

It helps if you specify “chemist” rather than scientist. An academic anthropologist might still go with union-ized

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sdarkpaladin@reddit

We know OP is a plumber because they're all "scientist" to him

/Joking

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gamedogmillionaire@reddit

Well, a chemist would more likely say “non-ionized”

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berserk539@reddit

This guy sciences

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Unlucky-Put4702@reddit

What a strange bird it is, the pelican Its beak holds more than its belly can

O Nash.

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hadji828@reddit

The poem “A wonderful bird is the pelican” is often mistakenly attributed to Ogden Nash, but was actually written by Dixon Lanier Merritt (1879-1972). Merritt, the editor of the Tennessean, was inspired to write the poem after a friend visited Florida.

Oh, a wondrous bird is the pelican! His bill holds more than his belican. He can take in his beak Enough food for a week. But I’m darned if I know how the helican...

--Dixon Lanier Merritt

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