# Fun with "data" (Well, "fun" if you are interested in word usage) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 25, 2017, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-data-well-fun-if-you-are-interested-in-word-usage/785250 "2017-04-25T23:46:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-data-well-fun-if-you-are-interested-in-word-usage/785250/21 "2017-04-28T00:55:28Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > In discussing airplanes, the word “datum” is used to mean “a (more-or-less) arbitrarily-chosen reference point” from which various places in the aircraft are measured… The use of datum to mean a reference from which things are measured is more widespread, e.g. > **[Geodetic datum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geodetic_datum)** > > A geodetic datum or geodetic system (also: geodetic reference datum, geodetic reference system, or geodetic reference frame) is a global datum reference or reference frame for precisely representing the position of locations on Earth or other planetary bodies by means of geodetic coordinates. Datums\[note 1\] are crucial to any technology or technique based on spatial location, including geodesy, navigation, surveying, geographic information systems, remote sensing, and cartography. A horizontal Be... And of course, the plural of this kind of datum is surely _datums_, e.g. from the Wiki article > [@](#): > > Datums are used in geodesy, navigation, and surveying… ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-data-well-fun-if-you-are-interested-in-word-usage/785250/22 "2017-04-28T00:57:38Z")
P.S. (Missed edit window): The above Center-of-Gravity example is for illustrative purposes only! Don’t rely on this if you plan to fly your own G-103! I just noticed a gruesome 1-digit typo in the numbers. The front seat is actually at -44.57", not -14.57 ! ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-data-well-fun-if-you-are-interested-in-word-usage/785250/23 "2017-04-28T00:58:41Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > The use of datum to mean a reference from which things are measured is more widespread, e.g. > [Geodetic datum - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geodetic_datum) > > And of course, the plural of this kind of datum is surely _datums_, e.g. from the Wiki article AHA! Ignorance fought! I didn’t know that. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-data-well-fun-if-you-are-interested-in-word-usage/785250/24 "2017-04-28T01:02:02Z")
(Please note that I supported my contention that the plural of datum is datums with data.) ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-data-well-fun-if-you-are-interested-in-word-usage/785250/25 "2017-04-28T02:01:19Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > (Please note that I supported my contention that the plural of datum is datums with data.) Is “data” the same as a reference cite comprising a sentence from an article? Let’s see what [dictionary.com](http://dictionary.com) says. > [@](#): > > noun > > 1. a plural of datum. > > 2. (used with a plural verb) individual facts, statistics, or items of information: > These data represent the results of our analyses. Data are entered by terminal for immediate processing by the computer. > > 3. (used with a singular verb) a body of facts; information: > Additional data is available from the president of the firm. This is interesting, I should have looked this up before posting this thread. So the word “data” has a somewhat different meaning depending on whether you use a plural verb or a singular verb. Rather like my earlier reference to things that can be counted (individual facts or statistics) and things that can be measured (a body of facts or information). “Data” is perhaps unusual in that it can represent both kinds of things. And it appears, **Riemann** , that your use of the word is accurate per #3 if we substitute either “body of facts” or “information.” ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-data-well-fun-if-you-are-interested-in-word-usage/785250/26 "2017-04-28T02:05:20Z")
So, we know: (1) The plural of “datum” is datums. (2) The plural of “anecdote” is not data. Surely data must be the plural of _something_? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-data-well-fun-if-you-are-interested-in-word-usage/785250.md?page=1)