# Just do the math, idiot! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 9, 2001, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-do-the-math-idiot/75559 "2001-08-09T05:07:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-do-the-math-idiot/75559/21 "2001-08-09T19:34:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Pnuk Guy \* > \*\*Dilbert Sketch: (paraphrased) > > Cashier: That’ll be $2.79 > Dilbert: I’ll give you $4.36 to make the change easier. > Cashier: er… > Dilbert: Sometimes I wonder how the world would survive without Engineers. > > he he he. \*\* The original amounts were $1.89 for the purchase, for which Dilbert wanted to pay $7.14 so he’d get $5.25 back. People like that should be shot. Robin ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-do-the-math-idiot/75559/22 "2001-08-09T19:42:52Z")
[pet peeve] Do they actually make reference materials with masturbatory aids attached? [/pet peeve] Zette ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-do-the-math-idiot/75559/23 "2001-08-09T20:34:11Z")
> [@](#): > > According to Merriam Webster online, “to” is a preposition that is “-- used as a function word to indicate that the following verb is an infinitive \.” In the quote above, “to” is not attached to a verb, and exactly which verb was intended to complete the infinitive is not immediately obvious. Thus, “to” is a preposition that is not properly attached to an object or a verb. It is a dangling preposition. \*\* Yup, I read that too, but I interpreted it to mean that “to” is not strictly a preposition when used in this sense. In our specific example, I would call it an idiomatic ellipsis: [Would] anyone care to enlighten me? I would love to. The separation of infinitive and verb is merely a consequence of the fact that we’re on a message board, and there were intervening messages. Note also my insertion of the omitted, elliptical _would_ from the original post. This is casual conversation here, not someone’s doctoral dissertation. I wouldn’t sweat the original usage in either case. Boy, I’ll take any excuse to avoid actual work today. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-do-the-math-idiot/75559/24 "2001-08-09T21:42:23Z")
MsRobin: > [@](#): > > The original amounts were $1.89 for the purchase, for which Dilbert wanted to pay $7.14 so he’d get $5.25 back. People like that should be shot. At least it makes more sense than giving $$.36 for a $2.79 purchase. I would’ve looked at him blankly for a bit, too, though. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-do-the-math-idiot/75559/25 "2001-08-09T22:18:36Z")
I plead **Gaudere’s Rule**! Thanks for the grammar lessons, though. I’m stronger in spelling than grammar. Oh, about the OP - I give the cashiers at Safeway just about any amount, they punch it in the register, and the automatic change giver-outer shoots change my way. No problem. Too bad not everything in life is this stress-free (like, for example, pointing out a spelling mistake). 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-do-the-math-idiot/75559/26 "2001-08-09T22:37:46Z")
Thanks, folks. I now have chi-san-pup running through my head. Worse than hearing “Pop goes the weasel!” ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2001, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-do-the-math-idiot/75559/27 "2001-08-10T00:58:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Finagle \* > So, to summarize, you’re doing something mildly weird. The cashier is attempting to find some context in which your actions make sense, rather than acting like a complete robot. I think you’re the one at fault here. Explain what you’re doing and why you’re doing it and things will magically become much easier in your life. How is that weird, even mildly so? The Quest for Quarters is not an obscure goal. Hell, I’ve known people to give and/or get them as birthday or Christmas gifts. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2001, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-do-the-math-idiot/75559/28 "2001-08-10T02:41:57Z")
I’ve Quested for Quarters in my time too, but I always accompanied it by an “I need quarters for the laundry” or something similar so that the cashier doesn’t have to intuit what my desires are. If I were a cashier and someone handed me three dollars and five pennies for a $2.30 charge, my first thought would be that they misheard me when I told them how much. (This would especially true if I didn’t notice that it was three dollars rather than two.) It’s no big deal. I’m just thinking that a very little communication would make the transaction run smoother. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-do-the-math-idiot/75559.md?page=1)