# No, no, no Seven is not even **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 24, 2024, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164 "2024-08-24T23:06:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/21 "2024-08-26T17:51:02Z")
You can break one of the toothpicks in half. Stick with coins. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/22 "2024-08-26T17:52:55Z")
Beck, what’s with your knowing ASL? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/23 "2024-08-26T17:55:11Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > You can break one of the toothpicks in half. That would be fine. We then introduce into her education the concept of fractions, and then point out that the concept of “even” and “odd” numbers applies only to integers. Win-win, and learning moves forward! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/24 "2024-08-26T17:57:09Z")
With all due respect to Beck, a grandchild of hers is going to be working on a way out of the problem rather than understanding a numerical concept. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/25 "2024-08-26T19:41:42Z")
I don’t speak with my voice often. I have an impediment that caused stuttering and confusion (in my syntax). It’s easier with my family and friends for me to do brief ASL. Especially when there’s a group. I hear fine. I’m just quiet. Funny, tho’, usually I can talk comfortably with the kids, pets and a few trusted adults. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/26 "2024-08-26T20:21:44Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > Grandma isn’t like toothpicks. You’ve obviously never seen her. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/27 "2024-08-26T22:25:44Z")
Hey, I resemble that statement! ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/28 "2024-08-27T14:30:06Z")
> **[seven | Etymology of seven by etymonline](https://www.etymonline.com/word/seven)** > > "1 more than six; the cardinal number which is one more than six; a symbol representing… See origin and meaning of seven. Etymology of the word. No “even” except in Dutch. The word isn’t the thing. “Educate” has “cat” in it but isn’t a cat. I once worked with a kid who wanted to learn a little Latin after peering over my shoulder while I was doing my own homework. The sentence in my textbook was “Lesbia filia Cornelia” (Lesbia [is] Cornelia’s daughter). The kid says, “So they’re lesbians.” I asked how she arrived at that, and she said, “Because she feels Cornelia!” ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/29 "2024-08-27T15:03:35Z")
Ok. She will have to “ask a parent(not a grand~ one)” for that talk. Kids be weird. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/30 "2024-08-27T15:07:40Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > She, a little louder sez, “Nana, seven is _even_ says so right in its name.” How did she do with “eleven”? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/31 "2024-08-27T15:21:47Z")
I didn’t ask. I actually thought of it at the time. Didn’t want to add to the conversation. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/32 "2024-08-27T15:27:29Z")
While you’re there, be sure to explain that _seven_ and _several_ are not the same thing (well, except when they are, but they are not guaranteed to be the same value). ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/33 "2024-08-27T15:36:39Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I actually thought of it at the time. And you said you don’t do math. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/34 "2024-08-27T16:55:43Z")
I usually explain to kids that even numbers divide by 2 with no remainder. 3 gum drops. I give the kid 2 then there’s 1 remaining. 7 gum drops, give three kids 2 pieces each. There’s 1 remaining. **Odd** Start with six peppermint candies. Give 2 each to three kids. Hey! Nothing remaining. All gone. **Even** That’s the simplest way I could explain it to a child. But they would have a huge sugar rush afterwards. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/35 "2024-08-27T21:02:57Z")
Well, I do know how to spell. Not that you’d know it by my typo count on the Dope. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/36 "2024-08-27T21:04:08Z")
Yeah, no. I don’t do candy. I’m not that grand-parent. ---
**Author:** ![Kitten\_Mitten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b782af/32.png) [@Kitten\_Mitten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitten_Mitten)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/37 "2024-08-27T21:47:06Z")
Cookies? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/38 "2024-08-27T22:46:50Z")
She totally understands the numeral 7. She will be age 7 soon. Believe you me she knows that number. It’s the **word** seven that bugged her. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2024, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/39 "2024-08-28T17:25:03Z")
> [@susan](#): > > “Educate” has “cat” in it but isn’t a cat. This would be an excellent counter-point for the O.P. to present to her granddaughter. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2024, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164/40 "2024-08-28T18:03:25Z")
> [@susan](#): > > “Educate” has “cat” in it but isn’t a cat. ![](https://i.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExZ3Y1bzViMHdhY3N2Y2E3MnV5d2pveW1zNGlycXBzaGRuNmI3cmsxbiZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/yTzwdWHe1VxQt4sfiD/giphy.gif) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-no-no-seven-is-not-even/1006164.md?page=3)