Parkway/Driveway type questions

Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports
1

I was trying to create a new thread for a new topic but I couldn’t find the place to do it!! Hopefully this can get moved from here.

I am looking for the name of these types of questions/thoughts…

Examples:

  • Why do you drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?
  • Why is it that kidnapping is a federal offense, while catnapping is merely an enjoyable pastime?

Surely there must be a name for these? Like oxymorons, chiastisms etc.

Thanks!
Cissa

2

[QUOTE=cissa]
Surely there must be a name for these? Like oxymorons, chiastisms etc.
[/QUOTE]

Yes, there is a name for these. They are called stupid questions.

3

I’ve split these two posts off the other thread and moved them to a new one. You can start new threads by clicking on the “new thread” button on the forum page

Also, a link to the column you’re commenting on is appeciated. The one in question is http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_080.html

To answer your query, such questions are called Questions Cecil Refuses to Answer, “crackbrain questions,” or judging from the URL, “lame questions.”

4

[QUOTE=bibliophage]
I’ve split these two posts off the other thread and moved them to a new one. You can start new threads by clicking on the “new thread” button on the forum page

Also, a link to the column you’re commenting on is appeciated. The one in question is http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_080.html

To answer your query, such questions are called Questions Cecil Refuses to Answer, “crackbrain questions,” or judging from the URL, “lame questions.”
[/QUOTE]

I suppose you could add to the list of Questions Cecil Refuses to Answer, “Why won’t Cecil answer these questions?” :wink:

5

What’s that white stuff in bird poop?

What’s big and blue, and eats rocks?

What’s long and brown and sticky?

What’s this long, brown, sticky thing on my Driveway?

The spillway is over there, by the peterfor. Why did you spill on the the henway?

6

Goods sent by road are called a ship-ment.
Goods sent by water are called a car-go.

Noses run and feet smell.

7

When I see these questions, I think of George Carlin. They have always been parts of his comedy routines and his books. But I never thought of them as serious questions at all. They are just a way to point out the inconsistencies of the English language.

8

Why are they called apartments when they’re all stuck together?

Why are they called buildings when they should be called builts?

If vegetarians eat vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?

(one could, of course, go on)

9

Why do they serve French bread in Italian restaurants?

10

If people who speak the language of the Angles are called Anglophones, what does that make people who speak the language of the Saxons?