# Whats the deal with the number 41? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 26, 2000, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874 "2000-07-26T05:34:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Rain\_Soaked](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19adc/32.png) [@Rain\_Soaked](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rain_Soaked)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/61 "2012-06-01T21:09:19Z")
In 2000, when this thread was started I was 41 years old!!! Well, not really but I am sure someone was 41 then. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/62 "2012-06-01T21:28:57Z")
The scariest thing about this thread was that as soon as I saw it I thought “that’s a zombie – I remember that thread.” Twelve years later, and I remember the guy who kept seeing the number 41. Looking at my join date, it had to be one of the very first threads I ever read. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2012, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/63 "2012-06-01T21:53:46Z")
Me, too. ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/64 "2012-06-01T22:00:14Z")
Number of characters in the alphabet: 26. Numeric digits 0-9: 10. The month this thread was reopened by a post that uses alphanumeric characters, (May): 5. 26+10+5= 41! How could this have been going on right under our noses for all this time? ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/65 "2012-06-01T22:58:33Z")
The association of the number “41” FOR SOME PEOPLE is because they are LOSERS who just don’t get “42.” ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Bartman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Bartman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bartman)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/66 "2012-06-01T22:59:05Z")
> [@Rain\_Soaked](#): > > In 2000, when this thread was started I was 41 years old!!! > > Well, not really but I am sure someone was 41 then. In 17 days I’ll be 41. What are the odds? ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/67 "2012-06-02T00:11:30Z")
The magic number isn’t 41; it is 43. Back in the day when McDonald’s sold chicken McNuggets in boxes of 6, 9, and 20, you could not buy 43, but that was the largest number you could not buy. ---
**Author:** ![steviep24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@steviep24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steviep24)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/68 "2012-06-02T01:41:51Z")
41 is on my Lotto ticket. Does this mean I win? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/69 "2012-06-02T02:02:41Z")
Hexagram 41: Decrease _Decrease combined with Sincerity Brings about Supreme Good Fortune. Without Blame. One may be persevering in this. It furthers one to undertake something. How is this to be carried out? One may use two small bowls for the sacrifice._ At the foot of the Mountain, the Lake; The Image of Decrease. Thus the Superior Man controls his anger And restrains his instinct. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/70 "2012-06-02T02:08:56Z")
41 is half of 82, and you know what that means. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/71 "2012-06-02T10:12:17Z")
> [@steviep24](#): > > 41 is on my Lotto ticket. Does this mean I win? 🙂 Yes. Feel free to collect your winnings from anyone who isn’t paying attention. ---
**Author:** ![szabrocki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@szabrocki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/szabrocki)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/72 "2012-06-02T11:55:35Z")
Maybe there is something to 666/41=16.24 Matthew 16.24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Apple Sold 16.24 Million iPhones [http://www.redmondpie.com/apple-sold-16.24-million-iphone-7.33-million-ipads-19.45-million-ipods-and-made-26.74-billion-revenue-in-q1-2011/](http://www.redmondpie.com/apple-sold-16.24-million-iphone-7.33-million-ipads-19.45-million-ipods-and-made-26.74-billion-revenue-in-q1-2011/) CHAPTER 16.24 GEOLOGICALLY HAZARDOUS AREAS www.co.marion.or.us/NR/rdonlyres/6A774C0C…/CHAP1624.pdf “The Red Skelton Hour” Episode #16.24 www.imdb.com/title/tt1365358/ The list goes on… Thanks, Now I am seeing 16.24 everywhere!😃 ---
**Author:** ![szabrocki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@szabrocki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/szabrocki)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/73 "2012-06-02T12:05:54Z")
> [@](#): > > You are all missing the point entirely. It is so obvious, I’m amazed that the thread has gone on this long. > > Think about it: 41 divides into 666 16.24 times! Can that possibly be coincidence? The irony is that 16.24 has absolutely no mathematical significance! Doug has hit upon the ‘41’ clue, so widely referred to in the Bible! Maybe there is something to 666/41=16.24 Matthew 16.24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Apple Sold 16.24 Million iPhones [Apple Sold 16.24 Million iPhones, 7.33 Million iPads, 19.45 Million iPods and Made $26.74 Billion Revenue [Q1 2011 Results] | Redmond Pie](http://www.redmondpie.com/apple-sold-16.24-million-iphone-7.33-million-ipads-19.45-million-ipods-and-made-26.74-billion-revenue-in-q1-2011/) PDF] CHAPTER 16.24 GEOLOGICALLY HAZARDOUS AREAS www.co.marion.or.us/NR/rdonlyres/6A774C0C…/CHAP1624.pdf “The Red Skelton Hour” Episode #16.24 www.imdb.com/title/tt1365358/ The list goes on… Thanks, Now I am seeing 16.24 everywhere!😃 I am also amazed that this thread has go on for so long. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/74 "2012-06-02T12:37:54Z")
I seem to look at a clock at 13:37 disproportionately often. I think it says something about my skilz. ---
**Author:** ![manila](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@manila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manila)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/75 "2012-06-02T12:48:12Z")
I am now 54, 41 years ago I was 13. 13 years ago I was 41 spooky ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/76 "2012-06-03T15:05:46Z")
All these number things can easily be explained when you realize that life as we know it is just a big alien computer simulation. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/77 "2012-06-03T15:20:13Z")
**dgarci03,** did you read post #11? Did you access the links? It may be old history thread-wise, but it’s still pertinent. ---
**Author:** ![curious11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ac91a4/32.png) [@curious11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curious11)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/78 "2012-06-03T15:42:28Z")
> **[Sports](https://m.xkcd.com/904/)** > > Also, all financial analysis. And, more directly, D&D. 6 has been my constant companion. Why was 6 afraid of 7? To the OP, you are seeing 41 because you are looking for it. Just like if you started looking for silver Volkswagens (if you weren’t already). ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2012, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/79 "2012-06-04T13:11:21Z")
One word for this is [apophenia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apophenia): > [@](#): > > The term was coined in 1958 by Klaus Conrad, who defined it as the “unmotivated seeing of connections” accompanied by a “specific experience of an abnormal meaningfulness”, but it has come to represent the human tendency to seek patterns in random nature in general, as with gambling, paranormal phenomena, religion, and even attempts at scientific observation. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2012, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-number-41/26874/80 "2012-06-04T13:22:37Z")
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