explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

Talk:3075: Anachronym Challenge

2025-04-12T22:58:46Z

172.70.58.49:

Shouldn't "Anachronym" be "Anachronism"? The listed items aren't archaic acronyms. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.63.83|162.158.63.83]] 17:30, 11 April 2025 (UTC)
:No, "-nym" means name, so this is names that are outdated [[Special:Contributions/104.23.190.60|104.23.190.60]] 17:36, 11 April 2025 (UTC)
:: (The OP) Ah, I see now. An anachronym is a term used in an anachronistic way (like tin foil which isn't made of tin anymore), where an anacronym is an word that started as an acronym but is now treated as a word (people no longer think of it as an acronym). Neither term being in common parlance, and being only one letter different, my search for a definition got them confused.[[Special:Contributions/172.70.35.94|172.70.35.94]] 00:20, 12 April 2025 (UTC)

I'm not sure why he should be paying with paper money. He can easily pay by credit card ... using virtual debit card on his phone. -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 17:46, 11 April 2025 (UTC)
: Paper money might not be made from paper anymore - at least, it isn't in NZ, where I live. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.0.130|172.69.0.130]] 17:53, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

::I think “paper money” is about paper no longer being made from papyrus. US bank notes are printed on rag paper, which is indeed a kind of paper despite containing little or no wood pulp.--[[User:Seakingsoyuz|Seakingsoyuz]] ([[User talk:Seakingsoyuz|talk]]) 18:20, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

:::Agreed. Rag paper is not just "a kind of paper", it's the original kind of paper (papyrus is not paper in any usual sense, because it is not made from pulped fibers). When paper was invented in China, it was made from rag fibers, and it was still made like that when it was first produced in Europe.

:: I don't think 'paper money' should be designated as being made of paper here. Everyone knows that paper money doesn't feel or act like paper. It's incredibly hard to rip. [[User:DollarStoreBa'al|DollarStoreBa'al]] ([[User talk:DollarStoreBa'al|talk]]) 18:27, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

::: Being Canadian, I thought the reference here was to what's described at Wikipedia as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer_banknote Polymer banknotes]. --[[Special:Contributions/162.158.127.25|162.158.127.25]] 18:28, 12 April 2025 (UTC)

:The "card" in credit card seems to come from Latin and Greek for a piece of paper or papyrus. So a credit card, now made of plastic, metal, semiconductors, etc. might be considered an anachronym. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.41.95|162.158.41.95]] 19:20, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

Adults who "enjoy" rubber ducks include programmers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_duck_debugging [[Special:Contributions/172.71.95.27|172.71.95.27]] 18:40, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

The word money came from words that meant coin. The word coin evidently came from wedge shaped. Not quite anachronym, though somewhat anachronism. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.41.95|162.158.41.95]] 19:11, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

Surprised "lead pencil" didn't make the list [[Special:Contributions/172.68.12.109|172.68.12.109]] 19:13, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

Duck Tape is no longer made from ducks! [[User:IIVQ|IIVQ]] ([[User talk:IIVQ|talk]]) 19:30, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

"digital money" shouldn't be listed as what "paper money" is actually made out of. Nobody would say "I'm paying with paper money" if they are paying with some digital currency. The anachronism is "paper money" being actually made of linen or whatever hi-tech fibers. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.254.211|172.70.254.211]] 19:49, 11 April 2025 (UTC) anonymous user
:Not even ''fibers''. Sheet-polymers (with loads of complex embedded and pressed-in features) are becoming the new go-to for banknotes, in a number of countries. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.205.135|172.68.205.135]] 23:24, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

My wife suggests that this is much easier if you are tech shopping: Apple, Mouse, Spam, Phish, Cookies.[[Special:Contributions/162.158.78.225|162.158.78.225]] 20:03, 11 April 2025 (UTC)
:"Click mouse to accept cookie" meme - featuring rodent and confection. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/06/e6/7d/06e67d6ee5a2afa112bf548463e97125.jpg [[Special:Contributions/172.70.35.94|172.70.35.94]] 00:20, 12 April 2025 (UTC)

Not sure why "sidewalk chalk" on there and who decides that calcium carbonate is allowed to be called chalk, but calcium sulphate is not. --[[Special:Contributions/108.162.216.196|108.162.216.196]] 05:25, 12 April 2025 (UTC)
:I came here wondering why it was on the list, but for a different reason: It's never been made from sidewalks. Yes, I actually needed to read the list to clear up the misconception. --[[Special:Contributions/162.158.127.25|162.158.127.25]] 18:28, 12 April 2025 (UTC)
::Because, other than the use we give it as "thing you write on blackboards with", chalk is originally a stone made of relatively loose calciulm carbonate (limestone mostly made from foraminifers), which is what was used to write on slate blackboards before we started making them out of pressed gypsum. --[[Special:Contributions/172.64.238.130|172.64.238.130]]

== Steel ==

{{w|Stainless steel}} ''does'' contain Fe, so "iron" ain't ''that'' "wrong". [[Special:Contributions/172.70.35.95|172.70.35.95]] 05:48, 12 April 2025 (UTC)
:We have long made a distinction between "iron" and "steel", not to mention that, while stainless steel has about 1% carbon by weight (give or take: sometime more, sometimes less), since carbon is over 4 times lighter than iron, that makes about 4% (and up to 10%) of the atoms carbon, not to mention that, to be stainless, it has to either have a by weight composition of either over 10% chromium or over 8% nickel, which are almost the same weight as iron (a difference of around 5%, lower for chromium, higher for nickel). Given that the average stainless steel has a 18% by weight of chromium, adding that with the carbon means that only 3 out of 4 atoms are iron, and if you have copper and tin or copper and tin in that same ratio, it would long have surpassed the line to be called "bronze" or "brass", respectively. "Having iron atoms" is not the same as "made of iron", mainly when it originally was indeed made out of (wrought) iron. --[[Special:Contributions/188.114.111.245|188.114.111.245]]

"Cutlery" specifically refers to metallic implements with a cutting edge. Knives, scissors, and swords are cutlery; Spoons and forks are not cutlery. Table knives, forks, and spoons, collectively are "flatware". [[Special:Contributions/162.158.164.155|162.158.164.155]] 10:01, 12 April 2025 (UTC)
:I was really hoping to re-edit that element, anyway. The comic says "silverware" which can relate to cutlery/other food-implements or to the plates or candlesticks or even ''trophies''. Someone assumed that meant cutlery(+dining implements in general). As well as other improvable writing about the assumption they went with. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.58.49|172.70.58.49]] 22:58, 12 April 2025 (UTC)

== Paper ==

I just want to point out that paper made from cotton fibers instead of wood pulp ''is still paper''. You can buy it in the store. There are non-paper banknotes now, but not in the U.S., and I'd be surprised if polymer banknotes were ever called "paper money". [[User:LtPowers|LtPowers]] ([[User talk:LtPowers|talk]]) 12:35, 12 April 2025 (UTC)
:Be surprised. That's what they're usually called in Canada. --[[Special:Contributions/162.158.127.164|162.158.127.164]] 18:29, 12 April 2025 (UTC)
::And anywhere with polymer bills. "Paper money" = bills. Still, it's true that cotton-linen paper is still paper, so is hemp paper and any other paper made from cellulose fibers (paper can be categorized by cellulose source, average fiber length, thickness, impurities and papermaking method). You can even make paper out of old clothes made from vegetable textiles (like blue jeans, cotton T-shirts or hemp pants). As a weird side note, there are non-cellulose papers, like silk paper, but they are made in the same way as regular paper (which is not how plymer bills are made, to my understanding)--[[Special:Contributions/188.114.111.245|188.114.111.245]]

Talk:3070: Orogeny

2025-04-07T10:21:16Z

172.70.58.49:

If only "plutonic" meant "made with real plutonium," sigh. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.167.26|172.71.167.26]] 02:53, 1 April 2025 (UTC)
:But what does this mean in this context here? --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 11:10, 1 April 2025 (UTC)
::In geology, "plutonic" means rock that solidified from magma that cooled beneath the Earth's surface, as opposed to "volcanic" which means rock that solidified from lava on the Earth's surface. In this case, Ponytail is indicating that the rocks that they are standing on were formed when magma solidified deep underground a billion years ago, but were uplifted and exposed by erosion much more recently (geologically speaking). [[Special:Contributions/162.158.137.59|162.158.137.59]] 18:28, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

xkcd. When technical issues interfer with reality correct the technical issues. That's usually easier than changing reality. Sure, the techs will say it's impossible and may even think they are correct but ... [[Special:Contributions/172.71.194.216|172.71.194.216]] 02:55, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

Hey this isn't an interactive april fools comic [[Special:Contributions/162.158.174.225|162.158.174.225]] 04:06, 1 April 2025 (UTC)
:No because this comic came out on March 31st. But it has been a while since Randall managed to let his April 1st comic come out on April 1st ;-) But this comic was the regular scheduled Monday March 31st release. We may still se an April Fools' comic come out later today or some time during April... However I have heard that due to the recent events in the world that all would have been funny if April Fool's then April Fool's Day has been canceled this year! --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 11:10, 1 April 2025 (UTC)
::I have (lengthily) justified, as inline commentary, why I think it's nonense to consider this a "no April Fools' year" just yet. The comic is normal Monday March 31st fare (insofar as any comic is 'normal') and can only be considered valid for a "March Impetuousness's day" comic, should that be a thing. As pointed out by a prior editor, Machine was late (had the opportunity to be released on Monday 1st April, but seemingly needed a bit more time; and probably could have done with longer, given it had minor post-release tweaks) and is considered a 1/Apr 'special'. Longer waits for season-/occasion-specific comics have heen had.
::For people to assume this pre-April comic (by the usual measures) is sign that there's no such special release is... premature in at least three different ways. And there's no reason for anybody outside Randall and (as with the trend over recent years) any hypothetical collaborators involved to ''know'' if this year is going to be bountiful or barren at this early stage. There's almost ⅓ of a day before ''my'' April 1st is over (ignoring the "all japes need to be made/concluded before noon" stipulation, which remains difficult to enforce on a worldwide basis) longer still for Randall's, and that's if he's sticking to the usual "release day" schedule and ''not'' having to worry about more than just a single static comic that (give or take particular topicality) could be substituted for a backup 'casual' joke even if he's not entirely happy with its finished status yet.
::Maybe it'll be (very early, Randall-time) on Wednesday, as compromise with the rest of the logistics. Maybe not. Give it a week before making too many assumptions. And, even then, if it's a ''good'' one that just needs more fiddling with, don't be surprised to find a 'special' release later on. (Whilst accepting that there may still not be one, of course.) To paraphrase Frank N. Furter, in the Rocky Horror (Picture) Show, perhaps you all should try to "shiver with Antici-
::<br/>
::<br/>
::<br/>
::-pation".... [[Special:Contributions/172.69.194.93|172.69.194.93]] 15:54, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

Gonna need a new category tag for Geology + Real Estate/Home Ownership comics at this point - this is the 4th I believe. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.255.133|172.71.255.133]] 04:29, 1 April 2025 (UTC)
:I think that's [[:Category:Home Inspections]] -- [[User:Ken g6|Ken g6]] ([[User talk:Ken g6|talk]]) 05:47, 1 April 2025 (UTC)
::We might want to rebrand that category then: something more general for a combination of real estate and geology --[[User:Mushrooms|Mushrooms]] ([[User talk:Mushrooms|talk]]) 11:21, 1 April 2025 (UTC)
:::Maybe yes, but I think the two home inspection comics are so clearly a stand alone series! And have thus removed the category from this comic. And made a note of this comic on the home inspection category and made a link to it from this comic. If Randall continues there could be a new series where the inspection series would then become a sub category. But for that we need to have more comics like this one. Also in this comic it seems like they joke, where in the other it seems to be taken serious by the characters. At least at the moments the explanation also says that they are running along with the joke. Especially the punch line. Also it is only the third comic not the fourth as far as I can tell? Ah sorry there is also [[3051: Hardwood]]. Yes maybe we should make some other category. But still think the two home inspection would still need to be seen as a special sereis where the home and the inspector needs to be part of any further comics to be added --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 11:25, 1 April 2025 (UTC)
::::I'm minded to think that it's just dubious to attempt to classify a set of two as a 'theme'. Given a set of random points (say, stars in the sky), it would be pre-emptive to suggest that any two seemingly close together are "a group", in anticipation that as yet unseen/uncatalogued stars will trivially fit into any such pair-group when you get round to them. Three is better (such that ''any'' of them have more in common with the other two than they have with any neighbour), but even that's potentially a problem (loads of "triangles" up in, or even betwixt, the constellations!) and subject to reinterpretation.
::::I'm thinking that "home inspection" is just a fleeting subset within a more "geological home" (plucking that from mid-air, probably just as wrong) wider theme. Though whether even Randall has consciously grouped any/all of those as we have (and will continue to, as further comics further establish or redefine the extent of his imagination in these matters) is a question we probably couldn't get a good answer to. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.99.104|141.101.99.104]] 12:15, 1 April 2025 (UTC)
::::: Well, yes - it is wrong - you should have plucked it from the earth.[[Special:Contributions/172.70.160.218|172.70.160.218]] 08:20, 2 April 2025 (UTC)
::::Either have a category for all four or none at all, but with only the two home inspection comics I don't think there should be a category just for them - Cueball's checkup in [[1839]] and [[1840]] is connected through the general [[:Category:Doctor Ponytail]] with the explanations referencing each other. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.146.19|162.158.146.19]] 11:41, 2 April 2025 (UTC)
::::I think that somewhere in the admin request boards, it suggested waiting until at least 4-5 comics fit the trend before creating the category, but I don't think we have an official policy on when to create a category. [[User:Firestar233|guess who]] ([[User talk:Firestar233|if you desire conversing]] | [[Special:Contributions/Firestar233|what i have done]]) 21:11, 2 April 2025 (UTC)

Is it possible the next comic will be an April Fools'? [[User:Ozymandias|Ozymandias]] ([[User talk:Ozymandias|talk]])
:Yes, but see above reply --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 11:10, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

I don't understand the part about ancient collision ... what is meant here? Did tectonic plates come from interstellar events? [[Special:Contributions/172.68.54.68|172.68.54.68]] 09:34, 1 April 2025 (UTC)
:Ancient collision refers to tectonic plates colliding millions of years ago.[[User:Ozymandias|Ozymandias]] ([[User talk:Ozymandias|talk]])
::And it may be an ongoing collision, as for instance Himalaya which are still rising from the collision of India with the rest of Asia --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 11:10, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

Heated driveways and sidewalks aren't unheard of in areas that get snow/ice. I feel like Randall isn't using "Most" in quite as absurd a way as is typical. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.38.199|172.70.38.199]] 18:03, 1 April 2025 (UTC)
:Separately from that, but sort of related, I find that bit of the Explanation a bit too focused on ''only'' the outside being heated, when it's probably going to affect [[735: Floor|indoor floors]] just as much, give or taken the point at which 'indoors' (if not the entire structure of any house) becomes moot against the general and widespread {{tvtropes|ConvectionSchmonvection|environmental effects}} involved. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.194.205|172.69.194.205]] 21:59, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

From the timing, Randall could only have used prescience in gaining inspiration from this particular occurance... but, ''within hours'' of the comic being published, there was an outbreak of "[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqj4rg1kd52o hot property]" issues. Probably just coincidence, so not threading this into the Explanation narrative... [[Special:Contributions/172.71.241.19|172.71.241.19]] 22:24, 1 April 2025 (UTC)
:Probably just ponytail looking for more business. [[User:DollarStoreBa'al|DollarStoreBa'al]] ([[User talk:DollarStoreBa'al|talk]]) 15:44, 2 April 2025 (UTC)
Anyone know how to comment? I’m new [[User:Aprilfoolsupdate!|Aprilfoolsupdate!]] ([[User talk:Aprilfoolsupdate!|talk]]) 09:49, 2 April 2025 (UTC)

Whens april fools coming? [[User:Thehydraclone|Thehydraclone]] ([[User talk:Thehydraclone|talk]]) 20:24, 2 April 2025 (UTC)
:who knows? It’s up to Randall,right? [[User:Aprilfoolsupdate!|Aprilfoolsupdate!]] ([[User talk:Aprilfoolsupdate!|talk]]) 05:14, 3 April 2025 (UTC)
:1st April. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.91.11|172.70.91.11]] 08:56, 3 April 2025 (UTC)

Is there a typo in the title text ? Should'nt it be boost insteadt of [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/boast boast] ? [[User:Kbenoit|Kbenoit]] ([[User talk:Kbenoit|talk]]) 16:14, 4 April 2025 (UTC)
:No, that's probably the meaning intended. To be able to boast something is to brag about it (not necessariy in a self-centred way), or just make a point of information about something. "The car boasts a sun-roof", "I used to boast a pretty neat beard, before I stopped shaving altogether", "Buy that new TV, and you can boast a full Ultra-HD experience and direct connection with all the major streaming services over wifi"... [[Special:Contributions/162.158.74.15|162.158.74.15]] 19:41, 4 April 2025 (UTC)

Given that the only other year Randall didn't do an April fools was 2017, and it's clear from his comics how much he hates seeing Trump elected, I'm betting 2025 will also get skipped. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.245.81|172.68.245.81]] 01:28, 7 April 2025 (UTC)
:That seems to me like a trivial (and counter-productive) response. If he feels strongly about it, as I'm sure he does, ''doing nothing'' is a strange response. There are so many reasons for not (yet) being able to commemorate the day. If it's that, ok. But being solely (or even majorly) that doesn't sound right.
:Are we even sure about 2017's causation, rather than its correlation? Even if we were, I could easily imagine this time round having the opposite effect.
:Not that I want to play therapist/psychiatrist on someone who isn't (knowingly) here, in front of everyone else in the entire world. Only wanting to counteract those who are already doing that, who may not be helping things whether they're right ''or'' wrong. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.58.49|172.70.58.49]] 10:21, 7 April 2025 (UTC)