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#59441 03/03/02 09:15 PM
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New Scientist 9 Feb 2002: p 51 On Brownian movement: .......Contrary to what many textboods state, Brown actually observed the motion of much smaller particles inside fluid filled voids within the pollen grains. This no doubt sounds like tiresome nit-picking.but as Einstein's analysis of Brownian movement shows, the effect is far smaller for relatively huge pollen grains than it is for the particles inside them.
Confusing the two has in the past led to accusations that Brown could not possibly have seen the effect which bears his name. It would be a shame to rob someone of his claim to fame simply because the textbooks can't be arsed to get the facts straight. Robert Matthews, Oxford

Translation, please?


#59442 03/03/02 09:19 PM
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cant be arsed = cant be bothered, unwilling thru laziness, Im afraid i use it far too much.

the Duncster


the Duncster
#59443 03/03/02 09:35 PM
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But, Dear Duncster, is it derived from the vulgar term for the external termination of the intestinal tract?


#59444 03/04/02 06:12 AM
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...is it derived from the vulgar term for the external termination of the intestinal tract?

Just guessing ... but it's probably a contraction of "Can't be bothered getting off (or moving) one's arse". I believe arse is generally used to refer to the buttocks as well as the ET ot IT.


#59445 03/04/02 07:22 AM
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>Just guessing ... but it's probably a contraction of "Can't be bothered getting off (or moving) one's arse". I believe arse is generally used to refer to the buttocks as well as the ET ot IT.

This sounds about right. It is not a term one would use in front of one's grandmother but is more like slang than an expletive. To be correct the ET ot IT would be more likely used in the much coarser expression "he is such an arsehole".


#59446 03/04/02 05:10 PM
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At least it seems clear that "arsed" was not a typo for "asked".


#59447 03/04/02 07:21 PM
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> At least it seems clear that "arsed" was not a typo for "asked".

Clear as day, Bill. The writer has obviously chosen this informal, and yes, crude usage to point out his annoyance at the lack of investigative diligence by would-be scientific writers who question the roots of 'Brownian motion'.
I doubt the writer makes a habit of using this kind of slang. It rounds the article off nicely though, eh.


#59448 03/04/02 07:51 PM
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Is it Brownian movement or motion, by the way?


#59449 03/04/02 08:31 PM
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Dear BY: the article uses only the word motion. Movement was my word, which I believe I have commonly seen used.

P.S. I went into Yahoo Search box for " Physics Brownian movement" and found twenty sites.
I repeated for "Brownian motion" and got seventeen sites. Seems pretty even. No clue as to preference.


#59450 03/04/02 10:49 PM
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I was going to chase the derivation up, but I found I couldn't be arsed, either.



The idiot also known as Capfka ...
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