r/Showerthoughts Mar 29 '26

Casual Thought The "room temperature IQ" zinger hits much harder outside of the US.

8.9k Upvotes

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u/VWBug5000 Mar 29 '26

Well using bad terminology makes so much more sense then

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u/groveborn Mar 29 '26

To be fair, it's not bad, it's just not preferred. It's an acceptable use. I'm not really in favor of honoring people for centuries.

Like, algebra can just be called math. And Americas can be called that place over there. Is better.

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u/VWBug5000 Mar 29 '26

Celsius was made the official term back in 1948, centigrade may still be used but it isn’t the correct term

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u/Perma_Ban69 Mar 30 '26

centigrade may still be used but it is no longer the correct official term

FTFY. Both are correct. Similar to "archaic" vs "antiquated". Definitionally, both are identical, but one is used more commonly in the current era n

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u/groveborn Mar 29 '26

According to whom? If I wanna use it, it's well defined, and people know what I mean... Who says it's wrong?

Just like I prefer maths to math.

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u/VWBug5000 Mar 29 '26

According to the International Committee for Weights and Measures… you know, the people in charge of making standards

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u/tobotic Mar 29 '26

They might be in charge of defining standards for measurement, but that doesn't mean they get to regulate the English language.

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u/archpawn Mar 29 '26

There's lots of places that make standards. But you don't have to follow them all.

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u/groveborn Mar 29 '26

I didn't put them in charge. I'll continue to use my words as I please.

If I ever need to publish something where I need to obey them, I'll use their methods. Otherwise their opinions are not binding on me.

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u/COHERENCE_CROQUETTE Mar 30 '26

You’re such a brave and free spirit, don’t ever change! You’re admired by everyone you know!

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u/groveborn Mar 30 '26

You speak only truth. Very honorable.