• Addv4@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    33
    ·
    6 months ago

    Justice dept also clarified in the same press release that, “Water is wet” and the sky is still currently blue.

    • orclev@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      6 months ago

      While I totally agree with you, fun semantic question, is water wet, or does it only make other things wet?

        • orclev@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          edit-2
          6 months ago

          So the crux of it is the definition of wet. A couple definitions: “covered or soaked with a liquid such as water” or “Not yet dry or firm”. While you could maybe argue water is “not yet dry”, that also implies the expectation that it will at some point be which it won’t, because if it’s “dry” it’s not water anymore. Similarly water is not “covered or soaked in a liquid” as it is a liquid. It’s a subtle point but highlights a quirk of English. A liquid almost by definition can’t be “wet” unless it also has a dry state (E.G. paint).