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efg commented on the word vast majority
I hear "vast majority" so often that I think it's time we develop a societal consensus on how large a majority needs to be before it can be considered "vast." (Hint: 51 percent is not "vast.")
I would like to start the negotiations by suggesting something like 88 percent. Thoughts?
July 7, 2008
chained_bear commented on the word vast majority
I once said in a grad school paper that 80 percent was a majority but not an overwhelming one--here substitute "vast" for overwhelming--and my professor took issue with me and said it certainly was overwhelming. So perhaps it has to be something like 80 percent?
To me, "overwhelming majority" certainly would be something like 85 percent or more.
July 7, 2008
dontcry commented on the word vast majority
I vote for "vast" in the 75-85 % range and "overwhelming" in the 86-99 % range.
I think the vast, but not the overwhelming majority of Wordies will agree with me.
July 8, 2008
asativum commented on the word vast majority
Would a "significant majority" then be, say, 66% to 75%? And where does "substantial" fit in?
Of course, one could always give the number.
July 8, 2008
bilby commented on the word vast majority
It's vast if I say it's vast. That's all there is to it.
July 8, 2008
kewpid commented on the word vast majority
These ideas defy numerical representation. That would reduce the fluidity of language, and we wouldn't want that ;)
July 8, 2008
reesetee commented on the word vast majority
The vast majority of me agrees overwhelmingly with a significant majority of you.
July 9, 2008
chained_bear commented on the word vast majority
No fair, reesetee! You're using adverbs!
July 9, 2008
reesetee commented on the word vast majority
Oh. Sorry.
The vast majority of me is in overwhelming agreement with a significant majority of you.
July 10, 2008
bilby commented on the word vast majority
Once you've worked this out, can y'all get on to the more gnarly problem of how many measures constitute a raft of measures. The government announced a raft of measures the other day and I don't know what we're in for.
July 10, 2008
reesetee commented on the word vast majority
Maybe you're sinking? That's what I'm thinking.
July 10, 2008
bilby commented on the word vast majority
That could be it. There's a raft of measures to combat climate change. I hope there's room on the raft for me and my words. And of course plethora, kewpid and frindley. And my thylacine.
July 10, 2008
reesetee commented on the word vast majority
If you guys run out of space on that raft, you can always use a corner of my huge desk.
July 10, 2008
plethora commented on the word vast majority
I'm not sure I want to share with some of the stuff on your desk, rt. But at least there are no penis bones.
July 10, 2008
reesetee commented on the word vast majority
True, true. But remember: Those objects are on Desks I Have Known, but not necessarily on the current huuuuuge one. So you should be perfectly comfortable. :-)
July 10, 2008
plethora commented on the word vast majority
Good point.
July 10, 2008
dontcry commented on the word vast majority
Bon Voyage!
July 11, 2008
bilby commented on the word vast majority
If it's a vast desk, we can probably fit a vast majority on. Then we can count all the people and work out how much a vast majority really is. Problem solved.
July 11, 2008
reesetee commented on the word vast majority
Good. All aboard, then.
July 11, 2008
bilby commented on the word vast majority
*leads on the marsupial contingent*
July 11, 2008
hernesheir commented on the word vast majority
vast majority >51% to political hacks and commentators.
September 19, 2014
ry commented on the word vast majority
hmm, similar to the popular (but strictly speaking, mis-) conception of the meaning of lion's share
September 21, 2014