From: Phlip <phlip2005@...>
Date: 2009-04-05T20:46:01+09:00
Subject: Re: [Ann] Verify, a very basic testing tool.

Sean O'Halpin wrote:

> "REFUTE To refute a proposition or theory is to establish  or prove
> that it is false. Lately many people have taken to using �refute� as a
> synonym for �deny�, but avoid this usage in philosophy. To deny that
> God exists is not, in philosophical usage, to refute (or disprove) the
> proposition that God exists."

You wanna know what sucks? The basic problem here is 'assert_no' is redundant, 
so we should use one word. Let's try to pick a word.

If that word is 'deny', then you get this:

   assert frobs(rule)
   assert knobs(rule)
   deny clogs(rule)
   assert slobs(rule)

See the problem yet? They don't line up in columns! The eye thinks the third 
line is something other than an assertion.

So try this:

   assert frobs(rule)
   assert knobs(rule)
   refute clogs(rule)
   assert slobs(rule)

Ah, that's much better! Now you get a gutter in 9th column, and the whole 
meaning goes into your brain much faster.

Except we can't use "refute" now, despite it exactly parallels 'assert's length, 
because some language-lawyer wannabe on the interthing found a reason not to!

So try this:

   assert frobs(rule)
   assert knobs(rule)
   denigh clogs(rule)
   assert slobs(rule)

I tried to use El Goog to find some Olde Englische precedent for "denigh". Just 
my luck nobody used the internet back then...

-- 
   Phlip