From: Jeff Schwab <jeff@...>
Date: 2009-04-05T20:54:21+09:00
Subject: Re: [Ann] Verify, a very basic testing tool.

Phlip wrote:
> 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...

That's uglier than sin, but I like where you're going with it.  How 
about "dessert?"  Mmm...