From: Sean O'Halpin <sean.ohalpin@...>
Date: 2009-04-05T21:32:04+09:00
Subject: Re: [Ann] Verify, a very basic testing tool.

On Sun, Apr 5, 2009 at 12:46 PM, Phlip <phlip2005@gmail.com> 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...
>
> --
>  Phlip

My apologies - I got the wrong end of the stick. I thought we were
talking about the ~meaning~ of the words. If it's ~length~ you're
concerned with then how about one of these:

- abjure
- absurd (as in 'to absurd sthg' rather than the arguably more correct
'absurdify')
- negate
- accept/reject

and, if you relax the 6-letter requirement:
- avow/deny
- cheer/curse

and why bother with meaning at all:
- fizzle/flange
- pip/pop
- hoot/blah

and why stop there? You could just use:

T knobs(rule)
F clogs(rule)

That lines up.

(BTW, there is one serious suggestion in there.  :)

Regards,
Sean