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Wednesday, December 17, 2014

The Etymology of Maybe

On a recent play date...

GRUNION:  So....I saw the fat man in the red suit this week.
Z:  Uh huh.

GRUNION: And I told him all the stuff I required in exchange for being good this year.
Z:  Yeah.

GRUNION:  And he says, "maybe I'll be able to bring you that stuff".  Not "I will definitely bring you that stuff", or "Not a problem, kid."
Z:  Whoa.

Z:  The word "maybe", believed to originate in the 15th century,  is generally regarded to mean a mere possibility or probability depending on the situation.
GRUNION:  I am a robot.  I do not understand your fancy language.

Z:  Hey Gibby, why did Santa say "maybe"?
GIBBY:  I dunno.  Probably for legal reasons.  Anyway, I wouldn't worry about it.  You've been been good enough that I think Santa will deliver.

GRUNION:  So I'll actually be getting a Roto-Die Hydraulic Sheet Metal bending machine?  Sweet!
GIBBY:  Wait.  What?  Did you ask Santa for that?

JET:  I'm totally gonna borrow that sheet metal bending thing to make a...thing.