Brain Teasers
Familiar Misquotes Series VIII
Whenever a phrase or sentence becomes part of the common language, there is a strong possibility that it will be quoted inaccurately.
Over the course of time, a letter gets shifted or a word is changed and forevermore the quotation becomes a cliche that nobody ever gets quite right.
Try to complete each proverbial cliche:
1.) "To ______ the lily." - William Shakespeare
2.) "Under ______ spreading chestnut tree / The village smithy stands." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
3.) "That's one small step for ______ , one giant leap for mankind." - Neil Armstrong
Over the course of time, a letter gets shifted or a word is changed and forevermore the quotation becomes a cliche that nobody ever gets quite right.
Try to complete each proverbial cliche:
1.) "To ______ the lily." - William Shakespeare
2.) "Under ______ spreading chestnut tree / The village smithy stands." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
3.) "That's one small step for ______ , one giant leap for mankind." - Neil Armstrong
Answer
1.) paint2.) a
3.) a man * NASA finds credit in the theory of new findings of the missing "a". Neil Armstrong's prepared statement which had the "a", was unheard in the actual statement. This has been an issue of debate since Neil Armstrong's first step on the moon.
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Comments
You can't be serious. NASA has confirmed that Neil was supposed to say 'a man', but did in fact omit the 'a'. If you listen to the recording, it is plain that there isn't even enough of a gap between 'for' and 'man' for there to have been another sound, much less a distinct 'a'.
This can be confirmed at snopes.com and Wikipedia.
This can be confirmed at snopes.com and Wikipedia.
Phrebh, Im surprised by your comment; which is inaccurate as well as misleading to those reading the comments.
In the answer, names who discovered that he actually said what he was suppose to say; as well as the means in which the "a" was discovered.
Last month this information was put out by the AP (Associated Press) and printed in Newspapers and headlined in both the Yahoo and Aol news. With all the recent publicity it received nationally, Im surprised you did not know this.
I do appreciate your reading my teaser and taking the time to comment though, thank you
In the answer, names who discovered that he actually said what he was suppose to say; as well as the means in which the "a" was discovered.
Last month this information was put out by the AP (Associated Press) and printed in Newspapers and headlined in both the Yahoo and Aol news. With all the recent publicity it received nationally, Im surprised you did not know this.
I do appreciate your reading my teaser and taking the time to comment though, thank you
Does the word 'hoax' mean anything to you? People do crazy things to get their 15 minutes of fame, and this is one of those times. If NASA confirmed this, as you contend, why is there no mention of it anywhere on Nasa.gov?
The article on Space.com says that Armstrong has always maintained that he did say the 'a', but Wikipedia points out that he has said he believes that he could have said it wrong. The most telling part of the article (aside from the title which suggests that Ford changed the original recording) is that Armstrong says that Ford's argument is persuasive and then says that, " persuasive is the appropriate word." That implies that Ford's work is in no way conclusive.
Chron.com (home of the Houston Chronicle, who first ran the story) goes into much greater detail, pointing out that Ford found evidence of it using software, and then confirmed it by reading an authorized biography of Armstrong, which quotes Armstrong as saying that he didn't mean to mess up grammar, but admitting that he may have.
All evidence points to Ford's conclusions, and therefore this teaser, not being accurate. You could have saved everyone the controversy by just pointing out that whether Armstrong himself wrote the line or whether it was given to him to say, the 'a' was in the original form of the quote, even if it wasn't in the spoken form.
The article on Space.com says that Armstrong has always maintained that he did say the 'a', but Wikipedia points out that he has said he believes that he could have said it wrong. The most telling part of the article (aside from the title which suggests that Ford changed the original recording) is that Armstrong says that Ford's argument is persuasive and then says that, " persuasive is the appropriate word." That implies that Ford's work is in no way conclusive.
Chron.com (home of the Houston Chronicle, who first ran the story) goes into much greater detail, pointing out that Ford found evidence of it using software, and then confirmed it by reading an authorized biography of Armstrong, which quotes Armstrong as saying that he didn't mean to mess up grammar, but admitting that he may have.
All evidence points to Ford's conclusions, and therefore this teaser, not being accurate. You could have saved everyone the controversy by just pointing out that whether Armstrong himself wrote the line or whether it was given to him to say, the 'a' was in the original form of the quote, even if it wasn't in the spoken form.
Phrebh,
With Fords contention of slurred syllables which Neil Armstrong was noted for, the sound was confirmed, and picked up by the A.P.. It is also notworthy to state that the articles that you site predate the A.P.. The articles you site are dated from 10/3-10/6. This has been in debate since its onset with grants and funding on the line for everyone on either side of this debate.
Reguardless, my teaser IS accurate whereas Neil Armstrong was supposed to say "a", making this a misquote. Neil Armstrong admits if he forgot the "a", then he misquoted. This is no forum for debate my friend, so I suggest you submit a correction if you wish to end the debate but the fact is Nasa confirmed under the fruh syllable sound. Fords finding has credibility. Is it enough...for some, so the debate continues I guess for others. My teaser as written is unflawed.
With Fords contention of slurred syllables which Neil Armstrong was noted for, the sound was confirmed, and picked up by the A.P.. It is also notworthy to state that the articles that you site predate the A.P.. The articles you site are dated from 10/3-10/6. This has been in debate since its onset with grants and funding on the line for everyone on either side of this debate.
Reguardless, my teaser IS accurate whereas Neil Armstrong was supposed to say "a", making this a misquote. Neil Armstrong admits if he forgot the "a", then he misquoted. This is no forum for debate my friend, so I suggest you submit a correction if you wish to end the debate but the fact is Nasa confirmed under the fruh syllable sound. Fords finding has credibility. Is it enough...for some, so the debate continues I guess for others. My teaser as written is unflawed.
Well, I was surprised to see the information about the A being in or omitted from the famous Neil Armstrong quote, because I had never heard about this controversy prior to today. I enjoyed reading about it online though.
It seems Mr. Armstrong had over the years come to the reconciliation that he misspoke and omitted the A. Doesn't matter to me. I love the quote and this teaser rocks either way.
Thanks for an interesting topic.
It seems Mr. Armstrong had over the years come to the reconciliation that he misspoke and omitted the A. Doesn't matter to me. I love the quote and this teaser rocks either way.
Thanks for an interesting topic.
as of wikipedia... anyone and their mama culd put anything on that site. all u have to do is click edit. if u wrote that dogs were made of peanut butter, all of more power to u.
i didnt get any other answer exept the neil armstrong one, but that is just me i guess.
i rate ur teaser half in fun, no rating in diffuliticy.
ok? ok.
i didnt get any other answer exept the neil armstrong one, but that is just me i guess.
i rate ur teaser half in fun, no rating in diffuliticy.
ok? ok.
Great Teaser! Keep up the good work
I can't believe all the controversy about this teaser. Teasers are supposed to be for fun. Who cares if they are totally correct.
Your arguments are specious. The AP picked up the story from the Houston Chronicle, where it originated. That's why the AP article didn't have all of the originating information.
Saying that Armstrong meant to say it is completely different from him actually saying it, and therein lies this teaser's flaw. I said before that it would work if rewritten. You can choose to correct it or not, I'm not going to worry about it. Ford's assertion has hardly been shown to be correct, and people should know that.
(Controversy aside, I really do like these teasers and I'm glad you've been able to do a series of them.)
Saying that Armstrong meant to say it is completely different from him actually saying it, and therein lies this teaser's flaw. I said before that it would work if rewritten. You can choose to correct it or not, I'm not going to worry about it. Ford's assertion has hardly been shown to be correct, and people should know that.
(Controversy aside, I really do like these teasers and I'm glad you've been able to do a series of them.)
Phrebh,
This topic reminds me that people today still think the world is flat and that belief should be respected. I respect your input, I do question the forum used for debate. I agree to disagree but I do respect your opinion. Thank you.
This topic reminds me that people today still think the world is flat and that belief should be respected. I respect your input, I do question the forum used for debate. I agree to disagree but I do respect your opinion. Thank you.
Teasers get edited and accepted by the editors - so if you have a problem with a teaser, etc. you need to consider this. I think this is a fine teaser - - IF there were any mistakes made, I'm sure they were not intentional. I personally feel there were not any made, otherwise, the editors would have caught it. Thanks for another good one aresll!
Good teaser...I could care less about the Armstrong issue...I've heard the controversy before.
Haven't visited this site much in the past 6-7 months, good to see that some things don't change much, Phrebh will argue a minor point to death!
Haven't visited this site much in the past 6-7 months, good to see that some things don't change much, Phrebh will argue a minor point to death!
I rather enjoyed the teaser. I got the first two (I enjoy liturature) but missed the third.
What I find really interesting is a long term running attack on the teaser (submitted; researched by staff; then being approved and posted to the site) by a person that says they won't worry about it (and it took a lot of writing to get there!).
I wouldn't sweat it Aresll. One can believe that Emeralds are RED! (doesn't change the facts)
What I find really interesting is a long term running attack on the teaser (submitted; researched by staff; then being approved and posted to the site) by a person that says they won't worry about it (and it took a lot of writing to get there!).
I wouldn't sweat it Aresll. One can believe that Emeralds are RED! (doesn't change the facts)
Wow, that makes sense. Nice job!
Well, if Armstrong himself admitted in an autobiography that he didn't say the A (but was supposed to), you've misquoted him in your teaser. You could say "What Neil Armstrong was supposed to say."
And that "Anyone and their mamas can put stuff on Wikipedia" is just a story to scare small children. Wikipedia is editted by dedicated people who care about the site, and if someone is found posting false information, they can and will be IP banned.
And that "Anyone and their mamas can put stuff on Wikipedia" is just a story to scare small children. Wikipedia is editted by dedicated people who care about the site, and if someone is found posting false information, they can and will be IP banned.
Oh, sorry, I read wrong
I guess Armstrong didn't admit it in an autobiography.
Anyways, a very nice teaser
I guess Armstrong didn't admit it in an autobiography.
Anyways, a very nice teaser
My take on whether Armstrong used the A or not. WHO CARES!!!!
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