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About this quote

What does it mean?
In a vague, political‑sounding way, the speaker says you may infer their meaning.
In plain terms
You can infer what they meant.
What can you take from it?
Beware of ambiguous language that leaves room for interpretation.

Where it applies

  • email writing
  • legal statements

Putting it to work

  • use precise language
  • avoid vague qualifiers

Questions to consider

  • When is ambiguity useful?
  • How to balance clarity and flexibility?

Another view

Sometimes ambiguity is intentional for flexibility.

More from Larry Wall

  1. One operator is no big deal. That can be fixed in a jiffy.

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  2. Would you trust the linguistic intuitions of someone who has been studying Latin or Greek for three days?

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  3. So I'm thinking about ??, or !!, or //, or \, or whatever. But I think I like ?? the best so far. Or the least worst.

    Permalink to quote #216

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