I read recently of the delightful Japanese word 'mu' and its Chinese equivalent, 'wu'. It means - simplified - that a yes or no answer is inappropriate because the context of the question is too small for the truth of the answer.
I intend to use this in seminars when asked dumb questions. Perhaps my students will use it when I ask them dumb questions.
I expect Japanese politicians use it to great effect. I bet Michael Howard would have loved to have had such a word to fend off Paxman.
ReplyDeleteThat would have been wonderful.
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