I Warned You It Was a Trick Question…
Ricky got it: the difference between the words stalactite and stalagmite is the spelling.
This was just a little teaser to illustrate the importance of using the correct words to convey your meaning. Most people (myself included, the first time this was asked of me) assume that you want to know the difference between the definitions: that is, the difference between a stalactite and a stalagmite.
But the question was “What is the difference between the words.” When you ask a question or write — whatever you may write — it’s crucial to make sure that you say exactly what you mean. A lot of detective fiction hinges on this point. So does a lot of life.
By the way, a stalactite is a cave formation that hangs down from the roof of the cave, while the stalagmite is a cave formation that grows up from the floor of the cave. I’ve never gotten them confused since a guide at Mammoth Caves in Kentucky told a tour group this little mnemonic: “A stalactite sticks tight to the ceiling; a stalagmite just might reach the ceiling someday.”
3 Comments
I remember that differently. It is something about keeping your tights up which reminds me that stalagtites are the top ones.
I was taught that ‘tites’ come down and ‘mites’ grow up. Nice one.
either way, the question and answer portion of these posts were most interesting to me. The great majority of our misunderstandings seem to stem from not saying exactly what you mean — never assume that everyone gets your drift.