fulltimedaniel wrote:
I am just not sure how you conflate the above statement with the assertion that I was talking about the majority?
A great many... I chose this term with care. It denotes a bit more than many but what is many as opposed to all? Not a majority as I understand English.
This reminds me of something I heard on the news today. NYC Mayor DeBlasio was quoted as saying I will not allow ICE enforcement officers to enter schools without a warrant.
So, no one has said ICE agents were trying to enter schools without warrants. Now, he did not SAY, they were trying, but by saying he will NOT allow it, he IMPLIES that there is a plan or an attempt.
Why I bring this up? By saying a great many, you IMPLY a majority, to the casual reader, but also retain the ability to assert that you did not SAY a majority. The dictionary definition of a great many is a very large number or an extremely large number. In terms of 138 sample size, an extremely large number would clearly imply a majority to pretty much any audience. But, yes, technically, dicing words, you can claim you never said majority.
It's all in the delivery. Just like the above where the majority is implied, by saying 'I think I can claim to have experienced about every type of RV Park that exists. And their owners.' also implies that the conclusions you have drawn, based on your relatively small sample size, applies to the entire industry.
I do agree, you ought to write letters for politicians, as you clearly choose your words to allow you an out for just about any argument or contrary comment.
Mike
