I saw this headline this morning.
Poll: Most Open to Letting Immigrants Stay
But then comes the story.
A slim majority of Americans are open to allowing undocumented workers to obtain some sort of temporary legal status to remain in the United States, with stronger support for the idea among Democrats, younger adults and more educated Americans, a new poll finds.Overall, 56 percent of Americans favor offering illegal immigrants a shot at some kind of legal status; roughly two-thirds of those ages 18-34 like the idea and an equal share of those with a college education agree, the AP-Ipsos survey found.
Ahhhh... a slim majority. Not "Most" -- a bit more than half. A majority to be sure -- but not "Most" any ore than it would be correct to say that "Most Americans Voted For Bush In 2004".
So what is it -- sloppy work or intentional inaccuracy?
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Comments on Deceptive Headline
I'm not tracking your argument here. Are you confused by the fact that "most" is synonymous with "a majority"?
|| Posted by Dan, April 2, 2006 09:30 AM ||Most is not the same as a majority.
|| Posted by Rhymes With Right, April 2, 2006 10:03 AM ||From Dictionary.com Definition 2
"The majority of the people; the masses:"
|| Posted by dolphin, April 2, 2006 10:08 AM ||Dolphin -- I'd argue that the latter part of your definition supports my position. After all, a small majority hardly constitutes "the masses" in my book. "My experience is that folks understand "Most" to be up in the range of 2/3 or 3/4 -- or even the old "4 out of 5 dentists" range.
By the way -- it is nice to have your comment. Any chance of your dropping the block you put in on me at your site?
|| Posted by Rhymes With Right, April 2, 2006 10:17 AM ||RWR - I think you just have an inflated view of what most means. If it makes you feel better, I agree with you that most voters voted for Bush in 2004.
|| Posted by Dan, April 2, 2006 10:40 AM ||The thing is that I do NOT agree with the statement that "most people voted for Bush in 2004." Given the margin, I would argue that such a statement overstates the case, even though he clearly got a majority of the vote.
|| Posted by Rhymes With Right, April 2, 2006 06:24 PM ||Not to be a jerk but did most of the people vote for Bush when MOST of the people that could vote did not vote at all.
Most of the people that voted, voted for Bush??
|| Posted by Andreia, April 2, 2006 10:36 PM ||Good point, Andreia. I tried to avoid making that mistake by saying most voters voted for Bush, but it could be said that not all "voters" voted. On the other hand, maybe we shouldn't be too picky on a site where a teacher doesn't even know what "most" means . . . ;-)
|| Posted by Dan, April 3, 2006 05:38 AM ||I'd take it a step further, just to be crystal clear on the matter, and say that "Most of the votes counted were for Bush"
|| Posted by dolphin, April 3, 2006 10:10 AM ||Stick it, Dan -- even based upon the definition provided above, my point is valid.
|| Posted by Rhymes With Right, April 3, 2006 10:28 AM ||Sorry, RWR - that was a cheap shot, and I regret it. You don't deserve to be mocked for your understanding of the word "most", though I do think that "most" people would disagree with you. My sincere apology.
|| Posted by Dan, April 3, 2006 10:50 AM ||Fair enough, my friend (and I use that term in all sincerity). My stress level is still a bit high, so you have my apology for the less than respectful response.
|| Posted by Rhymes With Right, April 3, 2006 05:38 PM ||Post a comment