Word: absurd
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Dates: during 1900-1909
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...short, if a difficult theoretical subject like logic or psychology or history of philosophy is really to reach a large number of beginners, it would be absurd for the instructor to feel influenced by such negative votes, unless he knew the quality of the voter. Above all it would be dangerous for our elective system, if serious students were guided by such a commentary in the choice of their courses. There may be poor courses in the University, but the chances are great that this kind of canvassing with this kind of answering and tabulating entirely distorts the picture...
...Cambridge not intimately connected with their pursuit of happiness. At the mention of glass flowers or vesper services, they assume an intensely cynical look and say that these are excellent things to amuse one's family, but really hardly worthy of note. They are rather proud of this absurd affectation, and consider themselves quite superior if they get away from Cambridge without making the most of their opportunities...
Formerly, the men of the detective department were recruited from the police force by a civil service examination. Once the applicant had passed it, he was a member of the force for good. This absurd method has now been changed and the selection of the detective, as well as his dismissal, depends wholly on the commissioner. He has also been given the right to promote any detective, with the result that a far greater activity has been recently shown in this work. During a certain period in 1906, 2000 men were arrested and 300 convicted; during the same space...
...partial to the major sports; but this lack of fair play is what brings forth my protest. Is the man who runs on the track every day during the winter supposed to do his college work conscientiously, while the basketball player neglects his? Such a supposition is ob- viously absurd. Either both athletes will study, or both will not do any work. If one has to give up his athletics while the other keeps on exercising, the result would be that he who had no incentive to keep off probation would be the one to neglect study. Hence, the best...
Curtailment, further handicap, more lead to the anchor. It's as absurd as it is typical. If that small, quaint, and old-fashioned distinction of issue between victory and defeat be not forgotten, if it bear any weight with those men in whom the injudicious restraint of athletics now lies, or if they are affected in any way by the existence of conditions which breed all over the country a broadcast belittlement of the University, why in the name of conscience and common sense don't they either abolish absolutely or let alone...