Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2009 February 28

Welcome to the Wikipedia Miscellaneous Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.

February 28

junkyard dog

why was he called this? the wrestler i mean? i don't need a link to his page. plz ty --Dairywebz (talk) 00:39, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

It's a reference to the Jim Croce song Bad, Bad Leroy Brown. The title character was said to be "meaner than a junkyard dog." (It's not clear if Croce was the first to use the expression or not.) - Eron^Talk 00:45, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

And I guess it goes without saying that a junkyard dog is a dog that guards a junkyard, a stereotypically mean and tough beast (often depicted as Rottweilers in movies). --98.217.14.211 (talk) 01:37, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

Yeah. Croce said of the phrase, "I spent about a year and a half driving those $29 cars, so I drove around a lot looking for a universal joint for a '57 Chevy panel truck or a transmission for a '51 Dodge. I got to know many junkyards well, and they all have those dogs in them. They all have either an axle tied around their necks or an old lawnmower to keep 'em at least slowed down a bit, so you have a decent chance of getting away from them." - Eron^Talk 01:45, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

Google book search provides no instances of the phrase actually published before the song (there are a few ref with spurious dates). Neither does Google News Archive. They have lots of usages since the song. Edison (talk) 02:34, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

A comprehensive ProQuest search turns up no instances of the term before 1973 at all. --98.217.14.211 (talk) 18:49, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

sex position

in man's eyes, how man's penis and woman's bottom would look like in this position? (if possible, is there a video of that?)

Try it and see for yourself.--Artjo (talk) 14:47, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

Aha, but you are assuming the OP is male. I've known women who were concerned as to how their posterior would look to a man in certain sexual positions. I'm sure there are certainly videos available. I dare say the internet specialises in such things. Fribbler (talk) 16:23, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

The OP doesn't necessarily have to be male to find out. They could experiment with a female friend with some aid or they could ask their male partner to take a picture. And the OP didn't mention any concern for the size of their posterior. --Dismas|^(talk) 18:11, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

They did ask, as part of their question, how a woman's bottom would look. Also they may not have a male partner to practice with, and merely want to know the theoretical visual effect. Though maybe I'm approaching this question backwards....... Fribbler (talk) 21:20, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

It's probably OR, but I'd suggest they look hot. - Eron^Talk 18:44, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

There are tons of videos of "that" on the internet. Google "reverse cowgirl" and you'll find a million such things. --98.217.14.211 (talk) 18:53, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

And if you google "POV Reverse Cowgirl" you'll get exactly what you are looking for. In porn-parlance, POV means the video is shot from the man's perspective, such that it appears that you are looking through "his" eyes. --Jayron32.talk.contribs 20:51, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

A Google image search for that phrase with safesearch on gives two results, both very interesting (and very worksafe): http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/Frogspawn_closeup.jpg/120px-Frogspawn_closeup.jpg and http://upload.wikimedia.org/math/0/4/5/045011a3b45d499f566e58a868122c54.png --Carnildo (talk) 03:13, 5 March 2009 (UTC)

Management dilemma 1 (from Threshold Competitor Participant’s Manual)

This is from the APPENDIX F of Threshold Competitor Participant’s Manual by Philip H. Anderson et al (book will be used for my cousre):

"“… and whichever of the decisions you choose to make on this matter is totally up to you.” The door closes behind you as you walk out of David Anderscott’s office. Just what you need, another smoldering fire that might burst into flames no matter what you do. You stop and chat with several office workers on your way back to your office. But your mind is really on this new situation concerning Emily Bergmeier.

Emily is your purchasing agent and has been a trusted employee in Anderscott organizations for many years. She has a business degree from one of the better schools and has used her knowledge to keep your total purchasing expenditures among the lowest in the industry. Anderscott has just informed you that Emily has been accepting payments from one of your suppliers. For every $100 of goods she buys from the supplier, she receives a payment of $1 in the form of merchandise or cash mailed to her home. Information obtained by Anderscott indicates that no cost to the company can be traced to her actions. In fact, her performance has made her a highly recruited professional.

You must decide what to do about this embarrassing, if not illegal, situation. Your options, as spelled out by Anderscott, are to:

1. Do nothing since Emily is performing well and your costs are among the lowest in the industry.

The effect of this action could result in a $25,000 fine by industry governmental regulators. If you are fined, it will be paid next quarter.

2. Terminate Emily immediately. Call the supplier and tell them of the problem. Inform your new purchasing agent not to purchase from that supplier in the future.

The effect of this action could cause raw material costs to increase by 40% next quarter.

3. Terminate Emily immediately. Call the supplier and tell them of the problem. Inform your new purchasing agent not to accept payments from any of your suppliers.

The effect of this action could cause raw material costs to increase by 25% next quarter.

4. Discipline Emily immediately. Call the supplier and tell them of the problem. Inform Emily not to accept payments from the supplier.

The effect of this action could cause raw material costs to increase by 10% next quarter.

5. Appoint a committee of supervisors to investigate the accusations and report back to you with their findings and recommendations.

The effect of this action could result in a $20,000 fine by industry governmental regulators if no corrective action seems likely. You would pay this fine next quarter.

Enter the number of your decision on the Production and Finance screen...."

All the options suggest that this situation is bad. But I don't really understand what's so bad about Emily actions? Help?? 117.0.62.154 (talk) 16:10, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

It is very clear that Emily is accepting a bribe from the supplier. Whilst this may not be uncommon it is unacceptable, Not, perhaps?, for one person, but it can be the thin end of the wedge, and much more serious theft will occur. (It is theft since the amount she is taking could be deducted from your invoices.) Bear in mind, also, that she may be a brilliant agent, but she has allowed herself to get caught. In the given circumstances I think I would call her in and reprimand her strongly. She - it could be argued - has used her skills to generate personal income and may not even realise this is wrong. It is certainly against company policy. So I would want to keep her, but ensure she is honest from now on. Repay the monies...? Probably best to ignore. They will be spent, and if you want to keep her, leave it be. I would not tell the supplier. Make Emily do it.86.202.27.19 (talk) 16:41, 28 February 2009 (UTC)DT

The situation represents a conflict of interest, an ethics violation, not necessarily bribery (though bribery might be implied, it specifically requires a change in behavior, which seems unlikely here since the supplier is evidently significantly less expensive than average (40%!)). I also note that none of the actions appears moderate; why would you reprimand an employee before talking with her to determine the details of the situation. For example, placing an order with an office supply company might result in additional pads of note paper with the supplier's contact information. Is it wrong to accept those? If the office policy allows for workers to take work home, why not note paper to do the work as well? Similarly, a supplier might send "samples" in the hope of future business—if the company has no use for these samples should they just be thrown away unused? If the supplier treats these "extras" as a marketing expense, they will not be willing to simply deduct the "cost" from invoices. If this really is a matter regulated by some government agency (based on the details), then informing Emily of that fact and asking her to resolve the situation would seem to be the most reasonable action here. If she then fails to do so, a reprimand is warranted. – 74  17:21, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

It's certainly an ethics violation - the theoretical problem is that perhaps Emily could be getting even BIGGER savings for the company if she went with a different supplier - but she's not going to because she'd lose her 1% 'bribe' - at that point you can't accept that she's acting in your best interests 100% of the time. Furthermore - she's exhibiting a willingness to ignore your corporate ethics guidelines - and that means that she might do something MUCH more serious in the future. Worse still - you are dealing with a supplier who is prepared to bribe your employees - who knows what other kick-backs they might be giving to your staff? Plus - if they were prepared to give 1% to Emily - why won't they give 1% to your company? But it's also a matter of trust. Once you can't trust people to behave ethically - all bets are off. I don't know what the consequences should be - but for sure the answer isn't "let sleeping dogs lie". Personally - I think I'd use whatever disciplinary options are open to use against Emily - short of outright dismissal. I'd also confront the supplier - whose senior management (one would hope) would not condone this. If they DO condone it - then seek other suppliers because someone that sleazy is going to screw you in other ways if they think they can get away with it. I'd want to take a careful look at the quality and reliability of whatever it is they are supplying you - who knows?...maybe these supposed savings in purchasing are coming at the expense of increased returns, increased warranty costs or decreased customer satisfaction? Someone that low in price compared to their more ethical competitors is almost certainly taking short-cuts or doing something that could drag your company down with them. SteveBaker (talk) 20:16, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

 *Ahem* This is the business world; any time you start trusting someone you're inviting them to screw you over in some manner—this behavior is practically enshrined in the capitalist's "pursuit of profit" agenda. But before we assume that Emily is out to screw your company over, perhaps we should consider if she is accepting the kick-backs because doing otherwise would endanger a lucrative (for the company) supplier relationship? In some societies, refusing a small gift would be considered an affront. The real question here is "Can you establish that this practice is hurting your business in any way?" There are many examples of so-called "kick-backs" that are widely supported by businesses; to claim otherwise is blatantly false. Do your suppliers send you a "Holiday" gift of food? Do they take clients out to eat? Do they send trinkets (paper, pens, stress balls)? Do they provide privileged options to important customers? Finally, your argument for a quality review applies to any underpriced good. I don't dispute that this is a conflict of interest (you might note I said exactly that), but rampaging around like this behavior will be the ruin of the company is counterproductive and completely unwarranted. – 74  23:47, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

I'd definitely go with the investigation option. The said "Anderscott has just informed you that Emily has been accepting payments from one of your suppliers". How do they know this and, more importantly, can they prove this ? If not, depending on the jurisdiction, there could be an even more expensive suit for "wrongful dismissal". Also note that ethics vary from country to country. In some places, accepting anything from a supplier would be a violation. In other places, small gifts are OK, but not cash. Then there are some places where such bribes are expected as just a normal part of business. StuRat (talk) 21:10, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

As a Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (MCIPS), I would call her in, tell her I had information that she was accepting bribes from a supplier; explain that I would probably find it difficult to prove that information to be factual; but also explain that in order to protect her from such allegations being pursued by others in the organisation, to its professional and ethical detriment, I was proposing to ask the HR Dept, and the Finance Dept., to carry out an audit of her personal banking accounts (with her permission of course)(in her absolute own personal interests of course), and suggest that their findings might result in her records being referred to the Income Tax authorities. Any hostile redress by her, based on that course of action being an invasion of her privacy, would be countered by a re-referral to her contract of employment, that would reveal her permit to "such investigations by the company into a "potentially vulnerable" corporate officer's financial affairs" that would have been signed by her as a condition of her employment. I would also tell her a story about Al Capone before accepting her resignation.............92.23.187.14 (talk) 00:42, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

I think there's missing information here. The situation MIGHT be embarrassing, but it's unclear why this would be illegal (set aside Emily's personal tax situation for the moment). Is the Anderscott organization one that comes under the purview of a federal agency like the SEC or quasi-regulatory authority like FINRA? Is it an insurance company that is regulated by the relevant state authority?

My feeling is advise Emily the company had evidence of the kickbacks and that behavior, if true, is a violation of company policy. See if she confesses. Given the relatively token sums (unless this has been going on for YEARS, it's not likely the overall amount is extreme), she may very well do so. No need to contact the supplier, have her tell them she's unable to accept their "gifts" anymore and leave it at that--with the understanding that it occurring again would result in termination. It would seem like threatening her with the IRS is a bit heavy-handed just to bring her behavior into compliance. Also, it's not indicated that Emily is a corporate officer (only that she is a purchasing agent) nor that she has an employment contract. Absent a contract and absent a court order, there wouldn't be any auditing of her bank accounts.--Brewfangrb (talk) 04:14, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

FIAT Uno 45-S

I own an FIAT uno 45S, I have searched everywhere and I haven't found any technical, or other information, even on Wikipedia.

Can somebody tell me some technical or other information about the 45-S ? thanks 85.220.102.49 (talk) 16:17, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

A Google search returned this result which seems to have significant technical detail (though I can't vouch for the contents). – 74  18:15, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

The article also has a link which, in turn, gets you to a download site [1] for a Haynes workshop manual. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 18:21, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

I suspect you may be seeking for overly-precise information. There really were only ever two Fiat UNO's - the Mark I and the Mark II - and the differences between them are mostly that the Mk II has softer, rounder body lines. The '45' part tells you how many horsepower the engine you have produces (45 horsepower in this case) and the 'S' bit is just relates to the trim level. So pretty much any FIAT UNO information will generally apply to your car (in areas such as brakes, transmisssion, wiring, etc) - and even information about an UNO 45-S will only tell you that you have a 45 horsepower engine - not WHICH 45 horsepower engine (there were at least three different ones that used that designation). So you really need to pop the hood and look at the engine itself to see which one you have.

I used to have the Uno-55 with the Mk II 'FIRE' engine in it...the car was red - so of course we called it 'the fire engine'...I loved my Fiat Uno. They have their detractors - but I like small lightweight cars with the wheels pushed out to the corners. The Uno was a lot of fun to drive around little English country roads - it did great handbrake-turns, I learned to park in supermarket parking lots by zipping along the road - then when I saw an empty space, whacking the steering hard over, stomping on the clutch and yanking on the handbrake to whip it around 90 degrees and it would roll right into the spot...very alarming for onlookers...very bad for tyres and transmission - but a lot of fun in a 'disposable' car! SteveBaker (talk) 19:45, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

Even more alarming for the owners of the cars on either side... Handbrake turns are certainly not a recommended method of bay parking... --Tango (talk) 20:32, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

^{[reference required]} Oh...Ok then. SteveBaker (talk) 21:27, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

"reference required"? What {{fact}} tags are you using? --Tango (talk) 22:37, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

Geometry textbooks in Utah

Is there anywhere I can find what exact textbook the State of Utah uses (or the Granite School District to be more specific) uses for its Geometry classes? 75.169.209.126 (talk) 18:04, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

The obvious method would be to contact a geometry teacher and ask. I suspect most teachers would be happy to answer such a question. – 74  18:09, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

The school district should also have some sort of contact info on the web that shouldn't be too hard to find with Google. Dismas|^(talk) 18:13, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

Well, it's the weekend, I really can't contact my geometry teacher right now (and I need the publisher of the textbook now so I can find it online, I know whoever the publisher is has the textbook online). I'll try seeing what the GSD website has to say, though... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.169.209.126 (talk) 18:18, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

To be fair, you never mentioned that you needed this info by Monday morning. As an aside, I'm having trouble figuring out why you would need the name and publisher of a text book for a class which you presumably are currently enrolled in. It's the middle of the semester, haven't you been using the book for several weeks now? Dismas|^(talk) 04:56, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Most likely because the title is eminently forgettable (e.g. "Geometry Applications and Principles") and the publisher is rarely, if ever, noted. The OP might, however, be able to identify the cover of the book using a Google image search. – 74  12:47, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Surely it is going to depend on what grade you are in? You need to give us all the relevant information if we are going to be able to help. --Tango (talk) 18:21, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

Well if it's necessary I'm in Grade 9. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.169.209.126 (talk) 18:40, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

Call one of your friends from the class...? TenOfAllTrades(talk) 21:03, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

Only because I didn't skip being your age once: This looks promising [2] Your google broken? 76.97.245.5 (talk) 02:06, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

That link got it! Thanks. I forgot to reply only until I had another question for the RD. You have spared my grade! 75.169.205.74 (talk) 23:07, 2 March 2009 (UTC)

medical condition?

Is there a name for the condition where after copious ammounts of alcohol one finds certain females attractive, which they would never do if they were sober? For example the other night I was at an office function and i had a strong urge to get off with a 45 year old colleague of mine, and i am only 23 myself. 79.75.247.118 (talk) 21:06, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

Well, we have the article Beer goggles. As for a medical term, I've only heard it referred to as "reduced sexual inhibitions due to alcohol consumption". No snappy name, I'm afraid. Fribbler (talk) 21:19, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

(ec) I doubt there is a proper medical term for it - but 'disinhibition' might come close. Informally 'Beer goggles' is one I like (and of course we have an article on that!) It's interesting to watch the Mythbusters episode where they attempted to prove or disprove the claim by at least somewhat scientific means. Their result was not as clear as you'd like - and with a sample of only three people doing the testing, it could never be more than a game - but there was at least a general trend to seeing others as more attractive after HEAVY drinking - although it was not at all clear that this was the case after 'just a couple of beers' - in particular, their female subject strongly REDUCED her judgement of men after just a couple of drinks - only to come back with a large increase in her attraction to them by the time she was decently drunk. Make your own conclusions! SteveBaker (talk) 21:24, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

Actually, there are a few concepts that are thought to influence this behaviour. The two major ones (which are not mutually exclusive), are alcohol disinhibition theory and alcohol myopia theory. The former essentially states that alcohol is a general disinhibitor and so it decouples the cognitive mechanisms that would normally moderate those sexual impulses. The latter states that drunk individuals are unable to process relevant sensory cues simultaneously because of a limitation in cognitive capacity associated with alcohol intoxication. Therefore drunk individuals are more influenced by salient environmental cues at the expense of less salient cues. In this case, the cue driving sexual contact was more salient that those that would normally tell you this woman was unattractive to you. Rockpocket 22:09, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

Also, there's probably a psychological element to this as well, a sort of a placebo effect: if you believe that you find women more attractive when you're drunk, chances are that you will. -- Captain Disdain (talk) 23:32, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

Resort

Do people think it's viable to resort to such low-cost options as the Internet especially during an economical downturn? As I see it, it's like people just didn't want to use it, even if it existed, maybe because of technophobia (mostly because they've not used it for most of their life so they just don't want to start). Now that everything is tightening up, though, they're going to be forced to use it because it's better than nothing... but really, it would solve a lot of problems. Thoughts? -- Mentifisto 23:51, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

Resort to the internet instead of what? What problem are these people trying to solve? --Tango (talk) 00:00, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

I've pointed that out in the first sentence. The current economical downturn... Woolworths already employed the tactic by opening an Internet-only shopping site. -- Mentifisto 00:05, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

No, you didn't point it out, the economic downturn is the reason for needing a low-cost option, not the problem that needs solving. So you're asking about retailers switching to online-only shopping? I doubt that will be very widespread, although there may be a few more examples. --Tango (talk) 00:12, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

I think the OP means for retailers or businesses to resort to low-cost distribution like the internet as a sales channel during economic downturns. It's certainly possible. Many producers find themselves with excess inventory during a recession. Low-cost sales channels compliment "discounting" to shed that inventory. Most companies that are capable of internet distribution, however, don't suffer from technophobia. In order to be competitive, they have to recruit flexible and capable people who would see the internet as a viable option in all economic conditions.NByz (talk) 08:37, 1 March 2009 (UTC)\

Oh, and consumers will likely be willing to accept a lower "quality" sales experience (shopping online for clothing when they would prefer to see and touch the product, for example) in exchange for a lower price during a downturn.NByz (talk) 08:40, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

I find online shopping to be better, in many respects:

1) No drive necessary (which is good, because I have very little drive left, at my age).

2) I can easily read customer reviews and technical specs for the product. For some reason, brick and mortar stores seem less willing to post customers reviews of how badly their products suck.

3) I can easily compare the price with other retailers. I often see "compare our price" stickers on store shelves, but somehow the product they are selling never seems to be the higher of the two. What a coincidence that it always works out that way !

4) I don't have to ask employees where the product is stocked, only to spot the product right behind them as they are explaining how they've never even carried that product.

5) I don't hear nearly as many complaints when I do my shopping in my underwear. StuRat (talk) 16:22, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Try going to a brick and mortar shop in your underwear - I bet nobody complains. You would get some funny looks, but people would act as if nothing is at all strange when talking to you. At least, they would in England - other countries will vary. --Tango (talk) 17:06, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

I suspect that, while your fellow shoppers would probably pretend there was nothing amiss, an over-zealous store manager or "security" person might well deem you distressingly unconformist and try to make your life difficult. 93.97.184.230 (talk) 22:57, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Oh please - has NOBODY thought to link to No Pants Day? SteveBaker (talk) 04:43, 2 March 2009 (UTC)

They still where something on their top half, though. For some reason, that makes a big difference. No trousers - not a problem. No shirt - also not a problem (women may wish to wear a bikini top rather than a lace bra, though). No trousers or shirt - suddenly a problem (although, I maintain, not a problem any Englishman would dare mention). What an inconsistent race we are... --Tango (talk) 12:09, 2 March 2009 (UTC)

Wear is this place ware they where no pants ? I'd be a bit wherey of such a place, myself. :-) StuRat (talk) 16:10, 2 March 2009 (UTC)

My fingers have this annoying habit of typing homophones of the words I mean. I know the difference, I really do, but my fingers seem to receive instructions from my brain in the form of the sounds of words, not their meanings or spellings... It's extremely annoying because it makes me look like an idiot... --Tango (talk) 13:46, 3 March 2009 (UTC)

Yep, happens to me, too. I just can't resist having a bit of fun with it, though. :-) StuRat (talk) 14:34, 3 March 2009 (UTC)

Life

What should I do of my life? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.59.239.32 (talk) 23:51, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

Run away from home and join the circus. -mattbuck (Talk) 23:59, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

Whatever you like, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else. --Tango (talk) 23:59, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

If you're bored, you can always sign up for some English lessons. --Ericdn (talk) 01:39, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

It sounds like you are doing great -- asking questions is the best thing. Bus stop (talk) 02:09, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

My philosophy starts with "making things better for people than if I hadn't existed", is complimented by "more better is better" and ends with "maximizing the amoung by which I make people and 'the world' better."NByz (talk) 08:44, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Pass your genes onto the next generation - do what is necessary to ensure that the next generation is able to continue the trend. SteveBaker (talk) 02:22, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Maybe you'll find an answer in the Purpose of life article. --199.198.223.106 (talk) 07:10, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Wikipedia has an article for everything.--Mr.K. (talk) 13:08, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Why should sign up for English lessons? "do of my life" is wrong? "do with my life" is only more common or the right form? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.59.239.32 (talk) 13:11, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

That sentence takes the dative case, rather than the genitive. So, it can take for or with (for probably more refering to a career rather than other activities), but not of. In addition, Why should sign up for English lessons? is wrong; it lacks a subject - 'I' should be inserted before 'sign up'. - Jarry1250 ^{(t, c)} 13:21, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Language is about communication. The question was understood. English is just a group of refined grunts. What one does with one's life may or may not involve grunting in the English style. Bus stop (talk) 13:52, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Oh, yes, I agree - particularly with speech. But the OP asked specifically; otherwise I would have ignored the relatively slight mistakes. - Jarry1250 ^{(t, c)} 13:55, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

I must admit I don't know my dative from my genitive. Bus stop (talk) 13:59, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Bus stop, I think you do. Kittybrewster ☎ 14:10, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

It makes sense to talk of the dative when discussing Old English, but none whatsoever when discussing Modern English. DuncanHill (talk) 14:51, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

OK, then the case uses a prepositional phrase rather than the genitive case involving the word 'of'. Personally, I find the use of the word dative more useful because English's prepositional phrase is equivalent to other language's dative (German or even Latin, for example), which the OP may know. - Jarry1250 ^{(t, c)} 15:00, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

I'm sure he knows how to use them, but that's very different knowing what they actually are. (I would have to look it up to remember, although I think I once understood it.) It's like catching a ball - almost everyone knows how to put their hand out in the right place so the ball falls into it, few people know how to extrapolate trajectories based on the angles an object is above and to the sides of two base points over a short interval of time. And even fewer people care. --Tango (talk) 15:39, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

I had to look at the OP's question several times before I could even work out what was wrong with it. When you read, you don't look at every word, you just glance at sentences and take in their meaning. The meaning was perfectly clear, so I didn't notice that the preposition was wrong. While I would never make that mistake in speech, I might well make it when typing quickly, so even if I had noticed it, I would have assumed it was just a typo and not mentioned it. --Tango (talk) 15:42, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

I wish I had a nickel for every time someone said "Language is about communication," or the like, in response to a complaint about a usage that impairs communication. —Tamfang (talk) 01:10, 3 March 2009 (UTC)

If we must discuss the problem in terms of cases, I'd say the OQ needs an instrumental but contains what appears to be an ablative. —Tamfang (talk) 01:13, 3 March 2009 (UTC)

To answer our friend 83.59, "do of my life" is wrong. Why it's wrong is anybody's guess. This is the difficult part about English—we have hardly any rules, just idiom. Everybody says "What should I do with my life?", and nobody says "What should I do of my life?" or "What should I do in my life?" or "What should I do along my life?" when they mean to ask what career they should pursue. "With" actually makes less sense than "in", but that doesn't matter. It's "with". And you have a right to be angry about being told to take English lessons like that. That was rude of Ericdn. But if you do want any help with any problems you might have with English, you can ask over at the Language Reference Desk. --Milkbreath (talk) 16:59, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Jarry, Duncan has noted that 'dative case' is barely applicable to English; but you have not even analysed the sentence correctly. In talking about dative or genitive case, you are implicitly assuming that 'of my life' or 'with my life' is a prepositional phrase, but it is not: it does not pass the constituency test. (try clefting it: "?it was with my life that I did X"). In fact, the verb here is not 'do': it is 'do of', which appears to be a non-standard variant of 'do with'. That is the whole of the issue: the use of an unusual phrasal verb. There is no preposition, let alone one implying a case. And the 'error' (if you believe it is one) is simply choosing the 'wrong' particle. Interestingly, if the OP had asked 'what should I make of my life?' nobody would have cast aspersions on his or her grammar. Explain that in terms of 'dative'. --ColinFine (talk) 18:56, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

If this thread should teach the OP anything, the one thing he should NOT do (of/with/to) his life is to become a grammatical pedant... --Jayron32.talk.contribs 19:32, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Somehow the question turned to a complete unrelated discussion. So, what should I do with my life? Should I concentrate in sex/money/status/knowledge? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.59.239.32 (talk) 19:48, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Maintain a positive attitude, pursue your interests, and question everybody and everything around you. That's my advice as to what to do with your life. And also, sign your comments with four tildes (~), like this: ~~~~. Bus stop (talk) 20:11, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Yes, properly signing your posts at Wikipedia is the true path to enlightenment on the meaning of life.   :-)   – 74  22:54, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Toss a coin and give one point to every single field that you named (sex/money/status/knowledge) but also family/friends/adventure. Start living when you got 100 points, giving proportional weight according to the coin. PS: if you don't like the result of the coin you can change it.--Mr.K. (talk) 20:13, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Either make yourself happy, make others happy, or a bit of both. As long as the net happiness of the world increases due to your influence, you've done good. (At least, that's my philosophy.) --Tango (talk) 20:33, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

How can you measure happiness if you can't measure evil [3] ? A Quest For Knowledge (talk) 15:54, 2 March 2009 (UTC)

Education. It doesn't weigh much and gives you choices. So yeah, knowledge first. Then you can apply it to doing things you like. Julia Rossi (talk) 05:05, 2 March 2009 (UTC)

Ask yourself: What do you enjoy doing more than anything else? Pursue everything that interests you (including working at Wikipedia) until you find something that is perfect for you.71.30.254.216 (talk) 04:09, 6 March 2009 (UTC)