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Category: wikiality

09/17/06 06:48 - ID#34324

Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo

Here's an example of what I love about Wikipedia (and I found this linked from Digg, which I also love):


"Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo." is a grammatically valid sentence used as an example of how homonyms and homophones can be used to create complicated constructs.
...
If a comma is allowed between subject and predicate, and the optional "that" is included, the sentence becomes:

Buffalo buffalo that Buffalo buffalo buffalo, buffalo Buffalo buffalo.

Substituting the alternative plural produces:

Buffalo buffaloes that Buffalo buffaloes buffalo, buffalo Buffalo buffaloes.

If the homophones were then replaced with other words, it would look like:

Buffalo bisons that Buffalo bisons intimidate, intimidate Buffalo bisons.

Finally, using common articles produces:

The Buffalo bisons that Buffalo bisons intimidate, intimidate Buffalo bisons.

It may help to consider the following sentence, which has the same grammatical structure as the original.

Many things many people say confuse many people.


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