Archived link: https://archive.ph/Vjl1M
Here’s a nice little distraction from your workday: Head to Google, type in any made-up phrase, add the word “meaning,” and search. Behold! Google’s AI Overviews will not only confirm that your gibberish is a real saying, it will also tell you what it means and how it was derived.
This is genuinely fun, and you can find lots of examples on social media. In the world of AI Overviews, “a loose dog won’t surf” is “a playful way of saying that something is not likely to happen or that something is not going to work out.” The invented phrase “wired is as wired does” is an idiom that means “someone’s behavior or characteristics are a direct result of their inherent nature or ‘wiring,’ much like a computer’s function is determined by its physical connections.”
It all sounds perfectly plausible, delivered with unwavering confidence. Google even provides reference links in some cases, giving the response an added sheen of authority. It’s also wrong, at least in the sense that the overview creates the impression that these are common phrases and not a bunch of random words thrown together. And while it’s silly that AI Overviews thinks “never throw a poodle at a pig” is a proverb with a biblical derivation, it’s also a tidy encapsulation of where generative AI still falls short.
I live in a part of the USA where, decades later, I still hear brand new and seemingly made-up idioms on a fairly regular basis. This skill set, making sense of otherwise fake sounding idioms based on limited context, is practically a necessity 'round these parts. After all, you can’t feed a cow a carrot and expect it to shit you out a cake.
Well, obviously… you’re missing the flour and eggs!
The cow can supply the butter though, right?
Yes, but you have to shake the cow pretty vigorously.
Just put on some moosic.
I mean are you asking it if there is a history of an idiom existing or just what the idiom could mean?
One arm hair in the hand is better than two in the bush
The saying “you can’t cross over a duck’s river” is a play on words, suggesting that it’s difficult to cross a river that is already filled with ducks. It’s not a literal statement about rivers and ducks, but rather an idiom or idiom-like phrase used to express the idea that something is difficult or impossible to achieve due to the presence of obstacles or challenges.
I used the word “origin” instead of “meaning”, which didn’t seem to work.
I for one will not be putting any gibberish into Google’s AI for any reason. I don’t find it fun. I find it annoying and have taken steps to avoid it completely on purpose. I don’t understand these articles that want to throw shade at AI LLM’s by suggesting their viewers go use the LLM’s which only helps the companies that own the LLM’s.
Like. Yes. We have established that LLM’s will give misinformation and create slop because all their data sets are tainted. Do we need to continue to further this nonsense?
3 ways to skin a horse
Straight up sizzle out of existence.
What? Why is that?
The saying “you can’t butter a fly” is an idiom expressing that someone or something is too difficult to influence or manipulate. It’s rooted in the idea that butterflies, with their delicate nature, are virtually impossible to convince to do anything against their will, let alone “butter” them in a literal sense.
deleted by creator
This is a great example - it kinda makes sense if you skim read it but butterflies have nothing to do with butter, just like hotdogs have nothing to do with dogs.
deleted by creator
No, that phrase means “this situation is hopeless because the person is incapable of change”. You can’t turn a fly into a butterfly, no matter how hard you try.
“three horses, one carrot, a slice at a time or live in purple sauce”
When many want the same reward, it must be shared slowly—or chaos/absurdity ensues.
deleted by creator
“AI cannot peel the cat down to the dog’s bark”
AI can’t reduce complex, chaotic, or nuanced things (like a cat) into something simple or binary (like a dog’s bark).
A binary dog will never pee you virtual bananas.
A purely logical or programmed entity (like AI) will never give you true absurdity, spontaneity, or joyfully irrational experiences (the “virtual bananas”).
“The one who lives thinking of fruit in Uranus will never eat a banana.”
If you’re too obsessed with absurd or far-off ideas, you’ll miss what’s right in front of you.
“A vaccine with no green paint will never straighten its leaves.”
solution that lacks vitality or authenticity can’t truly heal or nurture life. Or, you can’t fix organic problems with lifeless tools.
This also works with asking it “why?” About random facts you make up.
That is a fascinating take on the general reaction to LLMs. Thanks for posting this!
You may not even be able to lick a badger once, if it’s already angry. Which it will be because it’s a fuckin’ badger.
This is both hysterical and terrifying. Congratulations.
“No man ever licks the same badger twice” - Heroclitus
deleted by creator
http://www.newforestexplorersguide.co.uk/wildlife/mammals/badgers/grooming.html
Mutual grooming between a mixture of adults and cubs serves the same function, but additionally is surely a sign of affection that strengthens the bond between the animals.
A variety of grooming postures are adopted by badgers but to onlookers, the one that is most likely to raise a smile involves the badger sitting or lying back on its haunches and, with seemingly not a care in the world (and with all hints of modesty forgotten), enjoying prolonged scratches and nibbles at its under-parts and nether regions.
That being said, that’s the European badger. Apparently the American badger isn’t very social:
https://a-z-animals.com/animals/comparison/american-badger-vs-european-badger-differences/
American badger: Nocturnal unless in remote areas; powerful digger and generally more solitary than other species. Frequently hunts with coyotes.
European badger: Digs complicated dens and burrows with their familial group; one of the most social badger species. Depending on location, hibernation may occur.
This feels like a good metaphor for US vs EU culture.
The saying “better a donkey than an ass” plays on the dual meaning of the word “ass.” It suggests that being called a donkey is less offensive than being called an ass, which can be used as an insult meaning stupid or foolish. The phrase highlights the contrast between the animal donkey, often seen as a hardworking and steady companion, and the derogatory use of “ass” in everyday language.
Yep, it does work
I think that’s a great phrase!
Better a pineapple thananananas…
It didn’t work for me. Why not?
Worked for me, but I couldn’t include any names or swearing.
Tried it. Afraid this didn’t happen, and the AI was very clear the phrase is unknown. Maybe I did it wrong or something?
I’m just here to watch the AI apologists lose their shit.
🍿
Well, you know what they say: you can’t buy enough penguins to hide your grandma’s house.
We will have to accept AIs are here to stay. Since putting wheels on grandama is the only way we can get a bike.
deleted by creator
Five downvotes and counting…