It means "if and only if" and I'm contemplating using it in everyday language. I'm just working on how to pronounce it so that everyone will know that I'm saying "iff" and not plain old "if". Because let's face it, my newfound "iff" will lose all of its panache and I'll look less determined if it comes out "if".
So do I say "if-f"? Or "if-if"? What about some sort of "if-uh"?
To see why I'm so excited about this term, play out the following circumstances in your mind:
Scene: A dinner table. Young five-year-old is refusing to eat his asparagus. Miraculously, this child has taken either advanced math classes or else introduction to logic at the local university and so is familiar with the implications of an extra F.
Mother: Theophilus, IF you eat your asparagus, Mummy and Daddy will let you have some ice cream!
Theophilus: (thinks to himself) Mummy is trying to bribe me... so maybe if I eat a bite or two, I'll still get my ice cream...
Father: Theophilus, IFF you eat your asparagus, you may have some ice cream for dessert.
Theophilus: (thinks to himself) Uh-oh. Daddy means business. The only scenario in my future which includes consuming ice cream necessarily includes eating asparagus as well. Better start chowing down!
The implications of "iff" are endless. Say "aye" iff you agree.
5 comments:
Aye.
Theophilus is an awesome name.
That's what I thought. I figured that any parents who taught their child about iff would give him a name like Theophilus.
Aye. You should definently name your first born son Theophilus, if only to share the joy of iff with him!
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