Completed or Finished?

[Ken Gargett]

Completed or Finished?

No dictionary has ever been able to satisfactorily define the difference between "complete" and "finished." However, during a recent linguistic conference, held in London , England , and attended by some of the best linguists in the world. Samsundar Balgobin, a Guyanese linguist, was the presenter when he was asked to make that very distinction. The question put to him by a colleague in the erudite audience was this: “Some say there is no difference between ‘complete’ and ‘finished.’ Please explain the difference in a way that is easy to understand.”

Mr. Balgobin’s response:

“When you marry the right woman, you are ‘complete.’ If you marry the wrong woman, you are ‘finished.’ And, if the right one catches you with the wrong one, you are ‘completely finished.”

His answer received a five minute standing ovation.

[westg]

Ha perfect answer..

[Optic101]

Wonder what "Finished Completely" would be ....

[Drguano]

Wonder what "Finished Completely" would be ....

If it took place in Helsinki...

[tippexx]

Ken finished his meal .... suggests he licked the plate.

Ken completed his meal .... suggests he hid his greens under a napkin.

[Bill Hayes]

Wonder what "Finished Completely" would be ....

A tautology

[Optic101]

If it took place in Helsinki...

A tautology

[Cletus]

Mr. Balgolbin sounds like he's one cunning linguist.

[Colt45]

If the ending is happy, I feel syntax is irrelevant......

[Warren]

Mr. Balgolbin sounds like he's one cunning linguist.

Ha Ha, good play on words Sir.

[Susanne]

Ha Ha, good play on words Sir.

Mr. Balgolbin sounds like he's one cunning linguist.

I'm sure the comment was tounge-in-ch... um... never mind...