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xkcd #3084: Unstoppable Force and Immovable Object
(imgs.xkcd.com)
Title text:
Unstoppable force-carrying particles can't interact with immovable matter by definition.
Transcript:
[An arrow pointing to the right and a trapezoid are labeled as 'Unstoppable Force' and 'Immovable Object' respectively.]
[The arrow is shown as entering the trapezoid from the left and the part of it in said trapezoid is coloured gray.]
[The arrow is shown as leaving the trapezoid to the right and is coloured black.]
[Caption below the panel:] I don't see why people find this scenario to be tricky.
Source: https://xkcd.com/3084/
The expression as I heard included "an irresistible force."
That's on the nsfw version of xkcd
Oglaf?
xkcd after dark, or xkcdad. But not pronounced xkc-dad.
Yeah, irresistible force is the version I know. Now I'm wondering if there are even more versions. Are they regional deviations?
Well I'm from Utica and I've never heard the term "irresistible force"
Not in Utica, no. It's an Albany expression.
Sure could go for some steamed hams right about now..
While not what you're asking for, but fun fact, in Asia, this sort of paradox is represented by the story of the all-piercing spear and the unpierceable shield in Chinese philosophy. So in Chinese and Japanese, the word for 'paradox' or 'contradiction' literally means 'spear-shield' (矛盾).
They are synonyms for that usage. The immovable object is neither stopping nor resisting the force.
"And irresistible is what I am, baby!"