The familiar sound of a smoke alarm from somewhere in our complex prompted a perplexing question.
Why does an alarm go off? Shouldn't it go on? When the alarm goes off in the midst of baking, we then turn it off again. Is that off-off? Or does that mean it's on, much like a double negative creates a positive?
Why are English phrases so unreliable and baffling!?
I figure "go off" means that it goes crazy, which is kinda true, so it makes sense! :)
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