Bob’s not one to figure out that the sign casts shade within which he may sit an await succor. But then Bob didn’t figure out that he didn’t have enough fuel for the trip either.
My neighbor, who was from a farming family for generations, always said “Six of one, a half-dozen of the other.” Which meant there wasn’t really any difference between the two choices. She told us one her Mom learned from some relative of her Mom’s; “Cut half in two.” THAT one confused us, until we realized she meant cut it in half, then cut the halves into halves.
I’m sorry, folks. I thought this was a common, universally understood phrase. Guess it’s become archaic. And as loathe as I am to explaining a joke, I’ll break my rule this time. It simply means it doesn’t make any difference. One person says six, while another says a half dozen. The result is the same, like saying, tom-AY-to or tom-AH-to. Guess I’ll have to do another cartoon to update it with more current terminology.
A lot of people have trouble with fractions, and how many people count the number of eggs in a dozen. A number of You tube videos use the analogy to a dozen to explain the concept of a mole. I constantly have to explain to my students what a dozen is, let alone a mole.
The top 1% of the usual income distribution holds over $25 trillion in wealth, which exceeds the wealth of the bottom 80 percent. That is more than all the goods and services produced in the U.S. economy in 2018
Hey at least he has a gas can. Most wouldn’t and get to the gas station with no way to get the gas back to the car. Speaking of which, what happens when these new fangled electric cars runs out of juice in the middle of nowhere. Do the come with miles of extension cord? That could be Wiley’s next gag. Car at the side of the road with an extension cord a couple of yards sort of the plug
OK, a big long thing to help him make a decision. Most likely he’s not in the tropics, so the sun is always shining from the South and moving East to West. This means that he is facing roughly North. West is to his left, East is to his right. It looks like a desert, so he would want to minimize sun exposure. If he goes West he is walking into the sun. Walking East he gets the sun on his back – a better choice. Go East, old man, go East.
“Been walking my mind to an easy time, my back turned to the sun…”
I like to switch it around to “six dozen of one, half of the other.” As for the cartoon, I like Wiley’s work a lot, but this one isn’t really doing it for me.
mr_sherman Premium Member over 4 years ago
If it’s miles, he’ll get there in a few hours.
Imagine over 4 years ago
Depends on whether he wants that gas canister half full or half empty.
Bilan over 4 years ago
The expression is six of one, half a dozen of the other.
What does six to one mean?
Concretionist over 4 years ago
Bob’s not one to figure out that the sign casts shade within which he may sit an await succor. But then Bob didn’t figure out that he didn’t have enough fuel for the trip either.
Dtroutma over 4 years ago
One miles the other meters, makes the choice easy..
DonPoole over 4 years ago
Miles to the gas station.
vlad8601 over 4 years ago
six of one not six to one
Zykoic over 4 years ago
The unprepared and unobservant are left with chitty choices.
Gary Fabian over 4 years ago
Must be a dream. Lines in the road are not painted that way.
VincentGoudreault over 4 years ago
Funny that the road marking does not cater for someone coming from the left going straight to the right…
destry1970 over 4 years ago
I hate having to make up my mind about some thing when I have all ready screwed up cuz I know how it’s going to end.
dot-the-I over 4 years ago
Legacy of the longhorn: You’re screwed either way.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 4 years ago
Yup. and no matter which way you chose, the station will be closed for a wedding. Been there.
DrDavy2000 over 4 years ago
I like to say, “It’s half of one, six dozen of the other.” It’s interesting how few people notice the bon mot (or faux faux pas).
1953Baby over 4 years ago
Then there are the days where everything you touch, you drop. . .
elainefmexico over 4 years ago
everybody is a critic?
sandpiper over 4 years ago
Much ado about a guy who has like 1 chance in . . .? Never mind.
LadyPeterW over 4 years ago
My neighbor, who was from a farming family for generations, always said “Six of one, a half-dozen of the other.” Which meant there wasn’t really any difference between the two choices. She told us one her Mom learned from some relative of her Mom’s; “Cut half in two.” THAT one confused us, until we realized she meant cut it in half, then cut the halves into halves.
The Pro from Dover over 4 years ago
Last gas this exit
michaeljwolff over 4 years ago
There’s a signpost ahead. His next stop: The Twilight Zone.
goblue86 over 4 years ago
To explain ground hog day, my Mom would say “6 weeks if he sees his shadow, 42 days if he doesn’t”
dalee3 over 4 years ago
Yes. What is 6 to 1? Time of day?
Durak Premium Member over 4 years ago
It doesn’t seem to matter which direction he takes. He’s in for a bit of a stroll.
SIERAGATOR Premium Member over 4 years ago
My thought as well!
Wiley creator over 4 years ago
I’m sorry, folks. I thought this was a common, universally understood phrase. Guess it’s become archaic. And as loathe as I am to explaining a joke, I’ll break my rule this time. It simply means it doesn’t make any difference. One person says six, while another says a half dozen. The result is the same, like saying, tom-AY-to or tom-AH-to. Guess I’ll have to do another cartoon to update it with more current terminology.
the lost wizard over 4 years ago
Looks like the end of the road for him no matter what.
cmccallum over 4 years ago
A lot of people have trouble with fractions, and how many people count the number of eggs in a dozen. A number of You tube videos use the analogy to a dozen to explain the concept of a mole. I constantly have to explain to my students what a dozen is, let alone a mole.
Warhaft over 4 years ago
“Six of one, half-dozen of the other.” Still common where I live.
shorzy over 4 years ago
The top 1% of the usual income distribution holds over $25 trillion in wealth, which exceeds the wealth of the bottom 80 percent. That is more than all the goods and services produced in the U.S. economy in 2018
mistercatworks over 4 years ago
The important thing is to keep moving.
tonedeafdog over 4 years ago
I’m old enough to remember the phrase, but I always thought the phrase was “six OF one, half dozen OF the other”
willie_mctell over 4 years ago
Isn’t it “of?”
Dr_Fogg over 4 years ago
The problems is that no one understands that is 6 miles/kilometers to one and 6 to the other. And whether or not the bathroom is open and clean.
hda2z Premium Member over 4 years ago
I’m sure (MAYBE) anyone OVER 50 should get this
WaltWenger Premium Member over 4 years ago
On the other hand, …
Pisces over 4 years ago
It is a common, universally understood phrase. Can’t imagine anyone not having heard of it before! So, Wiley, no apology needed. It’s a great comic!!
locake over 4 years ago
The sign doesn’t say WHAT is 6 or half dozen to. It may be a restaurant or motel or a rest stop.
sarah413 Premium Member over 4 years ago
Or, as was said by Yogi Berra, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”
jlj1108 over 4 years ago
I’ve heard that expression all my life. Of course, I’m 71 so maybe the general population doesn’t use it much anymore. But I did like the cartoon.
Ka`ōnōhi`ula`okahōkūmiomio`ehiku Premium Member over 4 years ago
Decisions, decisions.
Should I walk six miles left or six miles right?
Indecision has often left many at the crossroads.’
flpmlp over 4 years ago
It is hard to believe some could not know this!!
eastern.woods.metal over 4 years ago
Hey at least he has a gas can. Most wouldn’t and get to the gas station with no way to get the gas back to the car. Speaking of which, what happens when these new fangled electric cars runs out of juice in the middle of nowhere. Do the come with miles of extension cord? That could be Wiley’s next gag. Car at the side of the road with an extension cord a couple of yards sort of the plug
Ka`ōnōhi`ula`okahōkūmiomio`ehiku Premium Member over 4 years ago
OK, a big long thing to help him make a decision. Most likely he’s not in the tropics, so the sun is always shining from the South and moving East to West. This means that he is facing roughly North. West is to his left, East is to his right. It looks like a desert, so he would want to minimize sun exposure. If he goes West he is walking into the sun. Walking East he gets the sun on his back – a better choice. Go East, old man, go East.
“Been walking my mind to an easy time, my back turned to the sun…”
dinger053 Premium Member over 4 years ago
I don’t know how many times I heard my dad, Bob, say this. It’s a great cartoon!
imriggerdan over 4 years ago
I got it, but Im 60
Redd Panda over 4 years ago
Boy, what an abstract! Does it have to do with man’s place in the universe? Am I seeing more, than is really there?
物事はめったにありません。
yarnm57 over 4 years ago
I learned it as “six of one, half-dozen the other.” Same difference. Keep it up Wiley.
paullp Premium Member over 4 years ago
I like to switch it around to “six dozen of one, half of the other.” As for the cartoon, I like Wiley’s work a lot, but this one isn’t really doing it for me.
elhead3 over 4 years ago
Millennials
chenry over 4 years ago
It’s six and a half of one, a dozen of the other.
keenanthelibrarian over 4 years ago
I always thought the phrase was “Six of one, half dozen of the other”. Means the same as the cartoon, I guess. Thanks for the clarification, Wiley.
johnstep over 4 years ago
Nope, don’t update it. “Those who do not study history are bound to repeat it.”
Rfrysinger over 4 years ago
I thought it was 6 OF one, half a dozen OF the other.
tsm65 Premium Member over 4 years ago
Great toon, I got it.“Six of one, half a dozen of the other…”
Bicycle Dude over 4 years ago
Wiley, I got it. And more importantly it’s how I live my life.
delegr about 4 years ago
I liked it!