Little John, Robin Hood and Friar Tuck were hiding from the Sheriff’s men in Sherwood forest.
They had been hiding up a tree for days and were down to one last apple left to eat. Being a kind and holy man, Friar Tuck said that Robin and Little John could share it between them. Robin promptly sliced the apple in half and asked John which half he wanted.
“The bigger half of course,” replied John hungrily.
“You mean the biggest half surely,” retorted Robin angrily. “Use the King’s English, you fool.”
“It’s bigger.”
“No, it’s biggest.”
A verbal fight ensued until finally Robin turned to Friar Tuck.
“Good Friar, are you not an educated man?”
“Yes indeed Robin” replied Friar.
“Then settle this. Which of us is correct?”
“Neither of you actually, my friends.”
Why isn’t either of them correct?
Answer
Because if you cut something in half, both halves should be the same size. There is neither a “bigger” half nor a “biggest” half.
