xkcd #3232: Countdown Standard
Title text:
Anyone who is caught counting ‘three … two … one … zero … GO!’ will be punished with a lifetime of eating only ISO standard food samples.
Transcript:
Transcript will show once it’s been added to explainxkcd.com
Source: https://xkcd.com/3232/
I know someone who would always say “we go on three” and then just shout “three!” Without counting or anything. I told him that was super confusing and he just didn’t agree and moved on
I think he was making fun of you.
He was an EMT and it was about lifting someone in sync so they don’t fall…
Pretty good joke, to be honest.
I think it’s so the person being lifted doesn’t tense, when ready for it. So you kind of surprised them but it’s an acceptable surprise, as they are expecting a move.
These are usually either unconscious or screaming people, not the kind to care about what an EMT says.
Playing Let’s Go Eevee with my 6yo niece the other day, and when I counted trying to time our pokeball throws she would demand to be the one who counts. Her method was to try and surprise me, it seems. She would change the timing between each number independently every time, like “3, … …… 21GO!” Sometimes, she would just throw on 1 but keep counting. Realized it was easier just to watch her arm.
Well, five is right out.
That’s what I do. If you’re ready, you’re ready, no point in counting.
Why use a number then!?
Saying three implies one and two.
Why not say “on my mark” or something?
I didn’t say it was not confusing. It’s part of the joke.