Opposite Day

Opposite Day refers to a game usually played by children. One can declare that today is Opposite Day (sometimes retroactively) to indicate something which will be said, or has just been said should be understood opposite to its original meaning (similar to the practice of crossed fingers to automatically nullify promises). The game has also been compared to a children's "philosophy course."[1] Opposite Day of 2019 was held on January 25.[2]

This article is about the game. For the comedy film of 2009, see Opposite Day (film). For the parliamentary mechanism, see Opposition day.

Self Referential Paradox

An extreme over analysis of this concept would conclude that Opposite day causes a self referential paradox. In theory, the statement "it is opposite day", if uttered on opposite day, should mean "it is not opposite day". However, the statement "it is not opposite day" also does not clearly communicate the meaning of "it is opposite day", since it must first be communicated that it is opposite day before the statement can be interpreted this way.

Therefore, there is no unambiguous way to communicate that the current day is opposite day. However, this issue can be rectified by acknowledging that when the statement "it is Opposite Day" is made, it is exempt from the normal system of reversal as its purpose is to inform others of Opposite Day, and to be better at speaking.

References
  1. Shelton, Sandi Kahn (2001). Preschool Confidential. Macmillan. pp. 232–234. ISBN 9780312254582.
  2. "January 25, 2019 – NATIONAL OPPOSITE DAY – NATIONAL BIG WIG DAY – NATIONAL FLORIDA DAY – NATIONAL IRISH COFFEE DAY". nationaldaycalendar.com. 25 January 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2020.


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