The Meaning of Lost Socks
by Biedermeier X. Leeuwenhoek
Abstract:
From the Proceedings of the 49th Convention of the American Datatician Society Meeting, Akron Hilton, Akron, Ohio. November 1994.Excerpt from author's remarks, Professor Bingham S. Tewksbury:
"We of the ADS are pleased to announce that the mystery of where lost socks go has been quantitatively pinpointed subsequent to a lengthy and rigorous double-blind study.... We believe that the results, shown in the accompanying [table], contain no surprises, and in fact conform quite closely to what is called 'common sense.' "
Table
Lost Socks: Where Do They Go?
Percentage Lost
Explanation
26 %
Left in Washer
25 %
Left in Dryer
21 %
Dropped, to/from laundry
14 %
Stuck, through static, to corner of fitted sheet or article of clothing
13 %
One sock thrown out because other is "missing"
100 %
TOTAL
Note: Margin of error plus or minus 4 percentage points. Source: ADS *
(Humor copyright © 1994 by Andrew G. McCann.)
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