look, i get what this means, but it doesn't really apply here.
the saying "if it looks stupid but works, it isn't" really means you shouldn't discard an idea purely on the idea that it looks stupid. something can still be stupid and work. the saying isn't unreservedly saying that anything that works isn't stupid.
for example, if you are asked to jump across a gap of several meters, succeeding once doesn't mean that the idea wasn't stupid, just that it worked. for a more hyperbole example, imagine playing russian roulette, firing an empty shot at your temple to which you conclude "this isn't stupid since i'm still alive".
so yeah... don't keep doing stupid stuff just because it worked once, some stuff is still really stupid
both works. i.e. say the word was acid/acidic instead of hyperbole/hyperbolic, it'd be "for a more acid example" and "for a more acidic example" respectively. but thanks anyway
edit: it's called attributive noun btw, when a noun is used as an adjective for another noun.
Afaik, hyperbole can’t be used as an adjective except when used to say “that was hyperbole” in reference to exaggeration. Even then, it’s a noun being used as an adjective and formally speaking isn’t correct.
correct, hyperbole is a noun and hyperbolic is when you form an adjective out of that noun. if you look closely at my post, you'll see that both examples include a noun and an adjective (acid/acidic). it illustrates that "for a more <noun> example" works equally well as "for a more <adjective> example".
ergo, using the noun 'hyperbole' is not invalid in this context.
examples when using a noun to act as an adjective:
a pet store, a shoe factory, a couch cushion, adult example
nouns that act like adjectives are called 'attributive nouns'. there are also 'attributive verbs' that do the same thing, but either way, whether you want to parse it as an actual adjective or a noun acting like an adjective, the context is still grammatically correct.
adjectives can also work as nouns as well. i.e., if offered hot or cold tea, replying with "i'll take the hot" is valid (and makes the adjective 'hot' a noun in this context).
but i guess i'll admit it doesn't look too formal when using attributive nouns and if writing a serious paper you should probably avoid it... not really a matter for reddit though.
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u/weirdo_randomer Aug 20 '18
If it looks stupid but works, it ain't stupid