Unlikely? I thought it was not possible!
Unlikely? I thought it was not possible!
"Unlikely" is a term that scientists use so as to avoid using the term "impossible." Saying something is "unlikely" rather than "impossible" is a way for scientists to avoid being wrong on something.
Scientist: It is impossible for pigs to fly.
Ordinary person: Then what's that animal? It sure looks like a flying pig to me.
Scientist: Dang! I was wrong! [turns in scientific credentials]
vs.
Scientist: It is unlikely for pigs to fly.
Ordinary person: Well, isn't that a winged pig flying right over there?
Scientist: Well, I said it was unlikely, not impossible!