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Square the Circle

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To attempt an impossibility. The allusion is to the mathematical question whether a circle can be made which contains precisely the same area as a square. The difficulty is to find the precise ratio between the diameter and the circumference. Popularly it is 3.14159 … . the next decimals would be 26537, but the numbers would go on ad infinitum.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Spunging House
Spur Money
Spurs
Spy
Spy (of Vanity Fair)
Spy Wednesday
Squab Pie
Squad
Squalls
Square
Square the Circle
Squash
Squib (A)
Squint-eyed [Guercino]
Squintifego
Squire of Dames
Stabat Mater
Stable-door
Stable Keys
Staff
Staff of Life (The)