monty pythonesque application of the principles of logic and etymology
The standard logic used by such people as the knights of the round table. It's sound logic that can only be understood by men of science.
E.g. You want to test if a woman is a witch. You burn witches, but you also burn wood. This means witches burn because they are made of wood. Wood also floats in water, just like a duck. So therefore, if she weighs the same as a duck, then she is made out of wood, and is therefore a witch. Now you must weigh her on a set of large scales with a duck, and if they weigh the same, she is guilty of being a witch.
E.g. You want to test if a woman is a witch. You burn witches, but you also burn wood. This means witches burn because they are made of wood. Wood also floats in water, just like a duck. So therefore, if she weighs the same as a duck, then she is made out of wood, and is therefore a witch. Now you must weigh her on a set of large scales with a duck, and if they weigh the same, she is guilty of being a witch.
Well, Bernard, that is some Monty Pythonesque application of the principles of logic and etymology right there!