What is the definition of dig? If someone begins to cut into a surface is it considered that they have dug something? if not, why not?

Question

According to the following extract: >Mrs. Baker wanted to go ice fishing. She read several books on the subject, and finally, after purchasing all the necessary equipment, she went onto the ice. After positioning her comfortable stool, she started to make a circular cut in the ice. Frighteningly, from up above, a voice boomed: 'There are no fish under the ice.' Startled, Mrs. Baker moved farther down the ice, poured herself a large coffee, and began to cut yet another hole. Again, from the heavens, the voice boomed: 'There are no fish under the ice.' Mrs. Baker was now very concerned, so she moved way down to the opposite end of the ice, set up her stool, and began again to cut her ice-hole. The voice rang out once more: 'There are no fish under the ice.' Mrs. Baker stopped, looked upwards and said, 'Is that you Lord?' The voice replied, 'No, this is the ice-rink manager.' I found the above text in one of the past papers of the Kangaroo English competition. However, one of the questions baffled me. It asked how many holes Mrs. Baker had dug. According to my knowledge of the English language, I put down that she had not dug any holes, as she had never completed the act of making the circular cut in the ice. However, they have put down that the correct answer is three. I assume that they counted every time Mrs. Baker started cutting a hole as her actually having dug it. However, I personally disagree with this, and my reasoning is stated above. Can you please tell me whether my reasoning is correct? And if it isn't, can you please explain to me why it isn't? I also believe that the correct answer will also heavily depend upon the precise definition of the word *dig*. So can you also please inform me of the precise meaning of the word *dig* in the above context?

Answer 1

This reading intrigues me because an ice rink does not contain flowing water underneath it (unless I don't know how ice rinks are created). Therefore, she could never have finished cutting any ice 'hole'. Also,where did Mrs, Baker find the coffee? She wasn't moving from one place to the other on the ice using a shed (or the reading would have included that option). I agree with your interpretation of the passage. Evidently, she never finished cutting any holes (probably because sold ice doesn't include liquid under it when used in a skating rink). Dig/dug can be used to describe the act of extricating earth, so I assume that ice can be dug. Also, as a noun a 'dig' is a cutting remark (1819 usage) or an excavation. I consulted a dictionary for the word, kangaroo, finding that it is an Australian aboriginal language of northern Queensland (1770s). A Kangaroo English competition might be skewed if aboriginal language terminology doesn't include typical logic concerns. Answering this question with 'three' is not logical, since an ice rink cannot accommodate the liquid water needed to complete the digging of the holes. This question, therefore, should be rescinded from the competition, based upon common sense thinking.

Answer 2

First of all, that's a funny joke. However, I don't believe that she "dug" any holes, as cutting a hole in ice would not meet the definition of the verb "to dig." Here's the definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dig No mention of cutting into ice. The only definitions that relate to Mrs. Baker's actions at all mention "earth," not "ice." So the correct question would be: "How many holes did Mrs. Baker attempt to cut into the ice?" Answer: Three.