Statistical Mechanics

The belief that thermodynamic systems can be expressed using statistics. It is mostly used to more accurately express a system where there are many microstates involving microscopically observable quantities (e.g. kinetic energy of particle 1, 2, 3, ... , n-1, n or Potential energy of particle 1, 2, 3, ..., n-1, n as opposed to quantities like pressure or volume).

What the author of this article should be revising now, Statistical Mechanics (or stat mech as it's more conveniently known) can be described by many physics students as a "cluster-fuck of endless equations and probability distribution functions designed to intentionally screw up their mind altogether".

It is widely known that stat mech is utterly incomprehensible until the actual exam day, when all the nonsensical examples and equations (most notably finding the entropy of an elastic band expressed as a function of the number of links in said band, and the expression of gas molecules as masses on springs) seem to reach perfect clarity and they tend to walk out with at least a 2-1.

"You going to statistical mechanics?"
"No fucking way, I'm making noodles for lunch!"

Statistical Mechanics by Nathan J. Croe January 20, 2010

Statistical Extraploitation 

To exploit a sports statistic by extrapolating it over an entire season, despite a tiny sample size. This is wildly popular on the second day of the Major League Baseball season.

D-Bag: Hey did you see the opener yesterday? Soriano hit two home runs. Christ, if he keeps that up he'll hit 324 home runs this year!!

Guy#2: And if you keep your Statistical Extraploitations up, you'll be more of a D-bag.

Statistical Extraploitation by TR Slyder April 6, 2009

statistical anomaly

Fate, or extremely low chances, or likelihood, of an event happening on its own due to statistical data proving otherwise.

I didn't think I was ever going to see you again! Then you turn up on my doorstep like-
A statistical anomaly?
Well I was gunna say fate, but yes.

statistical anomaly by Modizzlemynizzle February 8, 2017

statistical unicorn 

The term for an event, happening or situation that's commonly accepted to be true, but actually exists infrequently or not at all.

Politicians spend a lot of time arguing about how tax hikes will ruin small business owners, but the increases only apply to those making over $250,000/year and the median amount an owner of a small employing business draws from his/her firm in a year is about $72,500. In fact, 6 percent earn less than $12,500 and only 5 percent earn $250,000 or more.

Therefore, small business owners affected by this issue are statistical unicorns.

statistical unicorn by pilla naty February 4, 2010

statistical blip 

an anomaly in the data.

# "Most commentators felt it was a statistical blip rather than the start of a trend, but it seemed to spook the Conservatives."
—Wales Online

statistical blip by johnny girony January 10, 2011

Statistical anomaly

An extremely rare occurrence.

Jody is a statistical anomaly because despite how he is "that guy", who is gorgeous, smart, funny and successful, he has not found the right girl. It is a statistical anomaly that he would be single given how perfect he is.

Statistical anomaly by SAMSAM8999 March 14, 2018

Statistical Inception 

A formula inside of a formula inside of a formula inside of another formula

Bob: Wow I have to use a stupid formula to find the test statistic for a sample size of n, but in order to do that I have to find SE(y) which is s divided by the square root n and in order to find that I have to find s. But, in order to find s i have to calculate the sample mean...

Jim: Damn that sounds like Statistical Inception!

Statistical Inception by orange4never October 30, 2011