2. Encryption is the conversion of data into a form called ciphertext, which cannot be easily understood by unauthorized people.

Answer: 2.

Explanation:
The problem with “so-called” is that it has two meanings and one them subverts the other.

“So-called” can indicate that you’re introducing a word that may not be familiar to the reader. In this case, you’re saying data is converted into something called ciphertext.

However, the other meaning of “so-called” is “falsely or incorrectly called,” often used in sarcastic phrases like “so-called experts,” and some readers may understand “so-called ciphertext” to mean “something incorrectly called ciphertext.”  They might be confused then, wondering things like “who calls it ciphertext?” and “why is it incorrect to call it ciphertext?”

So unless you want to confuse the reader, you’re probably better off reserving “so-called” for unambiguous sarcasm and using phrases like “a form called ciphertext” where you just want to introduce a word that the reader may not know.

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a. The CFO likes spreadsheets more than most people like spreadsheets.
b. The CFO likes spreadsheets more than she likes most people.

Answer: Can’t tell? That’s the correct answer: Can’t tell.

Explanation:

The sentence is an example of ambiguity — a lack of clarity created by multiple potential meanings. In this sentence, we know that something is implied, but we don’t know what. The CFO might be especially fond of spreadsheets or, on the other hand, she might be extremely fond of spreadsheets — and/or not very fond of people at all.

This post was inspired by Ben Zimmer’s (@bgzimmer) tweet:
Now on @LanguageLog: Linguists love ambiguity more than most people. http://bit.ly/Kr8DxB

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