I'm not that worried about it. In science, a theory has a very narrow definition, being a well-tested and generally accepted explanation of how something works. An educated guess in science is an hypothesis (should hypothesis be preceded by "an" or "a"?; to become a theory it must undergo, and be supported by, rigorous testing by many scientists.

But, when someone says "I have a theory about that" I don't get in a tither. Use the terminology myself rather loosely sometimes. Now back to my hay bailer. I will try not to be an ignoranus.

Last edited by 300_savage; 01/15/12.