In coloquial terms, the average is synonymous with the mean, and the median is treated as distinct. Moreover, if he truly meant that half of the population was below the median, why would he use an ambiguous term like the "average?" At worst, it's incorrect, and at best, it's an ambiguity that is not necessarily correct.
> at best, it's an ambiguity that is not necessarily correct.
It is definitively correct.
You knew what he meant, you just wanted another jab to back up your argument. If you're going to be pedantic at least be correct.
Let's divide the world into 3 types of people.
Type A.
Those without enough mathematical knowledge to pick up on any
possible ambiguity. Who probably don't really know what median means in the first place (the majority of people).
Type B.
Those with enough mathematical knowledge to understand what he means by "average." (probably the majority of people on hacker news)
Type C.
Those who got just far enough in math to realize that there is a difference between arithmetic mean, and median, but not far enough to realize that average is a general term.
Which of those types are going to confused by the term average instead of median?
