The definition of ‘siphon’

Did anyone else see this article on the Guardian science blog this week? Numerous online dictionaries seem to have an error in the definition of how a siphon works, in particular that a siphon (according to the OED) is:

A pipe or tube of glass, metal or other material, bent so that one leg is longer than the other, and used for drawing off liquids by means of atmospheric pressure, which forces the liquid up the shorter leg and over the bend in the pipe

The article which highlighted the misconception in the OED and other dictionaries is here along with a nice video showing the siphon in action .

If anyone wants to do a short demonstration in WCD – let me know!

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