GPT 4o:
The phrase "comparing apples and oranges" is a common idiom that highlights the difficulty or impossibility of comparing two things that are fundamentally different in nature. Here are some reasons why this comparison is often seen as impractical:
1. **Different Categories**: Apples and oranges belong to different categories of fruit, with distinct characteristics, flavors, textures, and nutritional values. Comparing them directly is akin to comparing unrelated items.
2. **Subjective Criteria**: The criteria for comparison may vary widely. For instance, if you compare them based on taste, texture, or nutritional content, the results will be highly subjective and context-dependent.
3. **Purpose and Usage**: Apples and oranges are used differently in culinary contexts. Apples might be preferred for pies, while oranges are favored for juice. Their uses and culinary applications differ significantly.
4. **Variety and Species**: Both apples and oranges come in many varieties, each with unique properties. Comparing a Granny Smith apple to a Navel orange is different from comparing a Fuji apple to a Blood orange, further complicating the comparison.
In essence, the idiom suggests that some comparisons are inherently flawed because the items being compared are too different to yield meaningful conclusions.