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Reader question: Please explain "flipped the coin", as in: "The director approached us about doing some camera work and we flipped a coin to see who would do it, and luckily I won!" My comments: This means "I" got the job because of sheer luck, not because "I" was better than others. Here, I don't mean to put "you" down, but am merely saying what I think is a healthy way of looking at things. It is the case at any rate, where coin flipping or coin tossing is concerned. If you watch a soccer match, for example, before the game begins, the referee (who officiates the game, making sure players don't violate rules and that the game runs smoothly and without incident) summons the captain from each team and ask them whether they prefer to have the ball (which gives them the first kick) or the side (which gives the right to choose the sunny or less windy side of the field). And if the two captains all insist on the ball and the referee can't talk them out of it, coin flipping ensues. The ref pulls a coin from his pocket and asks the captains to name a side he prefers. Heads or tails, that is. Then the ref flips the coin (let it fly and spinning from side to side) and all three men watch it fall to the ground. Heads, one team wins the ball. Tails, the other team has the ball. All is settled. Alright? Hence, figuratively speaking any decision made by flipping the coin is a decision left to luck. | 
