referring to a mathematical
analogy of a worm who was two-dimensional and who lived on a two-dimensional
plane. This
plane would have length and
breadth but no depth, no height. The two-dimensional worm would be very alarmed if he suddenly found a three-dimensional
pole in his
environment. This
analogy is used by mathematicians to cow (intimidate) people who dare question the
existence of a
fourth dimension.
-Lecture of 24 September 1951.