The expression signifies comparing two fundamentally different items that cannot be meaningfully compared. It highlights the fallacy of drawing conclusions or making evaluations between subjects that lack a common basis. For example, judging the success of a marketing campaign solely by the number of social media likes, without considering sales conversion rates, would be an instance of such an inappropriate comparison.
This type of flawed comparison is crucial to identify and avoid in various domains, including decision-making, problem-solving, and analysis. Recognizing the inherent differences between entities being considered ensures more accurate assessments and informed judgments. The phrase’s origins are rooted in the obvious distinctions between common fruits, solidifying its use as a straightforward illustration of illogical comparisons.
