A Hole In Their Argument

(I have very crooked teeth, which don’t mesh properly. As a result, a cusp on one of my upper molars has worn a hole in a filling in the corresponding bottom molar. I phone to make an appointment.)

Receptionist: “Is this for a regular check-up, or is it an emergency?”

Me: “It’s not what you’d call an emergency, but I have a hole in my filling.”

Receptionist: “You mean you’ve lost a filling?”

Me: “No, the filling is still there, but it has a hole in it.”

Receptionist: “Fillings don’t get ‘holes’ in them, but I can put you down for an appointment at [time] on [date].”

(Later:)

Dentist: “And what seems to be the problem?”

Me: “I have a hole in one of my fillings.”

Dentist: “Fillings don’t get holes in them. You must have lost your filling. I’ll just take a look… Oh! You have a hole in your filling.”