the.com/neutral
Switzerland's favorite stance and the gear that goes absolutely nowhere with maximum confidence.
means Not taking sides, having no strong qualities one way or the other, or being in a state of inactivity or balance — whether in opinion, color, chemistry, or a car's gearbox.
from From Latin 'neutralis,' meaning 'of neither gender,' built from 'neuter' — literally 'ne-uter,' 'not either of two' (ne- 'not' plus uter 'either'). The grammatical sense came first: a noun that was neither masculine nor feminine. English borrowed it in the 1400s, and the word slowly stretched outward from grammar to nations, chemicals, and gear levers — anything stubbornly committed to being neither this nor that.
- electrically
- The wire that completes the circuit, quietly carrying current back.
- in cars
- Engine runs, wheels don't; pure idling indecision.
- color theory
- Beige, gray, taupe: colors afraid of commitment.
- chemistry
- pH of 7, where acid and base shake hands.
- diplomacy
- Switzerland stayed neutral, banked everyone's money anyway.
swiss neutrality — switzerland not member of eu or nato, maintained since 1815 congress of vienna
costa rica neutrality — abolished military in 1949, constitutionally neutral country in central america
ireland neutrality — military non-alignment since 1921, not nato member despite eu membership