Harry asked about a recently pervasive use of the word virtual. When I put his question to the readers, I made the mistake of using as an example the concept of a virtual fence between the United States and Mexico. The answers I got were more political than practical.

So I'll have a go at it. Generally speaking, virtual means existing in essence or in the mind but not in reality.

Computers borrowed the word to indicate something that exists in cyberspace or because of cyberspace, such as a virtual community of people sharing a common interest online.

Those two meanings seem to have combined in uses such as the aforementioned fence, or other issues that are more concept than reality.

If you still want to weigh in, join the virtual Ask! community by clicking on this question at blogs.RockyMountainNews.com/denver/ask.

In the meantime, here's a new mystery to ponder:

Do identical twins have the same fingerprints? - Greg

Identicals share a lot, but do they share fingerprints? What about DNA?

Post your answer on the Ask! blog, or pose a question of your own by clicking on the link to the left on the Ask! home page.