I always thought that "theory" is used too loosely is society (e.g., I
have a theory about...). Strictly speaking, a hypothesis is an "educated
guess." It is also testable. People should be using this word, but we
rarely hear it. After the idea is tested repeatedly, it can becomes a
theory (e.g, evolution, big bang). Further testing can result in a law of
nature (e.g., gravity).
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