[kata]

I think it might just be a strangely formed sentence where the part "if it contains the item" is not the subject of the report, but a condition:

If it contains the item -> reports that it contains the item (correctly)

If it doesn't contain the item -> may report that it contains the item (incorrectly)

[kakarot]

Nothing wrong with being pedantic when dealing with definitions.

[egocentric]

Since we're on the topic of being pedantic, "well, you know, that's just, like... your opinion, man". I'd argue that there's nothing excessive about arguing if A may, in fact, be the opposite of A :)

[kakarot]

Certainly not, I'm all for some arguing on the internet.

[magicalhippo]

The logic you wrote is exactly the _opposite_ of what a Bloom filter does.