Everyone likes to talk about how a good glue joint is stronger than the
wood itself. I think this may be true in a very technical sense, but
absolutely false in practice.

Take for example, a panel glue up with two 5" wide oak boards glued
edge to edge (no biscuits, etc). There is no way in the world that this
panel is stronger than a single 10" wide piece of oak.

If you whack the glued-up panel with a sledgehammer hard enough, it
will split along the glue line. It may take a little wood from either
side of the joint, but is will definitely break right along the joint.

Conversely, the solid 10" wide piece of oak will certainly withstand a
harder blow without breaking than would the glue-up panel.

What am I missing in this 'glue is stronger than the wood itself'
argument?