But it was funny! April 18, 2008 8:04 PM Subscribe
What is the verdict on clever one-liners in AskMefi?
This afternoon, I posted that something was eponysterical and when I came back to the thread, it was deleted. I've made the same comment before and not only was it not deleted, it was favorited.
So, is there a zero-tolerance policy on wit in Ask now? Because the question had already been answered and it wasn't exactly causing a pile on, so I don't see the harm.
This afternoon, I posted that something was eponysterical and when I came back to the thread, it was deleted. I've made the same comment before and not only was it not deleted, it was favorited.
So, is there a zero-tolerance policy on wit in Ask now? Because the question had already been answered and it wasn't exactly causing a pile on, so I don't see the harm.
I've made the same comment before and not only was it not deleted, it was favorited.
They just didn't catch it the first few times.
posted by Krrrlson at 8:08 PM on April 18, 2008
They just didn't catch it the first few times.
posted by Krrrlson at 8:08 PM on April 18, 2008
One-liner throwaway comments in askme have been deleted pretty consistently for a good long time now, actually. Wit still shows up there, in context, but standalone jokes just for the sake of the joke aren't answering the question are something we're going to remove.
Gently as I can put this: you may find that people disagree that declaring something eponysterical qualifies, at this late date, as witty.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:09 PM on April 18, 2008 [14 favorites]
Gently as I can put this: you may find that people disagree that declaring something eponysterical qualifies, at this late date, as witty.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:09 PM on April 18, 2008 [14 favorites]
After posting this, I came across this comment which I guess explains things. But seriously. Where is the line. If something is funny to some (aka, more than one) users and isn't causing harm, why must it go?
posted by youcancallmeal at 8:09 PM on April 18, 2008
posted by youcancallmeal at 8:09 PM on April 18, 2008
Joke non-answers get deleted, yeah. Not only do wisecracks not help people solve problems they fill threads up with noise. It's not a question of harm, it's about lack of utility and this was the place we decided to draw the line in AskMe. It's different from the rest of the site, but also clearly delineated in many ways. If people flag joke answers and we see them they usually get removed. That's pretty much always been true for AskMe.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 8:09 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 8:09 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
Okay. I just hadn't encountered it in reference to that particular joke before. I'll unbunch my eponypanties for now. :)
posted by youcancallmeal at 8:10 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by youcancallmeal at 8:10 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
It says this above the post comment button:
"note: Ask MetaFilter is as useful as you make it. Please limit comments to answers or help in finding an answer. Wisecracks don't help people find answers. Thanks."
So yeah, nothing has changed as we still regularly clean threads of throwaway jokes. Also keep in mind wisecracks get favorites fairly often but the flags always outweigh them.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:11 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
"note: Ask MetaFilter is as useful as you make it. Please limit comments to answers or help in finding an answer. Wisecracks don't help people find answers. Thanks."
So yeah, nothing has changed as we still regularly clean threads of throwaway jokes. Also keep in mind wisecracks get favorites fairly often but the flags always outweigh them.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:11 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
Incidentally, my first jazz album I release will be called "Wisecracks get favorites fairly often, but the flags always outweigh them".
posted by ColdChef at 8:15 PM on April 18, 2008 [6 favorites]
posted by ColdChef at 8:15 PM on April 18, 2008 [6 favorites]
AskMetafilter isn't for "clever one-liners". Answer the question or shut up.
posted by puke & cry at 8:21 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by puke & cry at 8:21 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
AskMe has Aspberger's. It's very sad, but it means well and generally does a good job, so it's best to try to overlook its lack of affect and inability to grasp the niceties of normal human socialization. Also, nine times out of ten, your jokey answers aren't funny anyway. Neither are mine. It's okay. No, really. It's okay.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 8:27 PM on April 18, 2008 [3 favorites]
posted by kittens for breakfast at 8:27 PM on April 18, 2008 [3 favorites]
kittens for breakfast:
do the kittens stay over for breakfast or what ?
if what, do you skin them first?
naaah, i don't think i am funny either. :)
posted by kryptos at 8:44 PM on April 18, 2008
do the kittens stay over for breakfast or what ?
if what, do you skin them first?
naaah, i don't think i am funny either. :)
posted by kryptos at 8:44 PM on April 18, 2008
So, do you like read through the flavors of Mefi just looking for eponysterical comments? Is that like a hobby or a game or something?
Actually, now that I think about it, a Mefi scavenger hunt could be a lot of fun.
posted by oddman at 8:54 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
Actually, now that I think about it, a Mefi scavenger hunt could be a lot of fun.
posted by oddman at 8:54 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
I try to only respond wittily if I *also* have something useful to say. So, I might post something like:
Yeah, I know it's sort of manipulative I guess, and I'm sure it drives the mods crazy. But at least it lets me a) tell my joke and b) be more useful than if I wasn't providing any answer at all.
posted by Deathalicious at 9:01 PM on April 18, 2008 [2 favorites]
Witty observation about irony of question vs some other conflicting piece of information.Mods tend to feel a lot more comfortable deleting a comment than editing, I think. If you put *something* useful there they're going to feel pressured to keep it in.
Paragraph giving poor-to-decent (sometimes better) answer to question.
Yeah, I know it's sort of manipulative I guess, and I'm sure it drives the mods crazy. But at least it lets me a) tell my joke and b) be more useful than if I wasn't providing any answer at all.
posted by Deathalicious at 9:01 PM on April 18, 2008 [2 favorites]
I can understand how some questions seem so far fetched for some that they want a crack at it. I've been guilty of that in the past and was deleted. I've wised up.
Just 'cause you can't relate, for the person asking the question, it's real. Period. Trust it.
I bloody well left a tome [including personal anecdotes and yucks] of an answer to that same question, because without knowledge, there's instant death or poisoning.
email me your jokes instead, youcancallmeal, I can take it.
Except there's nothing funny or unique about the word eponys.... really, it's waaaay fucking overused and so yesterday from the get go for me. NEXT./
Maybe we need a squiffy answers page to AskMefi section, for the yucks only, not to be viewed by the questioner.
posted by alicesshoe at 9:35 PM on April 18, 2008
Just 'cause you can't relate, for the person asking the question, it's real. Period. Trust it.
I bloody well left a tome [including personal anecdotes and yucks] of an answer to that same question, because without knowledge, there's instant death or poisoning.
email me your jokes instead, youcancallmeal, I can take it.
Except there's nothing funny or unique about the word eponys.... really, it's waaaay fucking overused and so yesterday from the get go for me. NEXT./
Maybe we need a squiffy answers page to AskMefi section, for the yucks only, not to be viewed by the questioner.
posted by alicesshoe at 9:35 PM on April 18, 2008
This is a Frequently Asked Question
Here's the answer: Ask MetaFilter comments should address the question being asked. Common reasons for comment removal are gratuitous wisecracks, derailing/ranting/axegrinding, picking a fight with or heavy chastising of the question asker, single word posts (yes, no, maybe &c.) and other non-answers that should probably be brought to MetaTalk.
All wisecracks in AskMe are gratuitous.
posted by carsonb at 9:37 PM on April 18, 2008
Here's the answer: Ask MetaFilter comments should address the question being asked. Common reasons for comment removal are gratuitous wisecracks, derailing/ranting/axegrinding, picking a fight with or heavy chastising of the question asker, single word posts (yes, no, maybe &c.) and other non-answers that should probably be brought to MetaTalk.
All wisecracks in AskMe are gratuitous.
posted by carsonb at 9:37 PM on April 18, 2008
All wisecracks in AskMe are gratuitous
Except when they're actual answers to the question.
posted by dersins at 9:40 PM on April 18, 2008 [2 favorites]
Except when they're actual answers to the question.
posted by dersins at 9:40 PM on April 18, 2008 [2 favorites]
Also, if you are a participant on this website please do yourself and everyone a solid and read the FAQ and the guidelines.
posted by carsonb at 9:40 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by carsonb at 9:40 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
cortex, how many of my brilliant throwaway AskMe oneliners have been deleted over the years?
posted by ikkyu2 at 9:41 PM on April 18, 2008
posted by ikkyu2 at 9:41 PM on April 18, 2008
MeFi Scavenger Hunt
Bring me:
• An eponysterical comment by kittens for breakfast
• A comment quoting Morris Day and the Time
• An AskMe question looking for help with something that's illegal in the UK, but not in the US
• A MetaTalk callout about a problem that didn't actually exist
• A comment thread in which three different people refer separately to Digg, Fark, and Slashdot
• A member who has links to at least fifteen of the official social apps on their user page, all of which are legitimate accounts that have been active for at least two weeks
• A comment that explicitly asks to be favorited, but is not
• A MeFi front page post that contains more links than words
• An AskMe question that gets at least five answers, but which still has more text in the question than in all the answers combined
• A member who has made no more than ten comments, stretched out over at least three years
posted by lore at 9:41 PM on April 18, 2008 [20 favorites]
Bring me:
• An eponysterical comment by kittens for breakfast
• A comment quoting Morris Day and the Time
• An AskMe question looking for help with something that's illegal in the UK, but not in the US
• A MetaTalk callout about a problem that didn't actually exist
• A comment thread in which three different people refer separately to Digg, Fark, and Slashdot
• A member who has links to at least fifteen of the official social apps on their user page, all of which are legitimate accounts that have been active for at least two weeks
• A comment that explicitly asks to be favorited, but is not
• A MeFi front page post that contains more links than words
• An AskMe question that gets at least five answers, but which still has more text in the question than in all the answers combined
• A member who has made no more than ten comments, stretched out over at least three years
posted by lore at 9:41 PM on April 18, 2008 [20 favorites]
So, is there a zero-tolerance policy on wit in Ask now?
When you're done reading the FAQ and the Guidelines, grab yourself a dictionary and look up the word wit. Does "omgloleponysterical11!!!1!" fit the definition?
posted by Sys Rq at 10:08 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
When you're done reading the FAQ and the Guidelines, grab yourself a dictionary and look up the word wit. Does "omgloleponysterical11!!!1!" fit the definition?
posted by Sys Rq at 10:08 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
(There's not a zero-tolerance policy for jerky zingers on MeTa, is there?)
posted by Sys Rq at 10:11 PM on April 18, 2008
posted by Sys Rq at 10:11 PM on April 18, 2008
Dude, it's right there:
wit wɪt
–noun
1. the keen perception and cleverly apt expression of those connections between ideas that awaken amusement and pleasure.
2. speech or writing showing such perception and expression.
3. a person having or noted for such perception and expression.
4. understanding, intelligence, or sagacity; astuteness.
5. Usually, wits.
a. powers of intelligent observation, keen perception, ingenious contrivance, or the like; mental acuity, composure, and resourcefulness: using one's wits to get ahead.
b. mental faculties; senses: to lose one's wits.
c. omgloleponysterical11!!!1!
—Idioms
6. at one's wit's end. end.
7. keep or have one's wits about one, to remain alert and observant; be prepared for or equal to anything: to keep your wits about you in a crisis.
8. live by one's wits, to provide for oneself by employing ingenuity or cunning; live precariously: We traveled around the world, living by our wits.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME, OE: mind, thought; c. G Witz, ON vit; akin to wit]
posted by Ryvar at 10:12 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
wit wɪt
–noun
1. the keen perception and cleverly apt expression of those connections between ideas that awaken amusement and pleasure.
2. speech or writing showing such perception and expression.
3. a person having or noted for such perception and expression.
4. understanding, intelligence, or sagacity; astuteness.
5. Usually, wits.
a. powers of intelligent observation, keen perception, ingenious contrivance, or the like; mental acuity, composure, and resourcefulness: using one's wits to get ahead.
b. mental faculties; senses: to lose one's wits.
c. omgloleponysterical11!!!1!
—Idioms
6. at one's wit's end. end.
7. keep or have one's wits about one, to remain alert and observant; be prepared for or equal to anything: to keep your wits about you in a crisis.
8. live by one's wits, to provide for oneself by employing ingenuity or cunning; live precariously: We traveled around the world, living by our wits.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME, OE: mind, thought; c. G Witz, ON vit; akin to wit]
posted by Ryvar at 10:12 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
Please link to the earlier AskMe witticisms so that jessamyn can delete them.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 10:27 PM on April 18, 2008
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 10:27 PM on April 18, 2008
(By the way, I am desperately seeking worthy FPP material on the subject of peach-peeling, so I can be called eponysterical.)
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 10:30 PM on April 18, 2008
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 10:30 PM on April 18, 2008
Wit still shows up there, in context,
Exactly. Something humorous should not insult or overly distract from the problem and solution. Outright silliness seems out of place, but a well worded answer which actually answers the question and leaves a smile seems appropriate. Think about how you would want someone to answer if you had asked the question.
posted by caddis at 10:34 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
Exactly. Something humorous should not insult or overly distract from the problem and solution. Outright silliness seems out of place, but a well worded answer which actually answers the question and leaves a smile seems appropriate. Think about how you would want someone to answer if you had asked the question.
posted by caddis at 10:34 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
Reading (almost) all of this thread makes the verdict inescapable: eponysterical is not clever.
posted by Cranberry at 11:00 PM on April 18, 2008
posted by Cranberry at 11:00 PM on April 18, 2008
ikkyu2 said: how many of my brilliant throwaway AskMe oneliners have been deleted over the years?
Gasp! I can't imagine ikkyu2 giving a throwaway answer on an AskMe...
AskMe: "I have a splitting headache and my eyeball is falling out of its socket, and I have a nosebleed, and my pancreas hurts. Oh, and my left toe is black. What should I do?"
ikkyu2: "lulz, you're doomed!"
*shudder*
posted by amyms at 11:05 PM on April 18, 2008
Gasp! I can't imagine ikkyu2 giving a throwaway answer on an AskMe...
AskMe: "I have a splitting headache and my eyeball is falling out of its socket, and I have a nosebleed, and my pancreas hurts. Oh, and my left toe is black. What should I do?"
ikkyu2: "lulz, you're doomed!"
*shudder*
posted by amyms at 11:05 PM on April 18, 2008
I'm going to change my user name to "Guy who posts comments on Metafilter". Oh, the eponylarity that will follow.
posted by Gary at 12:52 AM on April 19, 2008 [3 favorites]
posted by Gary at 12:52 AM on April 19, 2008 [3 favorites]
A comment that explicitly asks to be favorited, but is not
*taps foot, looks around expectantly*
posted by Locative at 12:57 AM on April 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
*taps foot, looks around expectantly*
posted by Locative at 12:57 AM on April 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
What is the verdict on clever one-liners in AskMefi?
You're not as clever as you think you are, and you are wasting everyone's time.
posted by dirigibleman at 1:15 AM on April 19, 2008 [3 favorites]
You're not as clever as you think you are, and you are wasting everyone's time.
posted by dirigibleman at 1:15 AM on April 19, 2008 [3 favorites]
If you really think people's requests for help/advice/other perspectives ought to be an opportunity for you to showcase your "wit" (and come on, not to beat a dead horse here but is it really "wit" to parrot back the same lame joke that's been used HOW many times here already? Really? Do you honestly believe the rest of us incapable of noting a username irony if you don't shine a light on the situation with your blazing beacons of Hilarity and Insightfulness?), then perhaps you'd be happier if you also had an account at Yahoo Answers. You can give any actual ANSWERS you have here, gift all your omglulz comments to YA, nobody's time will be wasted and all will be right with the world once more ...
posted by zeph at 2:46 AM on April 19, 2008
posted by zeph at 2:46 AM on April 19, 2008
I should be going to bed in— oh.. uh.. two hours ago.
• An eponysterical comment by kittens for breakfast
• A comment quoting Morris Day and the Time
• An AskMe question looking for help with something that's illegal in the UK, but not in the US
• A MetaTalk callout about a problem that didn't actually exist
• A comment thread in which three different people refer separately to Digg, Fark, and Slashdot
• A member who has links to at least fifteen of the official social apps on their user page, all of which are legitimate accounts that have been active for at least two weeks
• A comment that explicitly asks to be favorited, but is not
• A MeFi front page post that contains more links than words
• An AskMe question that gets at least five answers, but which still has more text in the question than in all the answers combined
• A member who has made no more than ten comments, stretched out over at least three years
posted by theiconoclast31 at 3:03 AM on April 19, 2008 [52 favorites]
• An eponysterical comment by kittens for breakfast
• A comment quoting Morris Day and the Time
• An AskMe question looking for help with something that's illegal in the UK, but not in the US
• A MetaTalk callout about a problem that didn't actually exist
• A comment thread in which three different people refer separately to Digg, Fark, and Slashdot
• A member who has links to at least fifteen of the official social apps on their user page, all of which are legitimate accounts that have been active for at least two weeks
• A comment that explicitly asks to be favorited, but is not
• A MeFi front page post that contains more links than words
• An AskMe question that gets at least five answers, but which still has more text in the question than in all the answers combined
• A member who has made no more than ten comments, stretched out over at least three years
posted by theiconoclast31 at 3:03 AM on April 19, 2008 [52 favorites]
I've made the same comment before and not only was it not deleted, it was favorited.
The first time it was original. By definition, this does not apply to subsequent use.
posted by cosmonik at 3:28 AM on April 19, 2008
The first time it was original. By definition, this does not apply to subsequent use.
posted by cosmonik at 3:28 AM on April 19, 2008
Uh, interesting, theiconoclast31. Why?
posted by grouse at 3:57 AM on April 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by grouse at 3:57 AM on April 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
Add me to the list of people who became tired of 'eponysterical' long ago.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 4:20 AM on April 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Kirth Gerson at 4:20 AM on April 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
Yeah, I agree. It's really irritating to have people constantly trotting out this little bit of unfunny unoriginality. I'm really sick of it.
Eponysterical!
posted by grouse at 4:31 AM on April 19, 2008 [4 favorites]
Eponysterical!
posted by grouse at 4:31 AM on April 19, 2008 [4 favorites]
A comment that explicitly asks to be favorited, but is not
Judges rule foul. This comment asks for the post to be favorited, not the comment itself.
posted by splice at 4:50 AM on April 19, 2008
Judges rule foul. This comment asks for the post to be favorited, not the comment itself.
posted by splice at 4:50 AM on April 19, 2008
It took guts to ask that question.
And now everyone has answered it.
It's gonna be 76 degrees today!
We can play outside!
posted by Dizzy at 4:54 AM on April 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
And now everyone has answered it.
It's gonna be 76 degrees today!
We can play outside!
posted by Dizzy at 4:54 AM on April 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
It took guts to ask that question.
And now everyone has answered it.
True. Matt, cortex and jess all answered it nicely and perfectly well, and then a whole lot of people with a frustrated payload of pent-up hostility and aggression jumped in to take their shots - even after the poster already said she now understood the situation. Bleh.
posted by taz at 5:40 AM on April 19, 2008
And now everyone has answered it.
True. Matt, cortex and jess all answered it nicely and perfectly well, and then a whole lot of people with a frustrated payload of pent-up hostility and aggression jumped in to take their shots - even after the poster already said she now understood the situation. Bleh.
posted by taz at 5:40 AM on April 19, 2008
taz, a lot of people are sick of people not bothering to pay attention to the AskMe rules or deciding they don't apply to them. It is not reasonable to expect a joyful ringdance in response to this frankly dumb MeTa post. It's nice that the poster has (reluctantly) accepted the situation, but that doesn't mean we all need to give her cookies and a pat on the head.
And I'm not seeing people taking shots at the poster, I'm seeing people venting about the general phenomena of 1) unfunny attempts at humor and 2) shitting in AskMe. This is fine.
posted by languagehat at 5:57 AM on April 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
And I'm not seeing people taking shots at the poster, I'm seeing people venting about the general phenomena of 1) unfunny attempts at humor and 2) shitting in AskMe. This is fine.
posted by languagehat at 5:57 AM on April 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
Spring is not kind to everyone, unfortunately.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 5:59 AM on April 19, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 5:59 AM on April 19, 2008 [2 favorites]
Ring Dance!
I've slathered myself in dust-mites and bacon fat.
Now what?
Where did everybody go?
posted by Dizzy at 6:13 AM on April 19, 2008
I've slathered myself in dust-mites and bacon fat.
Now what?
Where did everybody go?
posted by Dizzy at 6:13 AM on April 19, 2008
Also, that thing mentioned above, where you make the joke and then make a half-assed attempt at a real answer, or at least something that could be confused with one at a distance?
Do you think it would make any difference if there were some official word against that kind of crap?
posted by box at 6:17 AM on April 19, 2008
Do you think it would make any difference if there were some official word against that kind of crap?
posted by box at 6:17 AM on April 19, 2008
Do you think it would make any difference if there were some official word against that kind of crap?
We're unlikely to do that even though personally it rankles me too. If we think someone is mostly joking and only sort of after-the-fact answering (and some people seem to make a hobby out of that type of answer) it may get removed anyhow. Otherwise, from my vantage point it's not really a scourge on the site.
in response to this frankly dumb MeTa post.
My take is if you don't know the answer, your question isn't really dumb, but maybe that's just library school indoctrination talking. I felt like most of this MeTa was sort of reaffirming what we already knew with very little rancor directed towards youcancallmeal who is an old-timer here (four digit user number in original incarnation) and who I have had lunch with. While I think pile-ons are unsavory, this didn't really seem to be one, just the usual grab-assery and dictionary quoting.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 6:32 AM on April 19, 2008
We're unlikely to do that even though personally it rankles me too. If we think someone is mostly joking and only sort of after-the-fact answering (and some people seem to make a hobby out of that type of answer) it may get removed anyhow. Otherwise, from my vantage point it's not really a scourge on the site.
in response to this frankly dumb MeTa post.
My take is if you don't know the answer, your question isn't really dumb, but maybe that's just library school indoctrination talking. I felt like most of this MeTa was sort of reaffirming what we already knew with very little rancor directed towards youcancallmeal who is an old-timer here (four digit user number in original incarnation) and who I have had lunch with. While I think pile-ons are unsavory, this didn't really seem to be one, just the usual grab-assery and dictionary quoting.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 6:32 AM on April 19, 2008
It's autumn here, and it's wonderful.
Do you like Autumn?
posted by oxford blue at 6:51 AM on April 19, 2008
Do you like Autumn?
posted by oxford blue at 6:51 AM on April 19, 2008
I think zeph's "blabbityblabbity perhaps you'd be happier if you also had an account at Yahoo Answers" just pissed me off. And now languagehat has pissed me off, too. So I'm going to send him a bunch of obscene and threatening emails, and when he complains about it, nobody will believe him.
/knows how to channel her frustrated payload of pent-up hostility and aggression
posted by taz at 6:52 AM on April 19, 2008 [4 favorites]
/knows how to channel her frustrated payload of pent-up hostility and aggression
posted by taz at 6:52 AM on April 19, 2008 [4 favorites]
Ouch. Just because it's true, doesn't mean it ain't low.
posted by cosmonik at 7:06 AM on April 19, 2008
posted by cosmonik at 7:06 AM on April 19, 2008
Certainly didn't mean to offend you, taz. And in reviewing my comment, I realize I should have found a better way of putting it if I was going to post at all - at the very least, I didn't necessarily mean "you" as in "this particular user who's asked this question" so much as the more generic you, but in retrospect it did come off rather attacky as it was. As languagehat suggested, it was definitely more a matter of (perhaps unwarranted) venting over particular issues than wanting to bite any particular user. Youcancallmeal, my apologies if you're still reading reading this.
Apparently early mornings + pet peeves do not a polite zeph make!
posted by zeph at 7:08 AM on April 19, 2008
Apparently early mornings + pet peeves do not a polite zeph make!
posted by zeph at 7:08 AM on April 19, 2008
You know, I think the takeaway here is we should install some goddam vents.
Just three or four of 'em, over in the sidebar.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:10 AM on April 19, 2008
Just three or four of 'em, over in the sidebar.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:10 AM on April 19, 2008
Thanks, zeph. Your response does make me feel better (though I understand that nothing in this conversation is, or should be, about me). I appreciate that follow-up comment a lot, and I'm also sorry about the calling-out by name.
posted by taz at 7:18 AM on April 19, 2008
posted by taz at 7:18 AM on April 19, 2008
cortex: *penetrates Wagner's ringdance*
Jesus, get a room you two.
posted by doctor_negative at 7:21 AM on April 19, 2008
Jesus, get a room you two.
posted by doctor_negative at 7:21 AM on April 19, 2008
Spring is not kind to everyone, unfortunately.
Especially April.
posted by ersatz at 7:29 AM on April 19, 2008
Especially April.
posted by ersatz at 7:29 AM on April 19, 2008
*penetrates Wagner's ringdance*
Yes ma'am, cortex does have over 11,000 MeTa comments, but two-thirds of those are about various member's mothers, or penetrating various rings, or some other combination of members, mothers, and penetration which I'd rather no venture into.
*vents all over your sidebar*
posted by cosmonik at 7:47 AM on April 19, 2008
Yes ma'am, cortex does have over 11,000 MeTa comments, but two-thirds of those are about various member's mothers, or penetrating various rings, or some other combination of members, mothers, and penetration which I'd rather no venture into.
*vents all over your sidebar*
posted by cosmonik at 7:47 AM on April 19, 2008
"no venture into"? I apparently type with a Scottish accent in the wee hours of the morning. I dinnae notice before.
posted by cosmonik at 7:48 AM on April 19, 2008
posted by cosmonik at 7:48 AM on April 19, 2008
No worries, taz, I appreciate the poke - I'd far rather be called on it when I'm being unnecessarily hostile, than to just leave the ugly comment to stand without me stopping to realize just how disproportionate it was.
Now, about that ringdance ...
posted by zeph at 7:59 AM on April 19, 2008
Now, about that ringdance ...
posted by zeph at 7:59 AM on April 19, 2008
Good lord, kids. I asked the question since I wasn't sure. I've been here since 2001 without asking an etiquette question on MeTa, so I think I'm allowed one even if some people deem it OMGTOOSTUPIDTOOLIVE.
The question was answered within 8 comments. (Three moderators! Damn!) Everything after is, dare I say, noise. I realize that's the point of MeTa and I'm way more amused than offended really. Blah blah, frustration, etc. I get it. Thanks to Taz and Jessamyn for the back up. :)
I'll go back to hiding on the website that doesn't exist now.
posted by youcancallmeal at 8:58 AM on April 19, 2008
The question was answered within 8 comments. (Three moderators! Damn!) Everything after is, dare I say, noise. I realize that's the point of MeTa and I'm way more amused than offended really. Blah blah, frustration, etc. I get it. Thanks to Taz and Jessamyn for the back up. :)
I'll go back to hiding on the website that doesn't exist now.
posted by youcancallmeal at 8:58 AM on April 19, 2008
theiconoclast31: Impressive! I wasn't sure that all of those existed.
However, there are a couple that didn't quite fit the criterion in question.
First off, as splice pointed out, the comment you linked asked for the post to be favorited, not the comment.
Secondly, unless I'm missing something, mywinningsmile has made three comments, but they were all in 2006. I'm looking for someone who has, say, one comment made in 2003, one comment made in 2007, and no more than one comment in between.
Nonetheless, even if you don't fill those last two in, my hat is off to you.
posted by lore at 9:04 AM on April 19, 2008
However, there are a couple that didn't quite fit the criterion in question.
First off, as splice pointed out, the comment you linked asked for the post to be favorited, not the comment.
Secondly, unless I'm missing something, mywinningsmile has made three comments, but they were all in 2006. I'm looking for someone who has, say, one comment made in 2003, one comment made in 2007, and no more than one comment in between.
Nonetheless, even if you don't fill those last two in, my hat is off to you.
posted by lore at 9:04 AM on April 19, 2008
I think scarabic coined it or at least helped propogate it, but possible not because it's on urban dictionary (then again, those are mefite handles, so who knows). It basically means something that is funny because of the juxtaposition of the username and the content of the comment/post. I'm sure that now that I have (over)-explained it, it will never, ever be funny again.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:34 AM on April 19, 2008
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:34 AM on April 19, 2008
Whenever my daughter asks me a question, I say, "What do I look like? Google?"
That's right. Screw bonding and conversation! I got her an iMac and broadband so I don't have to answer questions!!!!!
Just kidding. She bought her own iMac.
Just kidding again. But, yeah, eponysterical shows up in Google.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 9:35 AM on April 19, 2008
That's right. Screw bonding and conversation! I got her an iMac and broadband so I don't have to answer questions!!!!!
Just kidding. She bought her own iMac.
Just kidding again. But, yeah, eponysterical shows up in Google.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 9:35 AM on April 19, 2008
Here. I actually like it as something original to the community instead of borrowed from The Simpsons or Something Awful or whatever, and it's playing with words and meanings which appeals to me. But it obviously makes others gnash their teeth, and gnash at other people's teeths... so I just chuckle to myself when I see such a thing, and leave the hornets' alone.
posted by taz at 9:37 AM on April 19, 2008
posted by taz at 9:37 AM on April 19, 2008
aiiiii! NOT a grocer's apostrophe! I was going to say "hornets' nest", then changed it just to "hornets" and made mistakeypoo.
posted by taz at 9:41 AM on April 19, 2008
posted by taz at 9:41 AM on April 19, 2008
Eponystericality is achieved when someone makes a post or comment that, while not intended to be funny, becomes funny because of the poster's username. A made up example would be: "I hate you all! Go to Hell on a handbasket, you freaks!" posted by A lover not a hater.
I'd actually argue that for something to be eponysterical it has to be unintentional, or at least seem unintentional. Also, every time someone else points out the eponystericalness of a comment or post the humor value gets cut in half.
But then I like to overthink things.
If only we had some term to describe the tendency of MeFites to overthink stuff.
posted by Kattullus at 9:44 AM on April 19, 2008
I'd actually argue that for something to be eponysterical it has to be unintentional, or at least seem unintentional. Also, every time someone else points out the eponystericalness of a comment or post the humor value gets cut in half.
But then I like to overthink things.
If only we had some term to describe the tendency of MeFites to overthink stuff.
posted by Kattullus at 9:44 AM on April 19, 2008
If only we had some term to describe the tendency of MeFites to overthink stuff.
I thought that's what "MeFite" meant in the first place - "overthinking MeFite" has got to be a tautology, doesn't it?
posted by zeph at 10:16 AM on April 19, 2008
I thought that's what "MeFite" meant in the first place - "overthinking MeFite" has got to be a tautology, doesn't it?
posted by zeph at 10:16 AM on April 19, 2008
A lover not a hater....posted by Kattullus
Odi et amo. Eponysterical!
posted by ericb at 10:28 AM on April 19, 2008 [2 favorites]
Odi et amo. Eponysterical!
posted by ericb at 10:28 AM on April 19, 2008 [2 favorites]
"My take is if you don't know the answer, your question isn't really dumb, but maybe that's just library school indoctrination talking."
I've always expressed it as "There are no stupid questions, only stupid people who ask questions."
posted by mr_crash_davis at 10:57 AM on April 19, 2008
I've always expressed it as "There are no stupid questions, only stupid people who ask questions."
posted by mr_crash_davis at 10:57 AM on April 19, 2008
My take is if you don't know the answer, your question isn't really dumb
Oh, I agree, but in this particular case I don't see how anyone could possibly not know the answer, since it says right there next to the comment box... Well, I don't have to quote it, we all know what it says. And the topic is regularly discussed in MetaTalk. I would have thought that if you know enough to post a MeTa question, you know that jokes are not OK in AskMe. But if she didn't know, she didn't know, and the question was fine. Now she knows.
And now languagehat has pissed me off, too.
Aw, c'mon, taz, you know I love you. What did I say that pissed you off? I disagreed with your take on it, but I don't think I attacked you in any way. If you felt attacked, I certainly apologize.
A lover not a hater
I read that at first as "a lover not a hatter," and I was all ready to be offended on behalf of hatters everywhere, but then the coffee kicked in.
Can we all ringdance with cortex's mom now?
posted by languagehat at 3:11 PM on April 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
Oh, I agree, but in this particular case I don't see how anyone could possibly not know the answer, since it says right there next to the comment box... Well, I don't have to quote it, we all know what it says. And the topic is regularly discussed in MetaTalk. I would have thought that if you know enough to post a MeTa question, you know that jokes are not OK in AskMe. But if she didn't know, she didn't know, and the question was fine. Now she knows.
And now languagehat has pissed me off, too.
Aw, c'mon, taz, you know I love you. What did I say that pissed you off? I disagreed with your take on it, but I don't think I attacked you in any way. If you felt attacked, I certainly apologize.
A lover not a hater
I read that at first as "a lover not a hatter," and I was all ready to be offended on behalf of hatters everywhere, but then the coffee kicked in.
Can we all ringdance with cortex's mom now?
posted by languagehat at 3:11 PM on April 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
note: Everyone needs a hat.
posted by languagehat at 3:12 PM on April 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by languagehat at 3:12 PM on April 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
Speaking of tired wit: Metafilter: grab-assery and dictionary quoting.
posted by Skorgu at 4:13 PM on April 19, 2008
posted by Skorgu at 4:13 PM on April 19, 2008
Oh and:
we should install some goddam vents.
Yeah, wouldn't want anything catastrophic to happen.
posted by Skorgu at 4:22 PM on April 19, 2008
we should install some goddam vents.
Yeah, wouldn't want anything catastrophic to happen.
posted by Skorgu at 4:22 PM on April 19, 2008
Can we all ringdance with cortex's mom now?
Oh weird, languagehat disabled his account and also changed his name to languagefat and his gender to "i'm a big doody head".
posted by cortex (staff) at 5:42 PM on April 19, 2008 [2 favorites]
Oh weird, languagehat disabled his account and also changed his name to languagefat and his gender to "i'm a big doody head".
posted by cortex (staff) at 5:42 PM on April 19, 2008 [2 favorites]
@cortex: AND WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT??
—languagefat
posted by languagehat at 5:54 PM on April 19, 2008
—languagefat
posted by languagehat at 5:54 PM on April 19, 2008
eponysterectomy
posted by fleacircus at 6:03 PM on April 19, 2008
posted by fleacircus at 6:03 PM on April 19, 2008
Maybe we can take a page from Woot's bag of tricks* and make "eponysterical" auto-correct on posting to "I'm a big fat stupid fat doodyhead!"
*I know it's a mixed metaphor. Lay off.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 6:08 PM on April 19, 2008
*I know it's a mixed metaphor. Lay off.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 6:08 PM on April 19, 2008
Comments should be pointed out as eponysterical if and only if it's not immediately obvious as such.
(if you disagree, it'll be entertaining for all of us if you follow around languagehat for a while and call out any of his eponysterical comments.)
posted by flatluigi at 8:35 PM on April 19, 2008
(if you disagree, it'll be entertaining for all of us if you follow around languagehat for a while and call out any of his eponysterical comments.)
posted by flatluigi at 8:35 PM on April 19, 2008
it'll be entertaining for all of us if you follow around languagehat for a while and call out any of his eponysterical comments
Technically speaking, what would be an eponysterical languagehat comment? It would have to be something along the lines of "I think every lanugage should have its own hat!"... Not many opportunities for a comment like that.
posted by amyms at 10:22 PM on April 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
Technically speaking, what would be an eponysterical languagehat comment? It would have to be something along the lines of "I think every lanugage should have its own hat!"... Not many opportunities for a comment like that.
posted by amyms at 10:22 PM on April 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
Spring can really hang you up the most.
posted by trip and a half at 5:14 AM on April 20, 2008
posted by trip and a half at 5:14 AM on April 20, 2008
I think every language should have its own hat!
posted by languagehat at 6:05 AM on April 20, 2008 [3 favorites]
posted by languagehat at 6:05 AM on April 20, 2008 [3 favorites]
Maybe, you know, "The word 'derby' cannot be translated into German. It is both a syntactic and a federal crime."
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:12 AM on April 20, 2008
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:12 AM on April 20, 2008
youcancallmeal,
It has come to Our attention that you are not committed to the Zero Tolerance Policy against wisecracks.
You have therefore been patriotically volunteered to be sent on a labor beautification course of the countryside north-west of Dresden.
posted by the Cabal at 10:10 AM on April 20, 2008
It has come to Our attention that you are not committed to the Zero Tolerance Policy against wisecracks.
You have therefore been patriotically volunteered to be sent on a labor beautification course of the countryside north-west of Dresden.
posted by the Cabal at 10:10 AM on April 20, 2008
wit?
thats it, im coming back....
me, I like the origins of the word "Testify".
(waves to LH with a promise to write soon)
and, and today is me Mefi b-day....no yesterday...well.
it's about ME anywho.
i'm watching chinese intelligence and company protesting outside crisler arena
today
(pinches quonsars tit)
on course, humour could have a place in askmefi but it has to relevant.
posted by clavdivs at 11:01 AM on April 20, 2008
thats it, im coming back....
me, I like the origins of the word "Testify".
(waves to LH with a promise to write soon)
and, and today is me Mefi b-day....no yesterday...well.
it's about ME anywho.
i'm watching chinese intelligence and company protesting outside crisler arena
today
(pinches quonsars tit)
on course, humour could have a place in askmefi but it has to relevant.
posted by clavdivs at 11:01 AM on April 20, 2008
No, cleverness and humor is not allowed in AskMe, since every quandary posted in there is of life and death importance and to make mock of any of them..well, the world would end and we'll all die.
posted by jonmc at 12:16 PM on April 20, 2008
posted by jonmc at 12:16 PM on April 20, 2008
clav!!
I knew sacrificing that chicken would work!
posted by languagehat at 12:36 PM on April 20, 2008
I knew sacrificing that chicken would work!
posted by languagehat at 12:36 PM on April 20, 2008
Clav comes back in my MeTal thread? I feel so honoured. :)
posted by youcancallmeal at 4:04 PM on April 20, 2008
posted by youcancallmeal at 4:04 PM on April 20, 2008
I withdraw my earlier snark and offer my gratitude to you for bringing this about.
In case it wasn't the chicken.
posted by languagehat at 4:44 PM on April 20, 2008
In case it wasn't the chicken.
posted by languagehat at 4:44 PM on April 20, 2008
Spring is kind to me.
That's good! Having a real spring (=longer than a week) this year, I'm not going to argue. I can even smell the flowers despite my cold. *goes frolicking*
posted by ersatz at 4:51 PM on April 20, 2008
That's good! Having a real spring (=longer than a week) this year, I'm not going to argue. I can even smell the flowers despite my cold. *goes frolicking*
posted by ersatz at 4:51 PM on April 20, 2008
YouCanCallMeal's posts always make me want to order food delivery.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 5:10 PM on April 20, 2008
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 5:10 PM on April 20, 2008
HURF DURF BUTTER EATER
That is the sort of comment that one should not leave in an AskMe thread. But the juxtaposition of that question and Cortex's blog post was too much to resist, so I hied me to this convenient thread like a food poisoning victim making a sprint to the bathroom.
posted by lore at 5:42 PM on April 20, 2008 [1 favorite]
That is the sort of comment that one should not leave in an AskMe thread. But the juxtaposition of that question and Cortex's blog post was too much to resist, so I hied me to this convenient thread like a food poisoning victim making a sprint to the bathroom.
posted by lore at 5:42 PM on April 20, 2008 [1 favorite]
I mean, eponym = namesake, as far as I understand. But eponysterical = hysterical due to how it's named?
So I think we need a new term for ones that aren't actually funny.
posted by smackfu at 6:58 PM on April 20, 2008
So I think we need a new term for ones that aren't actually funny.
posted by smackfu at 6:58 PM on April 20, 2008
farkish?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:31 PM on April 20, 2008
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:31 PM on April 20, 2008
how about epoOH JUST STOP IT FOR GOD'S SAKE CUT THAT OUTnymous?
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:45 PM on April 20, 2008
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:45 PM on April 20, 2008
Well, maybe if you get like a running start at it.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:01 PM on April 20, 2008
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:01 PM on April 20, 2008
*hums springtime for hitler*
posted by oxford blue at 10:12 PM on April 20, 2008
posted by oxford blue at 10:12 PM on April 20, 2008
I tried looking for a picture of an old wooden slide with splinters, but came up empty. So this is my best attempt at the dreaded "e" word: Devils Slide(rule)
posted by Devils Slide at 3:02 AM on April 21, 2008
posted by Devils Slide at 3:02 AM on April 21, 2008
April is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
They made me do it, ma.
posted by SteveInMaine at 6:09 AM on April 21, 2008
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
They made me do it, ma.
posted by SteveInMaine at 6:09 AM on April 21, 2008
So I think we need a new term for ones that aren't actually funny.
eponymeh?
posted by quin at 7:28 AM on April 21, 2008
eponymeh?
posted by quin at 7:28 AM on April 21, 2008
flatluigi's 'epathetic' FTW...it doubles as 'e-pathetic'.
Works on so many* levels.
*Well, two. But trust me, they're big levels. For reals.
posted by cosmonik at 8:03 AM on April 21, 2008
Works on so many* levels.
*Well, two. But trust me, they're big levels. For reals.
posted by cosmonik at 8:03 AM on April 21, 2008
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posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:08 PM on April 18, 2008 [14 favorites]