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Ms. Toad

(34,235 posts)
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 08:05 PM Dec 2022

Please use real names at least once in your posts, and provide some context.

I'm not living inside your head, or watching TV with you. I don't know all of the cutesy names living in your head for all of the folks in the news. (At least) three times in the last 24 hours an OP had been incomprehensible to me because the OP used their own pet names for someone . . . in two of them I'm still not sure who (or what) was being referred to. Just as frequently someone comments on SOME BIG THING without including a clue about what THAT BIG THING was.

This is a discussion board. There's much more likely to be a discussion if you give us a clue about what you would like to discuss.

139 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Please use real names at least once in your posts, and provide some context. (Original Post) Ms. Toad Dec 2022 OP
Yes, and please add a little context grumpyduck Dec 2022 #1
I buried the request for context in the post - Ms. Toad Dec 2022 #3
Can we all agree on the term Slobfather? SouthernDem4ever Dec 2022 #78
How hard is it to do Slobfather* Ms. Toad Dec 2022 #116
ok :) SouthernDem4ever Dec 2022 #124
Really. Some very self-centered people think everyone should be as super-cool and clued-in as them Bernardo de La Paz Dec 2022 #2
Yup. n/t Ms. Toad Dec 2022 #4
You'd think after 53 years of Internet & 29 years of the Web, adults would have figured this out. nt Bernardo de La Paz Dec 2022 #6
I think micro-blogging (e.g. Twitter) and texting has made it worse. Ms. Toad Dec 2022 #8
Ding! orthoclad Dec 2022 #42
Dong! orthoclad Dec 2022 #52
Not all of us are computer savvy, my Friend Deuxcents Dec 2022 #10
Sure. Names and contexts is pretty basic stuff. It's about being social-savvy, not computer-savvy Bernardo de La Paz Dec 2022 #12
I DO consider myself to be fairly computer savvy, but that doesn't mean I can read minds! 😆 ShazzieB Dec 2022 #38
Agreed. I'm not a mind reader. Ms. Toad Dec 2022 #51
I still don't know who FFFF and boo boo are. :-) N/T Foolacious Dec 2022 #81
32 years of the web. The 1st website went up on December 20, 1990 (so was in the 1980s for 12 days) Celerity Dec 2022 #88
+10. Thanks for the history review. KY_EnviroGuy Dec 2022 #112
Yes, thanks, Celerity. Only 30 years ago! I had a computer before Hortensis Dec 2022 #132
I just ignore them. grumpyduck Dec 2022 #5
I get annoyed when I click on something that looks interesting/important Ms. Toad Dec 2022 #7
I just call'em on it.. "ok WTF does xyz mean?" Sometimes it works, sometimes .....crickets....nt. mitch96 Dec 2022 #16
Same here - But it seems to be getting worse Ms. Toad Dec 2022 #58
Yes. Odds are great they have nothing worthwhile to say. Patterson Dec 2022 #54
re: "Some very self-centered people think..." thesquanderer Dec 2022 #99
Yes, that is a large motivation, I think. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Dec 2022 #106
Agreed relayerbob Dec 2022 #9
Come on! Everyone knows who Packard, Skank, Rughead, Gutterboy, Minty and Oggie are! TheBlackAdder Dec 2022 #45
Nope. n/t Ms. Toad Dec 2022 #62
No idea. Never saw the movie. calimary Dec 2022 #69
LOL. nt sl8 Dec 2022 #74
I Enjoyed That Movie ProfessorGAC Dec 2022 #79
I might take a few seconds to try to figure posts like that out. lpbk2713 Dec 2022 #11
there is a "trash thread" option though, barbtries Dec 2022 #26
I skip the posts with cryptic titles, no substantive info Random Boomer Dec 2022 #33
agreed SCantiGOP Dec 2022 #43
Good point. Ms. Toad Dec 2022 #59
here's one I never click NJCher Dec 2022 #67
I share your peeve, but cut some slack this past week or so. Fiendish Thingy Dec 2022 #13
True...this has been a particularly screwy week. ShazzieB Dec 2022 #40
The three in the last 24 hours weren't a reaction to breaking news. Ms. Toad Dec 2022 #60
I absolutely agree with you. Talitha Dec 2022 #14
There used to be tons of posts about "Tweety." johnp3907 Dec 2022 #15
Yes, Chris Mathews was "Tweety" caraher Dec 2022 #17
yeah, Chris Mathews is right. barbtries Dec 2022 #27
Not sure I ever figured out, Ms. Toad Dec 2022 #61
Yup, that was Chris Matthews. sakabatou Dec 2022 #108
I learned that one fast treestar Dec 2022 #138
it's not that hard... myohmy2 Dec 2022 #18
Yea, it often is, and it shouldn't be obamanut2012 Dec 2022 #83
The More We ........ McKim Dec 2022 #19
and please if you are posting something about weather give us a clue where you are rurallib Dec 2022 #20
Ditto that! n/t Quakerfriend Dec 2022 #29
This, and so others can better appreciate the sharing. Hortensis Dec 2022 #131
I'm guessing a fair amount of this is not real people posting how they really think. erronis Dec 2022 #21
Well THAT's intriguing. Abolishinist Dec 2022 #25
Oh we've had scandals with trolls trying to control te jury LakeArenal Dec 2022 #47
I can understand that, but I thought a 'bot' Abolishinist Dec 2022 #66
You are correct obamanut2012 Dec 2022 #85
Why wouldn't states and groups engaged in cyber warfare Hortensis Dec 2022 #133
Nah, most are long-time posters obamanut2012 Dec 2022 #84
i feel the same way about acronyms CatWoman Dec 2022 #22
Like OP, ROFL. :) Ms. Toad Dec 2022 #63
THIS! orangecrush Dec 2022 #23
Lol grantcart Dec 2022 #46
At DU we aren't "character limited" so be verbose!! NoMoreRepugs Dec 2022 #24
That is reason #1 I never signed up with Twitter. chriscan64 Dec 2022 #32
+1,000 MicaelS Dec 2022 #28
Happy Festivus! BootinUp Dec 2022 #30
I read a book about the TV show Seinfeld. It tells how a lot of the story lines got written. spike jones Dec 2022 #37
o k I had not heard or read about that, or I have forgotten BootinUp Dec 2022 #39
Festivus was conceived by author and editor Daniel O'Keefe, the father of television writer Dan Celerity Dec 2022 #91
This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Dec 2022 #93
Thanks, I agree. Clarity of communication is a good thing. CaptainTruth Dec 2022 #31
States, as well as cities, would be helpful, too. There are a lot of Springfields... Rhiannon12866 Dec 2022 #34
And Charlestons and Jacksonvilles, both of which came up this past week. ShazzieB Dec 2022 #48
When I read these, I check to see what state forum they were posted in Rhiannon12866 Dec 2022 #50
Sometimes checking profiles helps if a state is mentioned there. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Dec 2022 #70
I do that all the time, but typically people don't add specifics Rhiannon12866 Dec 2022 #72
I can't tell you how many actual news articles never identify the state or even give hints. TheBlackAdder Dec 2022 #55
That's an argument for posting in the state forums - or adding the state in the subject line Rhiannon12866 Dec 2022 #57
It's like 87th street is burger flyin... Ohio Joe Dec 2022 #35
Yeah, let's be a little specific about place names: "P-ville Judge throws out brutality case!" NBachers Dec 2022 #36
The marmoset has decamped. LudwigPastorius Dec 2022 #41
That makes at least as much sense as one of the posts which triggered this thread. n/t Ms. Toad Dec 2022 #64
He did that by way of example I am BootinUp Dec 2022 #65
And posts that consist of "Link to tweet" orthoclad Dec 2022 #44
Then sometimes when you ask for content or who ya talking about. LakeArenal Dec 2022 #49
Or copy and paste the contents of a "tweet" they're posting orthoclad Dec 2022 #53
Google is a misspelling of a specific very large number. And twitter has a been a word for centuries mathematic Dec 2022 #76
Their modern usage is infantile orthoclad Dec 2022 #139
Yes. A few seconds writer time saves thousands of seconds reader time in total. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Dec 2022 #71
If the title leaves out context I don't click. GoodRaisin Dec 2022 #56
Agree Meowmee Dec 2022 #68
I refuse to write or speak the name of the MAGAt king. Roisin Ni Fiachra Dec 2022 #73
And please, no more posts titled: "This" Pluvious Dec 2022 #75
I agree. A little snark or humor is fun, but let's make sure we provide meaningful content and Martin68 Dec 2022 #77
I would agree except for the Gym Jordan thing. twodogsbarking Dec 2022 #80
Thank you! And, no blind links obamanut2012 Dec 2022 #82
Who is TNG or. Tng or tng ?? MasonDreams Dec 2022 #86
I came to ForgedCrank Dec 2022 #87
Wow, everyone sounds a little grumpy this Christmas morn. 1WorldHope Dec 2022 #89
👍 Joinfortmill Dec 2022 #97
Welcome to DU, 1WorldHope. Niagara Dec 2022 #114
I understand completely, I, also often experience profound 1WorldHope Dec 2022 #135
Welcome 1World. Hope you had a Merry Christmas. debm55 Dec 2022 #115
We dodged the weather they got in Buffalo. 1WorldHope Dec 2022 #136
My real first name is Martin, but everyone calls me Marty Martin Eden Dec 2022 #90
Great Context DontBelieveEastisEas Dec 2022 #110
More context: Martin Eden Dec 2022 #111
The phony name I disliked was using "PBO" for Barack Obama. JustABozoOnThisBus Dec 2022 #92
Assuming TFG means the former, twice impeached, president tiredtoo Dec 2022 #94
The Former Guy. debm55 Dec 2022 #101
thanks EOM tiredtoo Dec 2022 #113
Sigh. Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all. Joinfortmill Dec 2022 #95
Joinfortmill, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you too. debm55 Dec 2022 #103
"Hair Furhair" is pretty descriptive. ;) Justice matters. Dec 2022 #96
Threads with cliche titles GenThePerservering Dec 2022 #98
CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN, RIGHT FUCKING NOW!!! madinmaryland Dec 2022 #100
This message was self-deleted by its author debm55 Dec 2022 #104
Not really a congressional issue. Ms. Toad Dec 2022 #120
that was hilarious treestar Dec 2022 #137
Proof reading before posting avoids misconceptions. rickford66 Dec 2022 #102
Then you'll be called the grammar police or SharonClark Dec 2022 #125
well den ferget abot it. rickford66 Dec 2022 #130
I have aphasia so it is hard enough for me to understand what is written even when precise. Dysfunctional Dec 2022 #105
I have to agree, I have tremors in my hands. It takes me very long to write and even though I proof debm55 Dec 2022 #107
Have you looked at the Ask the Administrators forum recently? Ms. Toad Dec 2022 #118
Ms. Toad, for some of us it does take longer than a few seconds. I know it because it happens debm55 Dec 2022 #119
Does it take longer to type "Trump" than it does to type "Slobfather" Ms. Toad Dec 2022 #121
I use tRump. I understand where you are coming from. I am usually not over here, so I don't know the debm55 Dec 2022 #122
It's not a rule - it's just common courtesy, Ms. Toad Dec 2022 #123
Once while dining at a landmark restaurant in COMO at the Zoo... GreenWave Dec 2022 #109
I agree with this post Mysterian Dec 2022 #117
I've blocked posts that have subject lines like SharonClark Dec 2022 #126
I haven't blocked them - Ms. Toad Dec 2022 #127
I view DU as a serious but fun information/discussion site ecstatic Dec 2022 #128
I don't even like when "rethugs" or similar are used. Just say Republicans. betsuni Dec 2022 #129
✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ n/t msfiddlestix Dec 2022 #134

Ms. Toad

(34,235 posts)
3. I buried the request for context in the post -
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 08:16 PM
Dec 2022

But yes. Really tired of having to figure out what the heck the OP is trying to say.

SouthernDem4ever

(6,618 posts)
78. Can we all agree on the term Slobfather?
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 01:12 PM
Dec 2022

I really like that one

Really though, I understand what the op was saying and agree we need to make sure others understand who/what we are talking about.

Ms. Toad

(34,235 posts)
116. How hard is it to do Slobfather*
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 10:21 PM
Dec 2022

And then at the bottom of the post:

* Trump

Or Slobfather (Trump). Or any other way of designating in your post who you mean by Slobfather.

I'm not saying don't use nicknames (although I think they generally drag us down to their level). But at least define your nicknames somewhere in the post.

Bernardo de La Paz

(49,171 posts)
2. Really. Some very self-centered people think everyone should be as super-cool and clued-in as them
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 08:13 PM
Dec 2022

Frequently they don't want a discussion. Notice all the post-and-run OPs. Post a thread and don't engage.

Ms. Toad

(34,235 posts)
8. I think micro-blogging (e.g. Twitter) and texting has made it worse.
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 08:24 PM
Dec 2022

People are using extreme abbreviations to stay within the character limit or to make texting more efficient.

orthoclad

(2,910 posts)
52. Dong!
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 11:14 PM
Dec 2022

I also have never "double-thumbed" in my life.

Cell comms are useful for some things like curbside orders or caring for sick family, but it's disturbing how much of people's lives resides in that little box of spyware in their hands.

Celling and driving is as bad or worse than drinking and driving. Every trip I take I see cell hazards on the road. Cops don't enforce distracted driving because they're on their phone.

When we learn to use a tool, we lose the ability to do without it. And it's far worse when the tool shrinks us rather than expands us.

Deuxcents

(16,593 posts)
10. Not all of us are computer savvy, my Friend
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 08:36 PM
Dec 2022

We’re here to get information/education n asking to be considerate is not a heavy request. 🎄

Bernardo de La Paz

(49,171 posts)
12. Sure. Names and contexts is pretty basic stuff. It's about being social-savvy, not computer-savvy
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 08:55 PM
Dec 2022

Would they walk into their favourite bar and shout "That testimony sinks their case!" and walk out again?

ShazzieB

(16,805 posts)
38. I DO consider myself to be fairly computer savvy, but that doesn't mean I can read minds! 😆
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 10:42 PM
Dec 2022

I agree with the need to include context, names, etc. when making posts. And for Pete's sake, please do not assume that everyone who sees your post just saw the exact same clip on TV that you did!

It doesn't work that way. None of this works that way.

Ms. Toad

(34,235 posts)
51. Agreed. I'm not a mind reader.
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 11:11 PM
Dec 2022

No clue who or what FFFF, or boo boo are, and neither of the posts with those cutesy names bothered to add enough context for me to figure it out. Dook is apparently Duke energy (at least there was a link for that one).

Celerity

(44,121 posts)
88. 32 years of the web. The 1st website went up on December 20, 1990 (so was in the 1980s for 12 days)
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 02:38 PM
Dec 2022
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_World_Wide_Web

By December 1990, Berners-Lee and his work team had built all the tools necessary for a working Web: the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), the HyperText Markup Language (HTML), the first web browser (named WorldWideWeb, which was also a web editor), the first web server (later known as CERN httpd) and the first web site (http://info.cern.ch) containing the first web pages that described the project itself was published on 20 December 1990. The browser could access Usenet newsgroups and FTP files as well. A NeXT Computer was used by Berners-Lee as the web server and also to write the web browser.

In January 1991, the first web servers outside CERN were switched on. On 6 August 1991, Berners-Lee published a short summary of the World Wide Web project on the newsgroup alt.hypertext, inviting collaborators.

https://web.archive.org/web/20130529231641/https://groups.google.com/group/alt.hypertext/msg/395f282a67a1916c






The NeXT Computer used by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN became the first Web server.




the office where it was turned on


the first website

https://www.w3.org/History/19921103-hypertext/hypertext/WWW/TheProject.html



snapshot of how it looked then



KY_EnviroGuy

(14,515 posts)
112. +10. Thanks for the history review.
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 08:25 PM
Dec 2022

Brings back memories of AOL and Compuserve dial-up and getting all pumped when 14.4k modems and 386 'puters came out.

And then, here comes Windows........ ......

Have a good and safe holiday, Celerity!.......

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
132. Yes, thanks, Celerity. Only 30 years ago! I had a computer before
Mon Dec 26, 2022, 09:26 AM
Dec 2022

then but used it to write and print reports for my work. No more Liquid Paper or carbons was a Great Leap Forward. Loved, loved, loved it.

Sadly, no memory of when I first went on line. Likely just happened sorta seamlessly, casually typing an address I heard about at the cursor on the black screen, without realizing I was joining a "giant (blind) leap for mankind."

What I remember all too well was having to fix my own problems by reading the DOS operating system manual. (Also loved, loved, loved "tech support" when it came along later.)

Ms. Toad

(34,235 posts)
7. I get annoyed when I click on something that looks interesting/important
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 08:22 PM
Dec 2022

and discover I can't make heads or tail of it.

I ignored the 1st 2 in the last 24 hours. My crankiness won out on the 3rd one.

mitch96

(13,972 posts)
16. I just call'em on it.. "ok WTF does xyz mean?" Sometimes it works, sometimes .....crickets....nt.
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 09:13 PM
Dec 2022

thesquanderer

(12,022 posts)
99. re: "Some very self-centered people think..."
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 06:21 PM
Dec 2022

I've noticed that these non-context posts often refer to something that there is already a thread about. It makes me wonder why they just don't post their comment in the existing thread. It seems like they think their words on the topic are so important that they must be seen on the front page, rather than risk getting buried with the comments from the rest of us.

relayerbob

(6,574 posts)
9. Agreed
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 08:28 PM
Dec 2022

Had one the other day that was so filled up with nonsense and pet names and phrases, it literally read like something out of a QAnon memo. It made no sense, and all one could garner from it, was the the person posting was outraged.

TheBlackAdder

(28,308 posts)
45. Come on! Everyone knows who Packard, Skank, Rughead, Gutterboy, Minty and Oggie are!
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 11:00 PM
Dec 2022

.

The antagonists in Charlie Sheen's 1986 movie The Wraith!




.

ProfessorGAC

(65,709 posts)
79. I Enjoyed That Movie
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 01:20 PM
Dec 2022

The bad guys were irredeemable, Charlie Sheen plays a ghost, the actress who plays Carrie is really cute, and the cars are cool.
It's certainly not a great movie, but enjoyable.

lpbk2713

(42,795 posts)
11. I might take a few seconds to try to figure posts like that out.
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 08:38 PM
Dec 2022


The ones I really can't handle are the ones that have a subject line similar to "Hey, check this out."
And then a link. I get out of there as quick as I can. It's times like that I miss the "Unrec" option.


Random Boomer

(4,174 posts)
33. I skip the posts with cryptic titles, no substantive info
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 10:20 PM
Dec 2022

You must read this!

Really important

This made me mad

I recommend this

Why?

NJCher

(35,943 posts)
67. here's one I never click
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 01:19 AM
Dec 2022

"found on Facebook."

Like that's significant? That's a good thing? That's interesting? Urm, no.

If i wanted to dull my mind with Facebook, i'd go there directly, not through you Mr. Facebook Poster.

Fiendish Thingy

(15,764 posts)
13. I share your peeve, but cut some slack this past week or so.
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 08:57 PM
Dec 2022

There has been a tremendous amount of breaking news and events reacted to in real time.

Generally, I just skip over cryptic/unintelligible/indecipherable threads.

If I’m feeling impish, I might post my own cryptic response.

After all, it’s just the internet.

ShazzieB

(16,805 posts)
40. True...this has been a particularly screwy week.
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 10:48 PM
Dec 2022

This stuff does go on all the time to some extent, though, and if more of us got in the habit of trying to be at least somewhat more informative, i think we'd be less likely to slip up when things get crazy. Just a thought!

Ms. Toad

(34,235 posts)
60. The three in the last 24 hours weren't a reaction to breaking news.
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 12:00 AM
Dec 2022

Even if they are (and someone is trying to beat everyone else to post the thread), there's an edit feature here. Once you've won the race to post, go back and fill in the context. Explain who the heck FFFF is, or what announcement you are reacting to.

Talitha

(6,707 posts)
14. I absolutely agree with you.
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 09:04 PM
Dec 2022

The sad thing is, they actually might have something interesting to share with us. But by losing potential readers' interest, they only hurt themselves.

johnp3907

(3,739 posts)
15. There used to be tons of posts about "Tweety."
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 09:07 PM
Dec 2022

I had no idea who that was. I think I eventually figured out who it was. I'm not even sure I remember now. Chris Mathews maybe? After a while I just put "Tweety" in my trash can so I wouldn't see those posts anymore.

caraher

(6,279 posts)
17. Yes, Chris Mathews was "Tweety"
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 09:17 PM
Dec 2022

Keeping up on internet slang/catchphrases is another issue... I remember having a hard time on a jury once because I was unfamiliar with "obvious troll is obvious" as a commonplace internet expression.

Ms. Toad

(34,235 posts)
61. Not sure I ever figured out,
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 12:02 AM
Dec 2022

or cared enough to figure out. I certainly wouldn't have remembered now.

McKim

(2,412 posts)
19. The More We ........
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 09:18 PM
Dec 2022

The more we use cutesy names and in jokes, the less likely we are to have new people join our community. I want DU to grow!!!!!

rurallib

(62,538 posts)
20. and please if you are posting something about weather give us a clue where you are
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 09:19 PM
Dec 2022

so we can figure out if it should concern us.
Thanks

erronis

(15,646 posts)
21. I'm guessing a fair amount of this is not real people posting how they really think.
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 09:20 PM
Dec 2022

And engaging these non-real people in requests to supply more context is futile and may even excite the bots.

Abolishinist

(1,361 posts)
25. Well THAT's intriguing.
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 09:33 PM
Dec 2022

That thought would have never crossed my mind about this site. Places like Facebook et al, but wow, DU as well?

So you're saying that forums such as this one are plagued by bots as well? What do you think they're doing here? Curious minds want to know, I find this fascinating!

LakeArenal

(28,947 posts)
47. Oh we've had scandals with trolls trying to control te jury
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 11:02 PM
Dec 2022

Fake multiple accounts.

Trouble making and divisive. It’s worked for awhile.

Abolishinist

(1,361 posts)
66. I can understand that, but I thought a 'bot'
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 12:20 AM
Dec 2022

is an automated software program, i.e. non-human. Different than a troll.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
133. Why wouldn't states and groups engaged in cyber warfare
Mon Dec 26, 2022, 09:45 AM
Dec 2022

and other psychops target DU? Some assume we're too small to bother with, but we're the largest open community of Democrats on the web and most of us vote and talk to others. The stakes, nationally and internationally, are enormous. My assumption is of course we're targeted.

As for post titles, most of the time I just assume the poster thinks a bunch of others are on the same wavelength. "I hope she dies!" suggesting some eminently hateable RW nasty's said something again isn't all that unclear when any of them will do.

chriscan64

(1,789 posts)
32. That is reason #1 I never signed up with Twitter.
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 10:02 PM
Dec 2022

I am just getting warmed up at 140 words, 140 characters forget about it.

spike jones

(1,702 posts)
37. I read a book about the TV show Seinfeld. It tells how a lot of the story lines got written.
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 10:39 PM
Dec 2022

Many were from the cast’s and writer’s family, friends, and acquaintances personal experiences. One writer’s father invented the holiday Festivus in 1966 as a family tradition and to be celebrated as an alternate to other holidays, not just Christmas. There were many rituals in the celebration, some of them were included in the show, some were not. One that was not included was the traditional hand-painted cardboard sign on the mantle that read, “FUCK FASCISM

BootinUp

(47,279 posts)
39. o k I had not heard or read about that, or I have forgotten
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 10:44 PM
Dec 2022

in any event, it is very interesting that he chose to write about it as a comedy.

Celerity

(44,121 posts)
91. Festivus was conceived by author and editor Daniel O'Keefe, the father of television writer Dan
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 03:23 PM
Dec 2022

O'Keefe, and was celebrated by his family as early as 1966.

While the Latin word fēstīvus means "excellent, jovial, lively", and derives from fēstus, meaning "joyous; holiday, feast day", Festivus in this sense was coined by the elder O'Keefe.

According to him, the name "just popped into my head". In the original O'Keefe tradition, the holiday would take place to celebrate the anniversary of Daniel O'Keefe's first date with his future wife, Deborah.

The phrase "a Festivus for the rest of us" originally referred to those remaining after the death of the elder O'Keefe's mother, Jeanette, in 1976; i.e., the "rest of us" are the living, as opposed to the dead.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festivus

Response to Celerity (Reply #91)

ShazzieB

(16,805 posts)
48. And Charlestons and Jacksonvilles, both of which came up this past week.
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 11:04 PM
Dec 2022

And lots of other names that are repeated across the country.

If it's not as well known and/or unique as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Detroit, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston, etc., specifying the state is highly recommended, and appreciated.

Rhiannon12866

(208,050 posts)
50. When I read these, I check to see what state forum they were posted in
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 11:06 PM
Dec 2022

But more often than not, they're in GD.

Rhiannon12866

(208,050 posts)
72. I do that all the time, but typically people don't add specifics
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 06:01 AM
Dec 2022

Not even gender - and unless you can tell by the name, it's tough, and I usually guess wrong.

TheBlackAdder

(28,308 posts)
55. I can't tell you how many actual news articles never identify the state or even give hints.
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 11:42 PM
Dec 2022

.

This has you wondering where it happened.

There was something in Springfield. I wondered if it was Illinois, New Jersey or what. Turned out to be Oregon.

.

NBachers

(17,233 posts)
36. Yeah, let's be a little specific about place names: "P-ville Judge throws out brutality case!"
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 10:23 PM
Dec 2022

Where the hell is P-ville?

LudwigPastorius

(9,375 posts)
41. The marmoset has decamped.
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 10:50 PM
Dec 2022

Repeat:

The marmoset has decamped.

Breaching of Pillow Fort Alpha is immanent. Return all packages postage paid.

Postage paid, for god's sake!

orthoclad

(2,910 posts)
44. And posts that consist of "Link to tweet"
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 10:59 PM
Dec 2022

A lot of us have web hygiene that blocks the linked content, so all we see is the phrase "Link to tweet", and a lot of white space. Is it really that hard to actually tell us something about the post?

It's disturbing. A large fraction of the posts here are completely dependent on the services of a Bond villain.

I really appreciate the folks who take the trouble to quote or otherwise give context to the links (which are blank to many) they post.

LakeArenal

(28,947 posts)
49. Then sometimes when you ask for content or who ya talking about.
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 11:04 PM
Dec 2022

They get real rude. How hard is it to type the ten more letters or so of someone ‘s name?

orthoclad

(2,910 posts)
53. Or copy and paste the contents of a "tweet" they're posting
Sat Dec 24, 2022, 11:26 PM
Dec 2022

God, I hate that word. Tweet, Google, twitter, infantile words ad nauseum.

It's almost like Techbroworld is dumbing us down. /s

mathematic

(1,443 posts)
76. Google is a misspelling of a specific very large number. And twitter has a been a word for centuries
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 12:18 PM
Dec 2022

Neither of these words are infantile and neither were invented by tech bros.

orthoclad

(2,910 posts)
139. Their modern usage is infantile
Mon Dec 26, 2022, 07:24 PM
Dec 2022

The mathematical term "googol" was coined by a small child's whimsy.
from wiki
"The term was coined in 1920 by 9-year-old Milton Sirotta (1911–1981), nephew of U.S. mathematician Edward Kasner.[1] He may have been inspired by the contemporary comic strip character Barney Google.[2] "


And I still hate to use the t-words, they're ridiculous. But normalized, now.

All part of the trend of dumbing-down.
https://music.apple.com/us/song/dumb-it-down/1625904508

Play is essential to science and furthering knowledge, but this is something else...

Meowmee

(5,164 posts)
68. Agree
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 01:48 AM
Dec 2022

The ones that really annoy me are some big thing or guess what happened or I’m so over it blah blah blah lol. Even tabloid headlines give you some idea what it’s going to be in their articles.

I guess it’s a form of Clickbait probably in some cases.

Martin68

(23,175 posts)
77. I agree. A little snark or humor is fun, but let's make sure we provide meaningful content and
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 12:41 PM
Dec 2022

context as well.

ForgedCrank

(1,809 posts)
87. I came to
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 02:15 PM
Dec 2022

this conclusion some time back and solved it once I figured out the auto trash settings page and the ignore feature. And I'm not really all that into the name calling either, I find it to be somewhat immature, but maybe I'm just too serious, who knows. Once in a blue moon might be good for a laugh, but it's simple and tiring when on repeat.
It's just a handful of people, so it's easy enough to ignore those users.

1WorldHope

(716 posts)
89. Wow, everyone sounds a little grumpy this Christmas morn.
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 02:55 PM
Dec 2022

I can usually figure out context from reading the comments section. Today, I shall do my best to focus on gratitude. I'm going to make pancakes for the birds. They are so cold and have so much to bitch about.

Niagara

(7,869 posts)
114. Welcome to DU, 1WorldHope.
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 09:32 PM
Dec 2022

We have several here in the community that come off as miserable people. You'll learn as you go and figure out which ones fit in this category.



I certainly hope that this doesn't discourage your time here on DU as there are wonderful members here.



Thank you for feeding the birds.





1WorldHope

(716 posts)
135. I understand completely, I, also often experience profound
Mon Dec 26, 2022, 02:29 PM
Dec 2022

hopelessness far too often. It's just been a rare week for me. I have felt so grateful for a change. Btw, birds love pancakes, dogs too.

1WorldHope

(716 posts)
136. We dodged the weather they got in Buffalo.
Mon Dec 26, 2022, 02:36 PM
Dec 2022

The kids couldn't make it here because they got hit in western Nebraska. But they were safe. We also didn't wake up in Ukraine. So it was a win win kind of Christmas for us. I hope it was good for you as well.

Martin Eden

(12,906 posts)
90. My real first name is Martin, but everyone calls me Marty
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 03:14 PM
Dec 2022

Last edited Sun Dec 25, 2022, 07:59 PM - Edit history (1)

Except my stepdaughter who called me Mardin when she was little, so I'm still Mardin to her and Grampdin to her kids.

Martin Eden

(12,906 posts)
111. More context:
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 08:06 PM
Dec 2022

My parents chose my first name because they liked the Jack London novel Martin Eden, so when I joined this online community in 2002 I chose it as my DU name.

JustABozoOnThisBus

(23,434 posts)
92. The phony name I disliked was using "PBO" for Barack Obama.
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 04:30 PM
Dec 2022

To use his actual initials BHO would be admitting that his middle hame is Hussein, which is obviously unacceptable. The current prez can be called JRB because nobody knows what "Robinette" means, so it's not scary or embarrassing like "Hussein".

wtf

tiredtoo

(2,949 posts)
94. Assuming TFG means the former, twice impeached, president
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 05:20 PM
Dec 2022

But I still do not know what the initials mean.

Justice matters.

(6,974 posts)
96. "Hair Furhair" is pretty descriptive. ;)
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 05:25 PM
Dec 2022

It is a historic shame he occupied the Oval Office to desecrate it with over 3 million less votes.

GenThePerservering

(1,968 posts)
98. Threads with cliche titles
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 05:58 PM
Dec 2022

but no title context:

"And so it begins..." - and so WHAT begins? There's no preview option on this site so please just spit it out!

"Maybe, just maybe..." Maybe what??

"Question" - ughmphff...

The rest I can deal with because I'm reading them anyway.

Response to madinmaryland (Reply #100)

Ms. Toad

(34,235 posts)
120. Not really a congressional issue.
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 11:16 PM
Dec 2022

Just a request that members take a few seconds to extend a bit of common courtesy.

SharonClark

(10,014 posts)
125. Then you'll be called the grammar police or
Mon Dec 26, 2022, 12:27 AM
Dec 2022

that grammar and spelling do not matter because you can figure out the meaning without it.

You may even be called elitist.

 

Dysfunctional

(452 posts)
105. I have aphasia so it is hard enough for me to understand what is written even when precise.
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 06:57 PM
Dec 2022

Also, I can not watch a 15-minute video and understand most of it. I do not expect anyone to write about the whole video, but a couple of sentences would be helpful. I try to be precise, I guess I should have a tagline about my aphasia.

debm55

(25,896 posts)
107. I have to agree, I have tremors in my hands. It takes me very long to write and even though I proof
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 07:18 PM
Dec 2022

read I still get mistakes. Somehow, this is coming across as a rant thread. I understand the original post, but I very seldom post in GD(General Discussion) because of my tremors caused by my meds . That's okay with me, because I mostly read but don't reply here. If people don't like things why not take it to the powers that be. Oh well, back to the Lounge. Sorry folks but some are coming across as a clique or snobs. Just my opinion based on the posts to this thread.

Ms. Toad

(34,235 posts)
118. Have you looked at the Ask the Administrators forum recently?
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 10:46 PM
Dec 2022

This doesn't fit in any of the few boxes listed there.

And it shouldn't take an action by the forum administrators for people to take a few seconds to make their posts comprehensible to others.

debm55

(25,896 posts)
119. Ms. Toad, for some of us it does take longer than a few seconds. I know it because it happens
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 11:06 PM
Dec 2022

everytime I post. Perhaps the poster should have been addressed by private e-
mail. It wouldn't have caused the posters to rant about what they don't like. For those of use with various disabilities some of the posts hurt. I still say there could have been a better way to address the problem. I stand by my words and if you want to block me, so be it. I just did not like the way the thread was going. Just my opinion. But I am sure Earl could do something to overcome the problems that many have. Thank you.

Ms. Toad

(34,235 posts)
121. Does it take longer to type "Trump" than it does to type "Slobfather"
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 11:30 PM
Dec 2022

Boo boo, who I presume is Boebert, is shorter than her real name. FFFF is one character shorter than Trump (who I think they were talking about - but it could have been Musk (same number of characters), or someone else entirely.

There were three different posts, by three different posters, in the 24 hours which preceded this thread - and those are just the ones which jumped out at me. So it isn't just one poster. As you can tell from the responses it also isn't just my concern - so it would be a recipe for disaster for me (with not authority at all) to email each person who posts a cryptic message asking them to provide more detail.

As to the time it takes, while I am not currently impaired I was recently barred completely from using my right arm for a brief period (due to cancer surgery), and was severely limited for about 6 months). I don't believe that I ever resorted to cutesy nicknames, or providing no context, even when my ability to type was severely limited. I typed very slowly or used talk to text. (I did have a work-provided talk-to-text program, but the version built into Windows is functional.)

It really doesn't take much to provide context or use real names - certainly it can be done in fewer characters than you used suggesting I should ask the administrators to make a policy to fix the problem, rather than making a request that members of DU extend a bit of common courtsy.

debm55

(25,896 posts)
122. I use tRump. I understand where you are coming from. I am usually not over here, so I don't know the
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 11:41 PM
Dec 2022

rules for General Discussion. Perhaps posting rules at the top of the page?

Ms. Toad

(34,235 posts)
123. It's not a rule - it's just common courtesy,
Mon Dec 26, 2022, 12:14 AM
Dec 2022

which so many are ignoring that a substantial number of the posts are gibberish. That's why this thread struck a chord which many responded to.

When you say tRump, it is still clear who you are referring to. It's still the same word - all you've changed is the capitalization. That's a lot different than using FFFF and expecting everyone to know to whom you are referring. Or saying "Watch this right fucking now!!!!" with absolutely no information about what it is the poster wants us to watch.

GreenWave

(6,968 posts)
109. Once while dining at a landmark restaurant in COMO at the Zoo...
Sun Dec 25, 2022, 07:39 PM
Dec 2022

oops Columbia Missouri near the University of Missouri, the waitress asked me to follow the yellow brick toad. In this restaurant a whole decade gets about 25 feet of wall space to insert their puns and this wall I was seated near had "toad" puns. I don't know if the place is still there as the first section dated back from the 40's. There were about 5 such sections back then.

SharonClark

(10,014 posts)
126. I've blocked posts that have subject lines like
Mon Dec 26, 2022, 12:38 AM
Dec 2022

“Tweet of the day”, “best tweet of the day”, “tweet of the night”, “final tweet of the day”, etc.

The lack of information in the subject line is annoying.

ecstatic

(32,849 posts)
128. I view DU as a serious but fun information/discussion site
Mon Dec 26, 2022, 05:48 AM
Dec 2022

An underground... Sort of like a hangout spot. Not formal.

You raise a good point about offering more clarity. That said, if I see a cryptic post, I just move on. Maybe I'll look into it if I care enough, but sometimes it's just in one eye and out the other and quickly forgotten.

Just my opinion, of course.

betsuni

(26,017 posts)
129. I don't even like when "rethugs" or similar are used. Just say Republicans.
Mon Dec 26, 2022, 07:02 AM
Dec 2022

I don't care for being called "libtard" or "centrist" and all the other "them" insults.

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