# A Resounding Silence.... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 4, 2010, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663 "2010-02-04T11:02:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Pixiesnix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Pixiesnix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixiesnix)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/81 "2010-02-05T05:13:49Z")
“Shoehorn butterhorse!”– **Homer** ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/82 "2010-02-05T14:55:04Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Nope. Both stole it. Hightower did use it about GHWBush in 1988. > > It’s definitely found by 1983 and not used by either of the gentlemen > > And, it goes back into the 1930’s, at least in sentiment. . Thanks, samclem. Ignorance fought. I did do a bit of searching around on that phrase, but all I came up with was Hightower and Switzer, and the Switzer quotes were all very imprecise about when and where he actually said it. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/83 "2010-02-05T15:13:22Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Agreed–see also “the corporations.” It is at least possible to have an intelligent debate about the negative effects of corporate influence on society. Once you’ve thrown out the word “sheeple”, however, you’re essentially declaring that anyone who disagrees with you is stupid and/or brainwashed, thus indicating that intelligent debate with you is impossible. It doesn’t just poison the well, it practically nukes it. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/84 "2010-02-05T16:03:58Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > \ Once you’ve thrown out the word “sheeple”, however, you’re essentially declaring that anyone who disagrees with you is stupid and/or brainwashed,\ You’re saying that like it’s a bad thing. ---
**Author:** ![Slypork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc29f/32.png) [@Slypork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slypork)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/85 "2010-02-05T16:19:16Z")
> [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](#): > > Your statements are too intriguing and I demand to be subscribed to your newsletter! Sorry, but my newsletter is usually not that depressing. Normally I’m a pretty optimistic guy, looking for the good in life and trusting in the better nature of mankind. I was in the middle of a rotten day, and was feeling incredibly cynical about humanity. My friend told me that since his company got bought out he will lose his job of 20 years or he can apply for the same position after the merger but at a lower salary. And, of course, the news that the Democratic contender for Illinois Lt. Governor has a [criminal record](http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/2029016,scott-cohen-arrest-020410.article)just made me look at the world through shit-stained glasses. But when I got home last night the dogs met me at the door, my daughter ran up and gave me a hug, my wife was in a good mood and my son had his hilarious nerdy friend over so the evening was great. I no longer feel like the world sucks and that we should just wipe the slate clean for the cockroaches to start over. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/86 "2010-02-05T16:23:40Z")
Good, because the Sentient Cockroach Civilization is even more messed up than ours. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/87 "2010-02-05T18:39:38Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > . . . if most people are sheep then the natural form of government will be one form of autocracy or another. I beg to differ. If most people are sheep, then the natural form of government will be headed by border collies. Just a WAG, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Slypork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc29f/32.png) [@Slypork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slypork)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/88 "2010-02-05T18:42:39Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > I beg to differ. > > If most people are sheep, then the natural form of government will be headed by border collies. Just a WAG, of course. Bah, ram you! Before anyone says it, I intentionally misspelled it. ---
**Author:** ![otternell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecc23a/32.png) [@otternell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/otternell)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/89 "2010-02-05T18:53:22Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > I beg to differ. > > If most people are sheep, then the natural form of government will be headed by border collies. Just a WAG, of course. I would vote for that form of government! Tummy rubs for all! All hail our slobbery overlords! Animal abuse punished by being tied down and licked to death (after said licker had consumed “cat box crunchies”). :eek: ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/90 "2010-02-06T02:38:52Z")
> [@lurking\_guest](#): > > I propose not replacing government with anything at all…except folks who have something more than their own personal gain at heart. Show us an instance where that has worked out well. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/91 "2010-02-06T07:31:41Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > I beg to differ. > > If most people are sheep, then the natural form of government will be headed by border collies. Just a WAG, of course. No, you’re barking up the wrong tree there. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/92 "2010-02-06T10:35:12Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > No, you’re barking up the wrong tree there. That was one lame dog response there, sir. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/93 "2010-02-06T15:08:54Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > Not enough pithy aphorisms quoted as facts. Nor enough bragging about losing a battle of wits vs. a padlock. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Hartwick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@Dave\_Hartwick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Hartwick)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/94 "2010-02-06T16:24:26Z")
I have this automatic fuck you finger for anybody who uses the word “sheeple” in earnest. It says fuck you. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/95 "2010-02-06T16:37:07Z")
Use of the term ‘Sheeple’ is the big red flag that someone has been smoking from the conspiracy theorist smugness pipe. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663.md?page=4)