# Bathroom warning mistaken for bomb threat at Home Depot

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-home-depot/829445>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [February 13, 2019, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-home-depot/829445 "2019-02-13T04:21:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 17\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-home-depot/829445/1 "2019-02-13T04:21:45Z")

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This is too good not to share. I don’t know where it belongs, but The Pit seems appropriate.

[A call to Sedgwick County dispatchers to report a bomb threat at Home Deport turned out to be been more of warning for customers in the restroom.](https://www.kwch.com/content/news/Bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-Home-Depot-505753401.html)

> [@](#):
>
> Someone there told staff they overheard the threat in the store’s restroom.
> 
> Police did some investigating and learned the “bomb threat” came from a man in a bathroom stall warning others about the severity of his need to use the restroom.
> 
> “You all need to get out of here because I’m fixin’ to blow it up.”

His consideration for others should be admired.

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**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-home-depot/829445/2 "2019-02-13T05:02:30Z")

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It’s right up there with the “'Scuse me while I whoop this out!” misunderstanding. 😃

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**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-home-depot/829445/3 "2019-02-13T09:18:05Z")

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Ha Ha Ha Ha  
He He He  
Hitler’s in the lavatory  
Singing songs, dropping bombs,  
Ha Ha Ha Ha He He He

Alas, can’t find it on youtube.

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**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-home-depot/829445/4 "2019-02-13T10:09:41Z")

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Part of me finds this funny, but part of me thinks this is like the “don’t say the word bomb in the airport” situation. You should probably know by now not to use bomb metaphors in public restrooms.

Not saying it about this particular guy, but I could see confusion like this being entirely intentional.

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**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-home-depot/829445/5 "2019-02-13T10:34:37Z")

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> [@BigT](#):
>
> Part of me finds this funny, but part of me thinks this is like the “don’t say the word bomb in the airport” situation. You should probably know by now not to use bomb metaphors in public restrooms.
> 
> Not saying it about this particular guy, but I could see confusion like this being entirely intentional.

Also, don’t ever acknowledge someone named [Jack](https://youtu.be/Kf3bw8KEZ44) at an airport.

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**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-home-depot/829445/6 "2019-02-13T13:23:18Z")

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> [@BigT](#):
>
> Part of me finds this funny, but part of me thinks this is like the “don’t say the word bomb in the airport” situation. You should probably know by now not to use bomb metaphors in public restrooms.
> 
> Not saying it about this particular guy, but I could see confusion like this being entirely intentional.

Whoosh. Right? Please tell me you’re kidding.

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**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-home-depot/829445/7 "2019-02-13T14:51:27Z")

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> [@purplehorseshoe](#):
>
> Whoosh. Right? Please tell me you’re kidding.

I don’t think he is, and I’m with him in principle. Yeah, it was a over-reaction, but if the words in the OP are what the gentleman said, that is:

> [@](#):
>
> “You all need to get out of here because I’m fixin’ to blow it up.”

then it not inconceivable for someone to see those words as a threat.

IMHO as always. YMMV.

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**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-home-depot/829445/8 "2019-02-13T15:05:27Z")

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But I think this line…

> [@BigT](#):
>
> I could see confusion like this being entirely intentional.

…takes it beyond the realm of the rational.

**BigT** is clearly saying the guy would make his comment believing (or even hoping) that someone would call in a bomb threat. Why would he want that? He might get evacuated while he’s in the middle of… well, evacuating.

I have friends like this guy. The over-the-top macho “good ol’ boy” posturing:  
“Ooh, WEE! I gotta drop a log so big it’s like a giant redwood! Outta my way!”

And, no, this guy wouldn’t think through what he’s saying. Especially if he’s in a rush to get his bomb bay doors open…

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**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-home-depot/829445/9 "2019-02-13T15:11:33Z")

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I’ve known plenty of he-men who love to announce their upcoming bowel movements. “Gonna take a dump.” “I gotta manure.” “About to make some brownies.”

They love to inform the entire room.

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-home-depot/829445/10 "2019-02-13T15:28:05Z")

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Saying “blow up” in respect to effusive pooping is common parlance around here. Nobody would take it to mean anything else.

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**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-home-depot/829445/11 "2019-02-13T15:36:05Z")

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> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#):
>
> Saying “blow up” in respect to effusive pooping is common parlance around here. Nobody would take it to mean anything else.

I would have assumed that he was going to do one of those party balloon shows in the shitter, which definitely would have me calling the police. We don’t need magicians acting all weird like that.

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**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-home-depot/829445/12 "2019-02-13T15:37:53Z")

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> [@Superdude](#):
>
> Also, don’t ever acknowledge someone named (url=“[https://youtu.be/Kf3bw8KEZ44](https://youtu.be/Kf3bw8KEZ44)”) Jack(/url) at an airport.

Dilbert did it better.  
[https://dilbert.com/strip/2004-01-20](https://dilbert.com/strip/2004-01-20)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-home-depot/829445/13 "2019-02-13T17:56:31Z")

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> [@digs](#):
>
> But I think this line…takes it beyond the realm of the rational.
> 
> **BigT** is clearly saying the guy would make his comment believing (or even hoping) that someone would call in a bomb threat. Why would he want that? He might get evacuated while he’s in the middle of… well, evacuating.
> 
> I have friends like this guy. The over-the-top macho “good ol’ boy” posturing:  
> “Ooh, WEE! I gotta drop a log so big it’s like a giant redwood! Outta my way!”
> 
> And, no, this guy wouldn’t think through what he’s saying. Especially if he’s in a rush to get his bomb bay doors open…

Nah, you misunderstood. I was saying that I could believe someone–“not this particular guy”–doing it on purpose.

I was thinking more like the idiot kids who were the type to actually try saying “bomb” at an airport. But I saw this guy’s age, and I realized it was what you described.

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**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-home-depot/829445/14 "2019-02-13T18:21:36Z")

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> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#):
>
> Saying “blow up” in respect to effusive pooping is common parlance around here. Nobody would take it to mean anything else.

Where’s your “around here”? I’ve never heard anyone use “blow up” that way in my area (northern New Jersey).

I, personally, would be _extremely_ alarmed if I heard someone in a bathroom saying what this guy said.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-home-depot/829445/15 "2019-02-13T18:51:18Z")

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> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#):
>
> I’ve never heard anyone use “blow up” that way in my area (northern New Jersey).

I’m in Washington DC and I know a few guys who have made similar sort of jokes in the past (“Don’t go in there, I just dropped a bomb!”) and I’m sure I’ve heard that sort of puerile humor on TV.

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**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-home-depot/829445/16 "2019-02-13T20:42:28Z")

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> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#):
>
> I don’t think he is, and I’m with him in principle. Yeah, it was a over-reaction, but if the words in the OP are what the gentleman said, that is: then it not inconceivable for someone to see those words as a threat.
> 
> IMHO as always. YMMV.

I would think that if you heard it coming from a person who just went into the stall and sat down, you could infer what he meant from the context. Hell, barring some sort of terroristic posturing, that’s what I would have assumed if anyone had said “that guy in the men’s room says he’s going to blow it up.”

Would it have been much clearer had he said “I’m gonna drop a bomb!”?

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-warning-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-at-home-depot/829445/17 "2019-02-13T23:32:29Z")

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> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#):
>
> Where’s your “around here”? I’ve never heard anyone use “blow up” that way in my area (northern New Jersey).
> 
> I, personally, would be _extremely_ alarmed if I heard someone in a bathroom saying what this guy said.

I’m in the southern part of Florida, by which I mean north Florida.
