# Can we get rid of the "Dubious" smiley? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [January 7, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752 "2012-01-07T18:35:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/41 "2012-01-09T17:59:40Z")
> [@JBDivmstr](#): > > (What in the hell is a “purple nurple”?!) 😕 [Nurple = nipple](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=purple%20nurple). Also, a “Texas titty-twister”. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/42 "2012-01-09T19:45:31Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > [Nurple = nipple](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=purple%20nurple). Also, a _ **“Texas titty-twister”** _. (bolding mine) Oh… I know what _ **that** _ is! :smack: ‘Purple nurple’ :rolleyes: (Must be a ‘Yankee’ term.;)) Ignorance, successfully fought! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crown_Prince_of_Irony)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/43 "2012-01-09T19:51:49Z")
Wow, I didn’t expect this to generate so much feedback, so I didn’t check back in for a couple days. It’s not like we’re seeing an epidemic of :dubious: or anything - but before I’d posted this, I’d seen it in three separate threads in the span of fifteen minutes, accompanied only by “Cite?”. It really bugs me when folks do that - I feel that snark should be used sparingly, and not be the default response, if we all want to foster engaging and respectful discourse. What was I thinking? :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crown_Prince_of_Irony)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/44 "2012-01-09T19:54:09Z")
> [@Ruby](#): > > Sheesh, everyone knows that’s the blowjob smiley. 😉 I always imagine the bj represented as a series of smilies: :eek:⭕eek:⭕eek:⭕eek:…😛 ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/45 "2012-01-09T19:57:59Z")
\< **CPoI** , lucky I didn’t have anything in mouth you scoundrel…\> ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/46 "2012-01-09T20:01:04Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > The embarrassed smilie is the worst of all time. :o It just blows. I never bothered to do the hover-over. I always just assumed that was yawning. There are a lot of posts I’ve misconstrued over the years I guess. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/47 "2012-01-09T20:04:48Z")
> [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](#): > > Wow, I didn’t expect this to generate so much feedback, so I didn’t check back in for a couple days. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/48 "2012-01-09T20:20:27Z")
I love the dubious and the eek smileys, and you can pry them from my cold dead hands. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/49 "2012-01-09T20:25:37Z")
> [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](#): > > I always imagine the bj represented as a series of smilies: > > :eek:⭕eek:⭕eek:⭕eek:…😛 Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha! From _ **my** _ perspective, it’s usually looked like… ⭕o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:eek:… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/50 "2012-01-09T20:44:26Z")
> [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](#): > > I always imagine the bj represented as a series of smilies: > > :eek:⭕eek:⭕eek:⭕eek:…😛 🆒⭕)⭕confused::smack::mad::smack::mad::(:mad::mad: Thats how it usually worked out for me ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/51 "2012-01-10T02:32:51Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > But I agree that the dubious smiley represents exactly what this board should hold most dear. I’m going to disagree. If you (not you personally - anyone) doubt someone’s claim, you should just out and say so - clearly - not _imply_ it with a smiley, or say “Ooh, that _doesn’t pass the smell test_” or some such wibble. Demand a citation, even, but raising a virtual eyebrow is just _weak_. _That_ represents one of the things this board should hold dear - clarity of purpose, and the nerve to speak up. Say what you really mean, and clearly. Not that I have a dog in this fight any longer (I image-blocked all the smilies a while back, because I despise them all) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/52 "2012-01-10T02:37:38Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > If you (not you personally - anyone) doubt someone’s claim, you should just out and say so - clearly - not _imply_ it with a smiley, or say “Ooh, that _doesn’t pass the smell test_” or some such wibble. Demand a citation, even, but raising a virtual eyebrow is just _weak_. > > _That_ represents one of the things this board should hold dear - clarity of purpose, and the nerve to speak up. Say what you really mean, and clearly. > > Not that I have a dog in this fight any longer (I image-blocked all the smilies a while back, because I despise them all) An eyebrow is much more – or at the very least, no less – direct, clear, and explicit than most words are. Human communication has never been limited to verbal expression. It’s very clear what a raised eyebrow means and it’s not wishy-washy, weaselly, weak, or indirect. It might be slightly more sarcastic or hostile or confrontational than mere words, but that’s the opposite of weak. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/53 "2012-01-10T02:53:45Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I’m going to disagree. If you (not you personally - anyone) doubt someone’s claim, you should just out and say so - clearly - not _imply_ it with a smiley, or say “Ooh, that _doesn’t pass the smell test_” or some such wibble. Demand a citation, even, but raising a virtual eyebrow is just _weak_. > > _That_ represents one of the things this board should hold dear - clarity of purpose, and the nerve to speak up. Say what you really mean, and clearly. > > Not that I have a dog in this fight any longer (I image-blocked all the smilies a while back, because I despise them all) :dubious: Lighten up, Francis. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/54 "2012-01-10T05:31:54Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I’m going to disagree. If you (not you personally - anyone) doubt someone’s claim, you should just out and say so - clearly - not _imply_ it with a smiley, or say “Ooh, that _doesn’t pass the smell test_” or some such wibble. Demand a citation, even, but raising a virtual eyebrow is just _weak_. > > _That_ represents one of the things this board should hold dear - clarity of purpose, and the nerve to speak up. Say what you really mean, and clearly. I agree with this up to a point. In general, using any smiley as an intensifier or a pure expression of sentiment without any substantiation is weak. So I’m pretty dubious about the utility of Mr. Screwball and Mr. Yuk. But message board language tends towards the conversational, and occasionally the printed word can appear overly harsh. Smilies are best used as _softeners_. Consider the following: > [@Mangetout](#): > > (I image-blocked all the smilies a while back, because I despise them all) So you’ve basically confessed that you have unusual tastes and that we should ignore everything you say on this subject. I agree. or So you’ve basically confessed that you have unusual tastes and that we should ignore everything you say on this subject. :rolleyes: [That last one softened the obnoxiousness, right? Let’s try another.] So you’ve basically confessed that you have unusual tastes and that we should ignore everything you say on this subject. :dubious: ## Still obnoxious of course. But softened, perhaps further. It’s better to use smilies sparingly, but they can be labor-saving. And dubiousness implies that while there is an aspect of the argument that has some validity, its weaknesses outweigh its strengths. Rolley is more dismissive. While we’re on the subject, animated smilies should be avoided. And we should adopt a new smilie only if it on balance aids the fight against ignorance. Fun fact: Mr. Dubiousness raises his eyebrows so high, that it actually distorts the top of his head! And he purses his lips ponderously. Maybe I could label this guy “Small Grin” with the mouseover, and :😁: to invoke it: [http://wm55.inbox.com/thumbs/2c\_130b92\_3bbb2b38\_oG.gif.thumb](http://wm55.inbox.com/thumbs/2c_130b92_3bbb2b38_oG.gif.thumb) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/55 "2012-01-10T07:59:54Z")
I should probably clarify. I despise smilies (well, the dismissive/negative ones) when they’re used on their own without any words. I agree that they have some utility in tagging the tone of a written response (and mitigating the risk of the forum equivalent of ‘email disease’). What is weak is most cases where the response is nothing more than a rolleyes or dubious smiley. If you’re dubious, it helps to say why. If you just roll your eyes at me, you might as well go to your room. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/56 "2012-01-10T11:19:25Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I should probably clarify. I despise smilies (well, the dismissive/negative ones) when they’re used on their own without any words. > > I agree that they have some utility in tagging the tone of a written response (and mitigating the risk of the forum equivalent of ‘email disease’). What is weak is most cases where the response is nothing more than a rolleyes or dubious smiley. If you’re dubious, it helps to say why. _ **If you just roll your eyes at me, you might as well go to your room.** _ (bolding mine) That’s almost _ **exactly** _ what my Mom used to say to me! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crown_Prince_of_Irony)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/57 "2012-01-10T19:09:36Z")
After reading all the replies, I’d like to pose a question: Which response to the following assertion > [@Poster1](#): > > Most people hate ice cream. seems more civil to you? **Response 1:** :dubious: Cite? **Response 2:** :dubious: **Response 3:** Cite? **Response 4:** Can you provide any data to support this claim? I’d rather preserve civility at the expense of brevity - but that’s just me, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/58 "2012-01-10T19:16:26Z")
When you’re faced with _that_ egregious a claim, words are superfluous. I’m going with the bare eyebrow. ---
**Author:** ![Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crown_Prince_of_Irony)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/59 "2012-01-10T19:21:55Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > When you’re faced with _that_ egregious a claim, words are superfluous. I’m going with the bare eyebrow. Ok, I guess I deserved that, even though the question itself is immaterial. Let’s replace “ice cream” with “broccoli” then. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752/60 "2012-01-10T20:06:49Z")
> [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](#): > > Ok, I guess I deserved that, even though the question itself is immaterial. > > Let’s replace “ice cream” with “broccoli” then. The question or statement itself is NOT immaterial. Thats the whole point. Some statements ARE a load of baloney. I think anyone with half a brain knows the relative popularity of ice cream vs broccoli. If you say most people hate icecream or you (even though you have kids) have never experienced a leaky diaper IMO it most certainly does deserve a :dubious: Because IMO you are either full of shit, delusional, or outright lying to win your argument. And that IMO is a bunch of :dubious: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-rid-of-the-dubious-smiley/608752.md?page=4)