"Don't Gush" - what's the in joke?

[roger_thornhill]

Though a member since June last year, I noticed for the first time today the tagline under Comments on Cecil’s Columns on the home page. (Okay, something to do with the fact that I’ve just made that page my bookmarked page, having set it at GD for 15 months.)

Anyway, what’s the reference? Did Cecil do a response once to a question about women who gush?

Bust my ignorance!

[Anastasaeon]

I think it’s just being facetious.

gush
v. gushed, gush·ing, gush·es
v. intr.

1. To flow forth suddenly in great volume: water gushing from a hydrant.
2. To emit a sudden and abundant flow, as of tears.
3. To make an excessive display of sentiment or enthusiasm: gushed over the baby.

I think it’s referring to definition three. I don’t think it’s a specific reference to anything, it’s a phrase people have been saying for years, often sarcastically.

[roger_thornhill]

Yeah, well you see I was worried that it might be 2, but not from the eyes, and not tears.

[Anastasaeon]

@roger thornhill

Yeah, well you see I was worried that it might be 2, but not from the eyes, and not tears.

I* know * what you were thinking.

[sub]And you know, IME, men do the definition two more than women do. Not from the eyes, and not tears. Just sayin’. [/sub]

[roger_thornhill]

I just logged on again, and saw that the full phrase is “Please don’t gush”. The addition of the gratuitous please makes me more convinced than ever that there’s a deeper meaning here, only for the initiated. The old-timers at the SDMB, aka “Cecil”, will have their little jokes!

[Meaty_Beaty_Big_and_Bouncy]

@Anastasaeon

I* know * what you were thinking.

[sub]And you know, IME, men do the definition two more than women do. Not from the eyes, and not tears. Just sayin’. [/sub]

Wouldn’t that be number 1?

[Anastasaeon]

@Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy

Wouldn’t that be number 1?

Whoops. Yes.

[sub]I can’t count, either.[/sub]

[TellMeI_mNotCrazy]

@roger thornhill

I just logged on again, and saw that the full phrase is “Please don’t gush”. The addition of the gratuitous please makes me more convinced than ever that there’s a deeper meaning here, only for the initiated. The old-timers at the SDMB, aka “Cecil”, will have their little jokes!

Maybe you’ve never heard the phrase “Please don’t gush” but it’s a common enough one. Generally used to indicate a sense of false-modesty by assuming that any responses would be gushing, praising ones.

[roger_thornhill]

Could be, but self-modesty’s not a quality associated with the average doper. And SDMB’s not the kind of site that attracts or would appeal to gushing, self-effacing types. That’s why I’m convinced there’s an in joke in there somewhere.

[Larry_Mudd]

@roger thornhill

Could be, but self-modesty’s not a quality associated with the average doper. And SDMB’s not the kind of site that attracts or would appeal to gushing, self-effacing types. That’s why I’m convinced there’s an in joke in there somewhere.

The Cecil Adams brand identity is all about a tongue-in-cheek pedestal for Cecil.

He’s The World’s Smartest Human Being. Around here, he’s a Perfect Master.

The joke is the suggestion that without that guideline, the Comments on Cecil’s Columns forum would be cluttered up with fawning. People are much more likely to use the forum to ask for elaboration or even to contradict the Cecilian Word.

[roger_thornhill]

Thank you, Larry. So the power that be is getting his revenge in first, whooshing us before we can whoosh him? Brilliant! Worth an Ode to St Cecilian.