# DSYoungEsq, you supercillious toad...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [February 27, 2009, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657 "2009-02-27T14:02:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/41 "2009-02-27T17:35:15Z")

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> [@Frodo](#):
>
> Posters like \*\*DSYoungEsq \*\* who think that “civility” and “politeness” can be made a reality by law, remind me of people like Cato, Franco and such morons, thinking that morality can be fixed by fiat.
> 
> I think Cato, Franco, and those people are Cunts of the worst order, and send a heart fuck off!, to them.

The question here is whether you can call someone a cunt by proxy: “X [some offboard person] is a cunt, and you are like X.” The answer obviously is no. On the other hand, the Pit being what it is, it’s not like this is an insta-ban offense. We’ll just tell you to stop. If you keep it up, eventually you’ll get warned.

On a related subject, I realize as examples come up that mostly what I’m trying to get rid of is insults of a sexual or unusually graphic nature. Comments like “you ignorant asshole” and “you’re a bitch,” while a bit crude, don’t seem worth objecting to. “Fuck you, asshole,” on the other hand, will get you a note. Looking through the exchange above, I’d also have to say you shouldn’t call someone a dick. You can call them smarmy or supercilious or any of about fifty thousand other derogatory adjectives, though.

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**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/42 "2009-02-27T17:37:09Z")

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Are you claiming that “fuck you” is of a sexual nature? That’s not really how it generally works, etymology be damned; it’s just some fixed phrase. Same as how “Goddamnit” gets employed as a fixed phrase of exasperation with rarely so much as a moment’s thought as to the literal exhortation for the Lord to cast some object of ire down into eternal Hellfire.

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**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/43 "2009-02-27T17:40:33Z")

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Well, at least we get a little bit of clarification, however, i would like to know why “bitch” is not sexual and/or unusually graphic and “fuck you, asshole” is.

Its because bitch does not reference the human anatomy/sexuality?.

If so, would “you are shit” be permissible? or “shit” being related to human anatomy makes it off limits?.

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**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/44 "2009-02-27T17:42:06Z")

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It can’t just be because “asshole” references the human anatomy, as “you ignorant asshole” gets a pass.

Also, perhaps even moreso than with the phrase “fuck you”, calling someone a “dick” is generally not a declaration made with the connection to penises in mind. (And if calling someone an “asshole” is alright, what’s so terrible about calling them a “dick”?)

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**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/45 "2009-02-27T17:56:57Z")

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> [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](#):
>
> God almighty, I know. How’s it possible for his head to be inserted so far into the administration’s rectum?

Because it’s so small and pointy?

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**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/46 "2009-02-27T17:57:36Z")

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> [@Indistinguishable](#):
>
> It can’t just be because “asshole” references the human anatomy, as “you ignorant asshole” gets a pass.
> 
> Also, perhaps even moreso than with the phrase “fuck you”, calling someone a “dick” is generally not a declaration made with the connection to penises in mind. (And if calling someone an “asshole” is alright, what’s so terrible about calling them a “dick”?)

We obviously need to call some Talmudic scholars to parse this rules…

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**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/47 "2009-02-27T18:01:51Z")

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> [@Ed\_Zotti](#):
>
> On a related subject, I realize as examples come up that mostly what I’m trying to get rid of is insults of a sexual or unusually graphic nature.

There’s a surprise: **Ed** had no idea what his rule was supposed to be before he created it.

Of course, he considers, “Fuck you, asshole,” to be “sexual or unusually graphic,” so it’s also clear that he _still_ has no idea what his rule is, but for different reasons.

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**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/48 "2009-02-27T18:18:39Z")

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> [@Ed\_Zotti](#):
>
> Looking through the exchange above, I’d also have to say you shouldn’t call someone a dick

Wait. “Asshole” is ok and “dick” isn’t?

Honest to God **Ed** , I don’t understand what you’re getting at. I was pretty close to 100% certain that “dick” would be fine and if it’s not, then I simply don’t understand what want of us.

Please–I hope I’ve got a decent rep with the Mods/Admins–I’ve really only complained about maybe a half-dozen mod actions in like 9 years…help me understand.

Give a general guideline where “asshole” is ok and “dick” isn’t.

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**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/49 "2009-02-27T18:29:24Z")

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> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#):
>
> Too much coding, didn’t read.

Agreed.

Looked like a real tour de force, though. Maybe some rainy Sunday afternoon I’ll crack a beer and come back to it. It’s **Fenris** , after all, and that usually means “worthwhile”, to me.

Come to thnk of it, I’m going to just “favorite” the post, and give it a home right next to **DSYoungEsq** ’s discursion on “Faramir’s choice.” The irony pleases me.

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**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/50 "2009-02-27T18:34:14Z")

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> [@Ed\_Zotti](#):
>
> The question here is whether you can call someone a cunt by proxy: “X [some offboard person] is a cunt, and you are like X.” The answer obviously is no. On the other hand, the Pit being what it is, it’s not like this is an insta-ban offense. We’ll just tell you to stop. If you keep it up, eventually you’ll get warned.
> 
> On a related subject, I realize as examples come up that mostly what I’m trying to get rid of is insults of a sexual or unusually graphic nature. Comments like “you ignorant asshole” and “you’re a bitch,” while a bit crude, don’t seem worth objecting to. “Fuck you, asshole,” on the other hand, will get you a note. Looking through the exchange above, I’d also have to say you shouldn’t call someone a dick. You can call them smarmy or supercilious or any of about fifty thousand other derogatory adjectives, though.

Yeesh. I thought GD was the forum for sophistry, odd distinctions, and bad arguments in general. I guess the contagion spread.

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**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/51 "2009-02-27T18:42:34Z")

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> [@Fenris](#):
>
> **DSYoungEsq** [sup]1[/sup], there are a number of people who share your opinion that the new rules are fine and dandy, or that we should adopt a “wait and see” attitude, yet unlike you, they are able to do so with a modicum of respect for people who disagree with them and without coming across as a condescending, toadying, lickspittle.

Some people just can’t help themselves.

[QUOTE=Capt. Ridley’s Shooting Party]

God almighty, I know. How’s it possible for his head to be inserted so far into the administration’s rectum?  
[/QUOTE]  
Some people just can’t help themselves.

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**Author:** ![percypercy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8baadc/32.png) [@percypercy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/percypercy)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/52 "2009-02-27T18:49:33Z")

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So if dick is out, can I call someone penis?  
as in d\*head = penishead  
If asshole is ok, I don’t see why not.

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**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/53 "2009-02-27T18:52:08Z")

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> [@Fenris](#):
>
> Wait. “Asshole” is ok and “dick” isn’t?
> 
> Honest to God **Ed** , I don’t understand what you’re getting at. I was pretty close to 100% certain that “dick” would be fine and if it’s not, then I simply don’t understand what want of us.
> 
> Please–I hope I’ve got a decent rep with the Mods/Admins–I’ve really only complained about maybe a half-dozen mod actions in like 9 years…help me understand.
> 
> Give a general guideline where “asshole” is ok and “dick” isn’t.

I’m very surprised about “dick” being unacceptable. Anyone who has watched “The Daily Show” knows that it’s a common enough jibe on cable TV. If it’s okay with the FCC, why is it a problem here? “Dick” is not referring to anatomy; it’s become synonymous with “jerk” and is now a very tame epithet.

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/54 "2009-02-27T18:52:43Z")

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> [@Fenris](#):
>
> Wait. “Asshole” is ok and “dick” isn’t?

What about “schmuck”?

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**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/55 "2009-02-27T18:57:55Z")

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> [@Ed\_Zotti](#):
>
> I’d also have to say you shouldn’t call someone a dick.

Jesus Christ, grow a pair already. Do you get the vapors when you watch the Daily Show, where they had a recurring segment calling Cheney a dick? Stewart _regularly_ calls people dicks without any double-entendre at all. Just flat out: “He’s a dick.” And this is too rough for you?

Your vision of the pit is embarassingly pathetic.

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**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/56 "2009-02-27T19:00:37Z")

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> [@Frodo](#):
>
> Well, at least we get a little bit of clarification, however, i would like to know why “bitch” is not sexual and/or unusually graphic and “fuck you, asshole” is.
> 
> Its because bitch does not reference the human anatomy/sexuality?.
> 
> If so, would “you are shit” be permissible? or “shit” being related to human anatomy makes it off limits?.

A bitch is a female dog or an unpleasant woman. Lately it has taken on the connotation of submissive sexual partner; if that were clearly the intended meaning, we’d likely say something.

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**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/57 "2009-02-27T19:07:00Z")

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> [@Ed\_Zotti](#):
>
> A bitch is a female dog or an unpleasant woman. Lately it has taken on the connotation of submissive sexual partner; if that were clearly the intended meaning, we’d likely say something.

What about my second question? (calling someone “shit”)

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**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/58 "2009-02-27T19:10:07Z")

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> [@Ed\_Zotti](#):
>
> A bitch is a female dog or an unpleasant woman. Lately it has taken on the connotation of submissive sexual partner; if that were clearly the intended meaning, we’d likely say something.

Thank you for the answers so far. I have to say that it is not as simple to follow your logic as you might think it is. However every answer is helping us.

I still don’t understand the need for the change in tone in the Pit and I say that as someone that avoids the language you seem to be targeting.

Might I ask you why dick? It is pretty darn mild. I guess if I follow your logic that I could see a phrase like “go rotate on your own dick” qualifying as sexually offensive but just saying “John Doe Poster” is a dick does not appear to be the same.

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**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/59 "2009-02-27T19:12:09Z")

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What about something like “Quit dicking us around”?

In the past, I believe, it was the policy of the administration not to give specific lists of banned and tolerated words, but just to generally apply some reason and discretion to individual cases. And things worked quite well. But with these new rules, so much confusion clearly exists that we are practically forced to demand such lists… and each new entry is a surprise! Even if the intentions were noble, such ambiguity creates such an unfortunate chilling effect as to overwhelm any positive good which could otherwise come of this policy.

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**Author:** ![Digital\_Stimulus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Digital\_Stimulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_Stimulus)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dsyoungesq-you-supercillious-toad/487657/60 "2009-02-27T19:38:30Z")

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> [@Rand\_Rover](#):
>
> I always imagine Lynn as Jabba the Hut and DSYoungesq as the little laughing sycophant guy on a leash.

**snerk** Y’know, I agree with little of what you post, don’t care very much about the “new” Pit rules, and mostly think Star Wars is a heap of trash, but the above made me laugh out loud. Fine imagery – thank you.

If only you’d thrown in some gratuitous invective to push the bounds of the “new” rules…it might’ve qualified as a “teaching moment” also. 🙂

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