# Explain please. **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [May 17, 2017, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875 "2017-05-17T22:22:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**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:** [May 18, 2017, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/61 "2017-05-18T19:47:52Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > What do you mean by the term?šŸ˜• Iā€™m not going to hijack this thread. You can go back to the thread where you were ā€œjust having funā€ to see what I meant. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/62 "2017-05-18T19:52:29Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Iā€™m not going to hijack this thread. You can go back to the thread where you were ā€œjust having funā€ to see what I meant. Totally fair, youā€™re right, no hijack. Hereā€™s a poll: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=826549](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=826549) ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/63 "2017-05-18T19:55:40Z")
ā€œI can explain it to you, but I canā€™t comprehend it for you.ā€ ā€“ Ed Koch ---
**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:** [May 18, 2017, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/64 "2017-05-18T19:59:28Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Might I simply opine that saying that in the first place, rather than just shutting **BigT** down with a _We can do what we want, as you agreed when you signed up here_ is a better way of handling things. As I said in my post. Which was, contrary to assertions thereafter, quite accurate as to what **Colibri** said, certainly in essence. **BigT** told **Jonathan Chance** : > [@](#): > > If you hate this board and its rules so much, resign. I donā€™t blame the mods for returning attitude with attitude. A politer post might have been met with a politer reply. ---
**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:** [May 18, 2017, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/65 "2017-05-18T20:06:46Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > What do you mean by the term?šŸ˜• Spock defines impeachment: ā€œImpeachment is a little tweeting bird chirping in a meadow. Impeachment is a wreath of pretty flowers which smell BAD. Are you sure your circuits are registering correctly? Your ears are green.ā€ ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/66 "2017-05-18T20:11:15Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > So letā€™s take a hypothetical, and Iā€™ll raise one from this thread itself which is apposite: Suppose someone complains about **kayaker** having for the umpteenth time raised objection to the use of ā€œliterallyā€ to as an intensifier, ignoring the true meaning of the word. The usual fight breaks out (as indeed happened here in slapstick fashion). The moderator who gets the complaint looks around, finds five posts where **kayaker** has raised this issue and proceeds to warn **kayaker** that ā€œthe next time you use the word ā€˜literallyā€™ in a post we will ban you.ā€ Oh my. I just did a search and found there have been 32 threads Iā€™ve participated in where Iā€™ve used the word ā€œliterallyā€. I spot checked 12 of those threads (the twelve shortest threads) and found my use of the word always in the traditional sense. But, thanks for introducing me to ā€œappositeā€, Iā€™ve been over using ā€œgermaneā€. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/67 "2017-05-18T20:29:01Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Indeed. > > We have received multiple reports about the whole ā€˜definition of impeachmentā€™ thing appearing in multiple threads. I acted to prevent another thread disruption and to prevent future such disruptions. I accept your note on this issue, and will refrain from disrupting future threads. May I link to my poll if confusion comes up in other threads? ---
**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:** [May 18, 2017, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/68 "2017-05-18T20:36:11Z")
> [@fenris](#): > > spock defines impeachment: ā€œimpeachment is a little tweeting bird chirping in a meadow. Impeachment is a wreath of pretty flowers which smell bad. Are you sure your circuits are registering correctly? Your ears are green.ā€ lSWYDT šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/69 "2017-05-18T21:11:33Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I accept your note on this issue, and will refrain from disrupting future threads. > > May I link to my poll if confusion comes up in other threads? You know, Iā€™m going to say ā€˜noā€™ on that. It would introduce the possibility of a definition-discussion hijack. Be content with your poll. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/70 "2017-05-18T21:28:05Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Colibriā€™s second rule: In any ATMB thread in which more than two mods post, we will be accused of ā€œcircling the wagons.ā€šŸ™‚ Iā€™m sure you guys duke it out in your ā€œloopā€, but keep in mind we donā€™t see that. I donā€™t recall ever seeing two mods disagree in an ATMB thread, but maybe I missed when it happens. Still, Iā€™d bet good money it is extremely rare, if it happens at all. And maybe you guys have a good reason for not arguing in public, but can you not see why that might look like circle the wagons to folks here? ---
**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:** [May 18, 2017, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/71 "2017-05-18T23:36:38Z")
At one point, at least, (circa 2002-ish) Zotti had a ā€œMods never EVER disagree in publicā€ policy (and I believe it was ā€œdisagreeā€ not ā€œfightā€). Someone (JillGat?) and Melin got into it and IIRC itā€™s part of the reason Melin was fired as a mod (not remotely the whole reason) and Iā€™m pretty sure Dex and Euty got burned by that rule as well. So, if that rule still exists, that would A) be a stupid rule which would be B) par for the course of silly rules that really donā€™t need to exist and C) would explain why we donā€™t ever see mod disagreements in ATMB. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/72 "2017-05-19T00:17:40Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I donā€™t recall ever seeing two mods disagree in an ATMB thread, but maybe I missed when it happens. I depends on what youā€™d define as ā€œdisagreeingā€. 1. I mod noted **Miller** twice, although neither happened in ATMB. 2. **Ivory** disagrees with the action a mod took in an ATMB [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=20176582&postcount=2), just a week or two ago. Does that count as ā€œdisagreeingā€ (IMO, it should)? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/73 "2017-05-19T00:32:44Z")
Without getting into sordid details, we really just express our opinions without a whole lot back channel conversations. Of course mods of the same forum will discuss something and bigger or contentious issues will make it to the loop. But a lot what you see in ATMB is just our own opinions. Itā€™s not entirely surprising that people who want to be mods and are faced with similar decisions to make See things basically similarly. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2017, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/74 "2017-05-19T00:36:25Z")
Ever consider the reason Mods donā€™t like what youā€™re doing is because youā€™re being obsessive and annoying? ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/75 "2017-05-19T02:29:30Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > What do you mean by the term?šŸ˜• It depends what you mean by the term ā€œmeanā€. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/76 "2017-05-19T10:39:59Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Be content with your poll. ā€œViagra stock plummets after message-board misunderstanding.ā€ ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/77 "2017-05-19T11:10:01Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > I depends on what youā€™d define as ā€œdisagreeingā€. > > 1. I mod noted **Miller** twice, although neither happened in ATMB. Not the same. Weā€™re talking about discussions in ATMB > [@](#): > > 1. **Ivory** disagrees with the action a mod took in an ATMB [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=20176582&postcount=2), just a week or two ago. Does that count as ā€œdisagreeingā€ (IMO, it should)? But the mod who gave the warning agreed to review it and did rescind it. Iā€™m not seeing a disagreement. What I would be looking is some sort of back-and-forth argument about the rules. Like I said, I can see why you guys wouldnā€™t want to do that, but it does lead to a perception of ā€œcircle the wagonsā€. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2017, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/78 "2017-05-19T15:03:03Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Cā€™mon. ā€œLiterallyā€ has two meanings, the one that means ā€œnot metaphorically,ā€ and the one that works as an intensifier. Not in _MY_ vocabulary. > [@John\_Mace](#): > > I literally never use it as an intensifier. Iā€™m pretty sure the only time I use it that it _doesnā€™t_ mean ā€œnot metaphoricallyā€ is when Iā€™m doing a bad imitation of Chris Traeger (the character played by Rob Lowe in _Parks and Recreation_). In fact, that might be the only way I do use it (I try to stay away from absolutes, with the caveat that I will indulge myself when one is justified). ---
**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:** [May 19, 2017, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/79 "2017-05-19T15:07:33Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > So, then you seem to agree with me. "_1. Bringing Bricker into this is not best practices. This is a mod note to not do anything similar in the future."_ There was nothing wrong with mentioning Bricker in this context. In no way was this a shot at Bricker. That strikes me as a difficult conclusion for an observer to reach, especially given your history of demonstrating disdain for an insistence on using the word correctly. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2017, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875/80 "2017-05-19T15:13:30Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > My personal rule is that when a poster starts a response with ā€œsoā€ and then follows with some conclusion or interpretation itā€™s almost always not an accurate summation. I donā€™t know what I would name this rule, but thereā€™s got to be something clever sounding. \* ā€œBoneā€™s ā€˜so Iā€™m wrongā€™ ruleā€?\* > [@DrDeth](#): > > So then > **Jonathan HAS made a new rule that you cant mention another poster until they actually post in that specific thread.** > [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Nope- there have been other times that posts dragging other posters into unrelated threads has been moderated. When it appears itā€™s being used to stalk, or to jab at someone not participating, or to bait someone, people have been modded and warned for doing that. > > You may argue that your usage doesnā€™t fall into those circumstances, and thatā€™s fine, but it is hardly a new ā€œruleā€. Hey **Bone** , your ā€œruleā€ _works!_ šŸ˜ƒ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-please/786875.md?page=5)