# George Zimmerman - In the news again **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 31, 2014, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480 "2014-07-31T13:26:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 43
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/841 "2015-01-14T23:18:38Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Which dictionary do you own, or which one(s) do you have access to? No, I’m asking which one is the official one. Or are they all official? In that case what happens if they say different things? My abridged dictionary has fewer pages than my unabridged dictionary. Which one is lying to me? > [@](#): > > Did you know what the term “computer” meant before your mom bought you one? Yes, I do. Did that meaning change before it was incorporated into dictionaries? Did it enter dictionaries at different times? If the Merriam-Webster dictionary had the new meaning and the Oxford dictionary had only the old meaning, which one was right? I have so many more questions. You are a brilliant poster. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/842 "2015-01-14T23:22:27Z")
> [@rogerbox](#): > > It really doesn’t matter to reality (which has a liberal bias) what YOU recall. > > [‘Joe The Plumber’ Describes His New Union Job, Contemplates The Meaning Of ‘Tea Bagger’ - TPM – Talking Points Memo](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/joe-the-plumber-wurzelbacher-union-job-chrysler) > > [Enough With The Whining! 'Teabaggers' Actually Introduced The Term They Now Claim Is A Slur | Crooks and Liars](http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/enough-whining-teabaggers-actually-i) > > [http://newsbusters.org/blogs/jeff-poor/2009/04/14/msnbc-place-low-brow-teabag-humor](http://newsbusters.org/blogs/jeff-poor/2009/04/14/msnbc-place-low-brow-teabag-humor) > > I can keep posting more links, just let me know. On the other message board I play around on teabagger will get you permanently banned, meanwhile all the protesters in Ferguson MO are thugs . . . and no one is confused about what that means. You might even be able to guess which Fox talking head’s board it is. Having a “dog whistle” is convenient, 'cause you can always deny you blew it. CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/843 "2015-01-14T23:33:01Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > No, I’m asking which one is the official one. Or are they all official? In that case what happens if they say different things? My abridged dictionary has fewer pages than my unabridged dictionary. Which one is lying to me? > > Yes, I do. Did that meaning change before it was incorporated into dictionaries? Did it enter dictionaries at different times? If the Merriam-Webster dictionary had the new meaning and the Oxford dictionary had only the old meaning, which one was right? > > I have so many more questions. You are a brilliant poster. If you really had a dictionary, you would know that the unabridged dictionary is thicker. How big is the gap between the floor and the table leg? Use the one that you think is the most appropriate. Good grief, it’s called the English language for a reason. :smack: The Oxford dictionary is the ring that rules them all. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/844 "2015-01-14T23:44:18Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > If you really had a dictionary, you would know that the unabridged dictionary is thicker. How big is the gap between the floor and the table leg? Use the one that you think is the most appropriate. > > Good grief, it’s called the English language for a reason. :smack: The Oxford dictionary is the ring that rules them all. :smack: Thank god for dictionaries! Before they existed, how did people even talk? Obviously there was no English language until [1604](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_Alphabeticall)! ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/845 "2015-01-14T23:48:30Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > If you really had a dictionary, you would know that the unabridged dictionary is thicker. {…} Preach it brother **doorhinge**! Don’t you know that all unabridged dictionaries are thicker than any regular dictionary! 😉 CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/846 "2015-01-14T23:49:24Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > > [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > > > My abridged dictionary has fewer pages than my unabridged dictionary. Which one is lying to me? > > If you really had a dictionary, you would know that the unabridged dictionary is thicker. I love your reading comprehension abilities. You are a wonderful poster. But answer my question–which one is correct? > [@doorhinge](#): > > Good grief, it’s called the English language for a reason. :smack: The Oxford dictionary is the ring that rules them all. :smack: So words mean only what they mean in the Oxford dictionary? This is good to know. I noticed the [following list](http://public.oed.com/the-oed-today/recent-updates-to-the-oed/december-2014-update/new-words-list-december-2014/) of words added to the Oxford dictionary in December. If I had used the word “unpause” in a sentence to you in November, would you have understood what I meant? ---
**Author:** ![rogerbox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@rogerbox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rogerbox)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/847 "2015-01-14T23:50:07Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > On the other message board I play around on teabagger will get you permanently banned, meanwhile all the protesters in Ferguson MO are thugs . . . and no one is confused about what that means. You might even be able to guess which Fox talking head’s board it is. > > Having a “dog whistle” is convenient, 'cause you can always deny you blew it. > > CMC fnord! I’m completely aware of what they’re doing. Sometimes it’s the dishonesty that bothers me more than the casual racism. I get offended more that you’re lying to me like I’m dumb and think I’m not aware of what you’re really saying or how you feel, than that you’re racist against me and my family. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/848 "2015-01-15T00:19:06Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > Preach it brother **doorhinge**! > > Don’t you know that all unabridged dictionaries are thicker than any regular dictionary! > > 😉 > CMC fnord! How many dictionaries are you familiar with. I have a 1.5" gap between the pool table and the floor. Can you recommend a dictionary with a really smrt looking cover. Something with a hard cover because the pool table is really heavy. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/849 "2015-01-15T00:30:56Z")
> [@rogerbox](#): > > {…} I get offended more that you’re lying to me like I’m dumb and think I’m not aware of what you’re really saying or how you feel, than that you’re racist against me and my family. \*Smiling faces sometimes pretend to be your friend, Smiling faces show no traces of the evil that lurks within, Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes, They don’t tell the truth, Smiling faces, smiling faces, Tell lies, and I got proof, Your enemy won’t do you no harm, Cause you’ll know where he’s coming from, Don’t let the handshake and the smile fool ya, Take my advice I’m only try’ to school ya\* [The Undisputed Truth - _Smiling Faces Sometimes_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CJZcVi5BA4) CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![camille](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/22d042/32.png) [@camille](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/camille)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/850 "2015-01-15T00:44:57Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I have a 1.5" gap between the pool table and the floor. Can you recommend a dictionary with a really smrt looking cover. Something with a hard cover because the pool table is really heavy. That’s a common problem for houses built under bridges. You need a firmer foundation to build on, my friend. Maybe you should consider moving elsewhere. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/851 "2015-01-15T00:47:32Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > I love your reading comprehension abilities. You are a wonderful poster. > > But answer my question–which one is correct? > > So words mean only what they mean in the Oxford dictionary? This is good to know. I noticed the [following list](http://public.oed.com/the-oed-today/recent-updates-to-the-oed/december-2014-update/new-words-list-december-2014/) of words added to the Oxford dictionary in December. If I had used the word “unpause” in a sentence to you in November, would you have understood what I meant? The one that spells unabridged correctly? The blue one? Oh my, so many questions of mine that you didn’t answer. Decisions, decisions. Which November are you referring to? 1953? Was there anything to “unpause” in 1953? The Korean un-war, perhaps? Words have lots-o-meanings. New words get invented on a semi-irregular basis. Old words get recycled and new meanings created. However, when you are attempting to communicate with another person, it helps if both parties understand what the other person is saying. Not just the pronunciation but the meaning of the words - as the other person is using them - or they really aren’t communicating with each other. People have the option of asking what a poster, or in the real world, a person, means when they say _thug_. You can assume they mean some racial slur. You can assume they are using a dictionary definition. You can even flog yourself and cover yourself in sackcloth and ashes because you feel better being a victim. OTOH, you could ask them what they meant. Or not. ---
**Author:** ![rogerbox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@rogerbox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rogerbox)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/852 "2015-01-15T00:54:57Z")
When someone only uses it for non-violent black people, clarification isn’t necessary. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/853 "2015-01-15T00:56:39Z")
> [@camille](#): > > That’s a common problem for houses built under bridges. You need a firmer foundation to build on, my friend. Maybe you should consider moving elsewhere. 🙂 Silly **camille**. You’re think of swimming pools. Those types of pool tables are often found under bridges. I’m talking about pool tables. Those are the types of tables you play billiards on. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/854 "2015-01-15T01:00:16Z")
> [@camille](#): > > That’s a common problem for houses built under bridges. You need a firmer foundation to build on, my friend. Maybe you should consider moving elsewhere. 🙂 And leave show-business? Or learn how to properly level a billiards table\*, and . . . mind you I’m just spit ballin’ here, . . . read the dictionary? \*It’s reallly easy! Built in to the table! And, if you have a 1.5" gap you’ve done none of it correctly! HEY, maybe a dictionary would make it easier to understand the instructions! CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/855 "2015-01-15T01:01:23Z")
> [@rogerbox](#): > > When someone **only** uses it for non-violent black people, clarification isn’t necessary. (Bold and underline added) Wow! You must work for the NSA. FBI? How do you know that someone **only** uses “it” for non-violent black people? You’re amazing. What am I thinking right now? I’ll give you a hint. It rhymes with _Have a nice day_. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/856 "2015-01-15T01:11:48Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > And leave show-business? > > Or learn how to properly level a billiards table\*, and . . . mind you I’m just spit ballin’ here, . . . read the dictionary? > \*It’s reallly easy! Built in to the table! And, if you have a 1.5" gap you’ve done none of it correctly! HEY, maybe a dictionary would make it easier to understand the instructions! > > CMC fnord! Which is it? “Built in to the table” or “done none of it correctly”? I’m counting on you to save the day, my newest, and bestest, internet buddy. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/857 "2015-01-15T01:21:50Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > [Quote=Evil Economist] > > [Quote=doorhinge] > > [Quote=Evil Economist] > > My abridged dictionary has fewer pages than my unabridged dictionary. Which one is lying to me? If you really had a dictionary, you would know that the unabridged dictionary is thicker. [/quote] I love your reading comprehension abilities. You are a wonderful poster. But answer my question–which one is correct? [/quote] The one that spells unabridged correctly? [/quote] I feel like you’re repeatedly failing an IQ test; it was funny at first but now you’ve failed too many times in a row and my laughter is turning to pity. To help you out of this mess I’ve quoted our entire exchange–take this opportunity to benefit yourself. > [@](#): > > Which November are you referring to? 1953? Was there anything to “unpause” in 1953? The Korean un-war, perhaps? You shouldn’t try to be ‘clever’, it doesn’t suit you. > [@](#): > > Words have lots-o-meanings. New words get invented on a semi-irregular basis. Old words get recycled and new meanings created. However, when you are attempting to communicate with another person, it helps if both parties understand what the other person is saying. Not just the pronunciation but the meaning of the words - as the other person is using them - or they really aren’t communicating with each other. > > People have the option of asking what a poster, or in the real world, a person, means when they say _thug_. You can assume they mean some racial slur. You can assume they are using a dictionary definition. You can even flog yourself and cover yourself in sackcloth and ashes because you feel better being a victim. OTOH, you could ask them what they meant. Or not. Yeah, I’m not going to be taking advice from you. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/858 "2015-01-15T01:43:53Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Which is it? “Built in to the table” or “done none of it correctly”? I’m counting on you to save the day, my newest, and bestest, internet buddy. 😃 The “levelers” are on the bottom of each leg, 4 in total. Start with all of them fully screwed in. You need at least two levels, the longest one that will sit on the slate both lengthwise and widthwise (ooh, not a word in Firefox 28.0’s spellchecker), don’t put the level on the rails! Adjust the leveling “screws” as needed, best to get the table roughly level in one direction first, then level in both directions. Fine tune if a billiard ball will not roll straight. If you have to use shims you bought a crap pool table. I only play on Brunswick table if I have a choice. TOOLS REQUIRED: A properly sized open-ended wrench or an adjustable one or the custom tool that may come with the table, two levels. TIME: For you? I can’t count that high. Need instructions on how to replace; the cloth, the rails, fill the joint in the slate, etc? And I didn’t use Google once! CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![OwnRules](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ea666f/32.png) [@OwnRules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OwnRules)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/859 "2015-01-15T04:53:20Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > …I’m obviously not racist, and I’m not dehumanising Davis in any way. Keep fucking that chicken if it helps you sleep at night. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480/860 "2015-01-15T04:57:30Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > If you have to use shims you bought a crap pool table. Well, you might have purchased a crap house. Leveled a Brunswick for a friend, and it turned out his flooring was…eccentric. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480.md?page=42) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-zimmerman-in-the-news-again/694480.md?page=44)