# Hey Polly Prissypants, fuck off back to your side of the property line.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [January 12, 2015, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626 "2015-01-12T15:17:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/21 "2015-01-12T16:56:19Z")

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> [@Chefguy](#):
>
> What difference does it make whether or not it could be heard? No, neighbors have no such right, nor do you, nor do I.

Have to disagree. There’s a difference between having a conversation using any language and tone you like that’s inaudible at the borders of your property, using “disliked” language loudly enough to be heard well into public space and other property and using offensive language loudly enough to hear whether the listener wants to tune it out or not. The last is often illegal under “disturbing the peace” statutes regardless of the words used.

I’ve had neighbors who would scream some of the filthiest language I can think of - and I can think very deeply on the topic, and have been known to leave scorch marks here and there - at kids, dogs, passing cars, tools that had just nipped a chunk out of them, cars that wouldn’t start etc. It’s disturbing on many levels, the moreso if you have younger children in earshot.

I defend to the death the related free speech rights, but more than once it led me to thinking about my second amendment rights as applied to varmint extinction, specifically the eradication of the foul-mouthed fucking idiot.

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**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/22 "2015-01-12T16:58:57Z")

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> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#):
>
> Neighbors have a right not to listen to you scorch paint and set the lawn afire because you dropped a tool or cut your finger.

BS.

Its a well know subsection of the man code that should anything break or any body part be hurt that any utterance up to an including “fuck Allah with a ham sammich” is perfectly acceptable in the heat of the moment.

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**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/23 "2015-01-12T16:59:30Z")

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> [@FuriousGeorge](#):
>
> Polly Prissypants is a dude, but yeah, what he said.

Okay, I’ve tried to bring this to ya, but you persist in reinforcing the image that you are a loudmouthed, foulmouthed asshole, proud of it, and t’aint no one who can tell youse different.

Bet a poll of your neighborhood would have a plurality on who’s the street asshole.

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**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/24 "2015-01-12T17:01:03Z")

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Seriously? Ok so I had my truck… the one with lift kit just installed… idling in the driveway. I was trying to figure out if I really NEEDED a muffler or whatever. So I cranked up Skynyrd as loud as my 2000 dollar stereo would allow and kicked up the bass to see if that drowned out the noise of the muffler. No such luck.

While climbing out, I smacked my arm on the gun rack and spilled my Coors Light, then I brushed my head against the cab ymessing up my sweet 'do. Climbing out I grabbed a megaphone and ran up and down the block of the neighborhood screaing “Fuckity fuck fuck fuck” at the top of my lungs while squeezing off a few rounds from my AR-15.

My dear sweet neighbor sent me, by post, and invitation for muffins and tea to discuss the regrettable nature of my words. I drove my truck over his lawn, took a shit on his porch and told him to shove his muffins. I then went back and cracked another Coors Light and waited for the police. I slipped the deputy a Grant and all was forgotten.

Seriously, people. I was in my driveway loading luggae into my wife’s car and said the word “fuck”. The neighbor ran from his porch to my driveway to berate me for cursing. When he got no where with that approach, he called the cops who then laughed at him. That’s the story. That’s the context.

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**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/25 "2015-01-12T17:02:59Z")

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Several years ago, I had a neighbor ask me to watch my language while I was putting up some shelves in the garage. In his defense, his five year old _did_ ask what an goddamned mother fucking piece of shit was.

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**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/26 "2015-01-12T17:07:57Z")

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> [@FuriousGeorge](#):
>
> Seriously, people. I was in my driveway loading luggae into my wife’s car and said the word “fuck”. The neighbor ran from his porch to my driveway to berate me for cursing. When he got no where with that approach, he called the cops who then laughed at him. That’s the story. That’s the context.

Okay. Why was that so hard to pull out of your “I can yell cocksucking pigfucker as loud as I want at two in the morning” defense?

I agree. I do think there’s a line between appropriate and inappropriate, and the rabid internet 1stAmmers disagree, but cussing at something in your driveway shouldn’t provoke either level of PP’s response.

Would you have laughed and/or gotten the point if he’d just called, “Hey, there’s delicate ears over here” - something I’ve both done and had said to me, in all good humor?

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**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/27 "2015-01-12T17:12:33Z")

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> [@FuriousGeorge](#):
>
> Seriously? Ok so I had my truck… the one with lift kit just installed… idling in the driveway. I was trying to figure out if I really NEEDED a muffler or whatever. So I cranked up Skynyrd as loud as my 2000 dollar stereo would allow and kicked up the bass to see if that drowned out the noise of the muffler. No such luck.
> 
> While climbing out, I smacked my arm on the gun rack and spilled my Coors Light, then I brushed my head against the cab ymessing up my sweet 'do. Climbing out I grabbed a megaphone and ran up and down the block of the neighborhood screaing “Fuckity fuck fuck fuck” at the top of my lungs while squeezing off a few rounds from my AR-15.
> 
> My dear sweet neighbor sent me, by post, and invitation for muffins and tea to discuss the regrettable nature of my words. I drove my truck over his lawn, took a shit on his porch and told him to shove his muffins. I then went back and cracked another Coors Light and waited for the police. I slipped the deputy a Grant and all was forgotten.

I believe this.

> [@](#):
>
> Seriously, people. I was in my driveway loading luggae into my wife’s car and said the word “fuck”. The neighbor ran from his porch to my driveway to berate me for cursing. When he got no where with that approach, he called the cops who then laughed at him. That’s the story. That’s the context.

I don’t believe this.

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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:** [January 12, 2015, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/28 "2015-01-12T17:20:10Z")

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> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#):
>
> Have to disagree. There’s a difference between having a conversation using any language and tone you like that’s inaudible at the borders of your property, using “disliked” language loudly enough to be heard well into public space and other property and using offensive language loudly enough to hear whether the listener wants to tune it out or not. The last is often illegal under “disturbing the peace” statutes regardless of the words used.
> 
> I’ve had neighbors who would scream some of the filthiest language I can think of - and I can think very deeply on the topic, and have been known to leave scorch marks here and there - at kids, dogs, passing cars, tools that had just nipped a chunk out of them, cars that wouldn’t start etc. It’s disturbing on many levels, the moreso if you have younger children in earshot.
> 
> I defend to the death the related free speech rights, but more than once it led me to thinking about my second amendment rights as applied to varmint extinction, specifically the eradication of the foul-mouthed fucking idiot.

Screaming and talking are not the same thing, obviously. Disliking the way someone talks doesn’t rise to the level of police action or a violation of one’s rights. I don’t like listening to loudmouths in restaurants, where cursing seems to be common these days (it’s far worse in a pub), but taking action is just asking for problems, and I leave it up to the manager to curb boorish behavior.

I don’t have a clue as to how I would be able to modulate my voice so that it becomes inaudible at my property line; that’s just a goofy notion. I do filter my language in places like restaurants, etc., because it seems like the polite thing to do, and if someone happens to be passing by with a child when I drop the garbage can on my foot at home, I’ll likely apologize for the sake of the child. But neighbors are just going to have to live with the occasional expletive that escapes me when something goes sideways.

ETA: just read your response to the OP’s comment. All good.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/29 "2015-01-12T17:23:23Z")

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> [@FuriousGeorge](#):
>
> Seriously? Ok so I had my truck… the one with lift kit just installed… idling in the driveway. I was trying to figure out if I really NEEDED a muffler or whatever. So I cranked up Skynyrd as loud as my 2000 dollar stereo would allow and kicked up the bass to see if that drowned out the noise of the muffler. No such luck.
> 
> While climbing out, I smacked my arm on the gun rack and spilled my Coors Light, then I brushed my head against the cab ymessing up my sweet 'do. Climbing out I grabbed a megaphone and ran up and down the block of the neighborhood screaing “Fuckity fuck fuck fuck” at the top of my lungs while squeezing off a few rounds from my AR-15.
> 
> My dear sweet neighbor sent me, by post, and invitation for muffins and tea to discuss the regrettable nature of my words. I drove my truck over his lawn, took a shit on his porch and told him to shove his muffins. I then went back and cracked another Coors Light and waited for the police. I slipped the deputy a Grant and all was forgotten.

See, you should have explained all this in your OP.

😃

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/30 "2015-01-12T17:24:13Z")

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I was willing to cut the OP some slack, until he mentioned his fondness for Coors Light. That alone is worth calling the cops on him.

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**Author:** ![TheChileanBlob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thechileanblob/32/435_2.png) [@TheChileanBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheChileanBlob)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/31 "2015-01-12T17:25:11Z")

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> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#):
>
> Maybe some context for your usage of the Queen Mother of all Dirty Words would help us decide who’s overreacting here.

I’m pretty sure the Queen Mother of all Dirty Words starts with a C.

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**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/32 "2015-01-12T17:45:39Z")

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I thought it began with the word “mother.”

Anyway, tell him you weren’t talking TO him, [so it’s good](http://www.poconorecord.com/article/20071214/News/71214011). Hell, you may even [get paid](http://blogs.app.com/saywhat/2008/10/24/city-pays-19000-to-woman-who-cursed-at-toilet/).

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jimbuff314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c57346/32.png) [@jimbuff314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbuff314)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/33 "2015-01-12T17:46:09Z")

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_Loved_ post #24. Fuck that fucked-up monkey, I know who my favorite primate, name of **\_uriousGeorge** is. Man, that “Gladys Kravitz” reference takes me back.

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**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/34 "2015-01-12T17:55:12Z")

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> [@TheChileanBlob](#):
>
> I’m pretty sure the Queen Mother of all Dirty Words starts with a C.

Coors Light? **El\_Kabong** already pointed that out.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/35 "2015-01-12T18:05:44Z")

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> [@TheChileanBlob](#):
>
> I’m pretty sure the Queen Mother of all Dirty Words starts with a C.

[http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCAQtwIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Ddgx1sSfriIA&ei=ywy0VO\_XEcyZyAT5koKgBw&usg=AFQjCNE4VWjEc6wbgE4PX5qjViDrrZlnug&sig2=3yWR6zsZHUT0GKN0q2RefQ](http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCAQtwIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Ddgx1sSfriIA&ei=ywy0VO_XEcyZyAT5koKgBw&usg=AFQjCNE4VWjEc6wbgE4PX5qjViDrrZlnug&sig2=3yWR6zsZHUT0GKN0q2RefQ)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/36 "2015-01-12T18:09:27Z")

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> [@FuriousGeorge](#):
>
> That’s cuz you smell like a dead dog’s asshole and have the disposition of Gladys Kravitz with period cramps.

Oh, _snap_!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/37 "2015-01-12T19:02:58Z")

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> [@FuriousGeorge](#):
>
> Seriously? Ok so I had my truck… the one with lift kit just installed… idling in the driveway. I was trying to figure out if I really NEEDED a muffler or whatever. So I cranked up Skynyrd as loud as my 2000 dollar stereo would allow and kicked up the bass to see if that drowned out the noise of the muffler. No such luck.
> 
> While climbing out, I smacked my arm on the gun rack and spilled my Coors Light, then I brushed my head against the cab ymessing up my sweet 'do. Climbing out I grabbed a megaphone and ran up and down the block of the neighborhood screaing “Fuckity fuck fuck fuck” at the top of my lungs while squeezing off a few rounds from my AR-15.
> 
> My dear sweet neighbor sent me, by post, and invitation for muffins and tea to discuss the regrettable nature of my words. I drove my truck over his lawn, took a shit on his porch and told him to shove his muffins. I then went back and cracked another Coors Light and waited for the police. I slipped the deputy a Grant and all was forgotten.
> 
> Seriously, people. I was in my driveway loading luggae into my wife’s car and said the word “fuck”. The neighbor ran from his porch to my driveway to berate me for cursing. When he got no where with that approach, he called the cops who then laughed at him. That’s the story. That’s the context.

I was leaning toward the “polly was probably justified” side until I read this. But anyone this funny must be pretty cool. Bravo, sir!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/38 "2015-01-12T21:37:28Z")

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> [@FuriousGeorge](#):
>
> I was in my driveway loading luggae into my wife’s car and said the word “fuck”. The neighbor ran from his porch to my driveway to berate me for cursing. When he got no where with that approach, he called the cops who then laughed at him. That’s the story. That’s the context.

Well at least he was man enough to tell you to your face, instead of being a prissy pants and getting online and whining about it like a little bitch!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/39 "2015-01-13T00:27:57Z")

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> [@Mollie\_Magill](#):
>
> Several years ago, I had a neighbor ask me to watch my language while I was putting up some shelves in the garage. In his defense, his five year old _did_ ask what an goddamned mother fucking piece of shit was.

I’m surprised the kid didn’t ask about how you use indefinite articles, too. 😉

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-polly-prissypants-fuck-off-back-to-your-side-of-the-property-line/709626/40 "2015-01-13T00:53:52Z")

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> [@Omar\_Little](#):
>
> Well at least he was man enough to tell you to your face, instead of being a prissy pants and getting online and whining about it like a little bitch!

I’m confused why you think this is binary.

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