# Hi Opal! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 13, 2003, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924 "2003-02-13T21:36:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Atreyu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@Atreyu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atreyu)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/41 "2003-02-14T00:15:24Z")
1. I’ve used it at least once. 2. It has never bothered me to see others use it. 3. When Opal come back, bring pie. ---
**Author:** ![Redboss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8baadc/32.png) [@Redboss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Redboss)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/42 "2003-02-14T01:17:42Z")
…as I also do 1. OG 2. Gaudere’s Law 3. DORRANCE #5 STAINLESS STEEL HOOKS!! Please let me have the illusion of “belonging” somewhere… Redboss ---
**Author:** ![d\_redguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@d\_redguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/d_redguy)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/43 "2003-02-14T01:27:28Z")
1. Quite possibly the SDMB’s most recognizable [meme](http://info.astrian.net/jargon/terms/m/meme.html). My gosh, let us have it. It does not make us a community by itself, but it does help to set us apart from other message boards. It is a **part** of the SDMB experience. I agree that some “catchphrases” can be overused. Abused, even. But such vitriol for two little words! Whassamatta, **UncleBeer**? You feelin’ ok? 2. I also have to say that this: > [@](#): > > Q: How do you do Hi Opal? Can someone explain what this means to me? > must be my poor english? > > A: Your English is excellent. No one does a “Hi (hello) Opal” unless one > knows a person named Opal. is **damn** funny. 1. This is an actual list. I have something to say after this. 2. Oh, wait. No I don’t. ---
**Author:** ![peepthis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9d8465/32.png) [@peepthis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peepthis)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/44 "2003-02-14T02:07:10Z")
While we’re cleaning house, please take OG SMASH and Pie to the curb when the trashman cometh. Pretty please? ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/45 "2003-02-14T02:09:39Z")
I had to use it [one last time](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&postid=2964357#post2964357). Forgive me. ---
**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:** [February 14, 2003, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/46 "2003-02-14T02:17:01Z")
Unc is OK. Remember, children, he has to read every damn post in his forum. He’s got a right to be testy. And he’s probably armed so step lightly. And those of us who know Opal in person get a pass on being berated for it. I have spoken. ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/47 "2003-02-14T02:23:24Z")
If we get rid of \*\*Hi Opal!\*\*™, then the terrorists have already won.© Won’t somebody _please_ think of the children?!?! ---
**Author:** ![FranticMad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c68b51/32.png) [@FranticMad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FranticMad)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/48 "2003-02-14T02:46:44Z")
Other boards have irritating in jokes that no one finds funny, but keep popping up like polyps in a colon In Soviet Russia, Opal says Hi to YOU. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_The\_Diver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Buck\_The\_Diver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_The_Diver)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/49 "2003-02-14T02:57:08Z")
(1) Gotcha ya! (2) Fucko off! (3) Hi Opal Hmmmm…first time I ever used it. Eh. ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/50 "2003-02-14T03:01:36Z")
There are two reasons I agree with you… Well maybe a third… ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/51 "2003-02-14T03:02:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FranticMad \* > **Other boards have irritating in jokes that no one finds funny, but keep popping up like polyps in a colon** Sorry, don’t belivee you Potsy. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/52 "2003-02-14T03:31:29Z")
1.) Pak 2.) Chooie 3.) Unf ---
**Author:** ![Hank\_Fescue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/49beb7/32.png) [@Hank\_Fescue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hank_Fescue)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/53 "2003-02-14T03:44:53Z")
1. Who 2. The 3. Hell 4. is 5. Opal ---
**Author:** ![Sassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassy)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/54 "2003-02-14T04:12:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Redboss \* > \*\*…as I also do > > 1. OG > 2. Gaudere’s Law > 3. DORRANCE #5 STAINLESS STEEL HOOKS!! > Please let me have the illusion of “belonging” somewhere… > Redboss \*\* Hi Redboss ! Good to see you around;) ---
**Author:** ![Truth\_Seeker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5fc32e/32.png) [@Truth\_Seeker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truth_Seeker)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/55 "2003-02-14T04:14:07Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Tygr \* \*\*[ol] [li]Wondering[/li][li]what[/li][li]she thinks of all this…[/ol] \*\*[/li][/QUOTE] Haiku Opal? ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/56 "2003-02-14T04:19:58Z")
Just tell me, what is the correct usage: 1. Hi Opal 2. Hi, Opal 3. Hi, Opal! ---
**Author:** ![Protesilaus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Protesilaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Protesilaus)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/57 "2003-02-14T04:32:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Wearia \* > **Just remember guys, doper inside jokes are like the hydra.** [That one](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?postid=1148240#post1148240) never caught on, actually. I kind of hoped it would, but hey, what can you do? ---
**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/58 "2003-02-14T05:51:16Z")
It’s not funny, ItShut up! ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/59 "2003-02-14T06:20:48Z")
Let’s replace it with: **Women of the 1980s will have robots to help them say “Hi Opal”.** I know that **UncleBeer** likes [that one.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&postid=2814415#post2814415) ---
**Author:** ![Drastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Drastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drastic)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924/60 "2003-02-14T06:42:02Z")
Hi Opal! is a good display of natural selection in the catchphrase family of memes. Every day on these boards, hundreds or thousands of hopeful little catchphrase babies hatch out of their eggs and begin a blind wiggling crawl towards the ocean of community. The seagulls of forgetfulness crowd over the beach during the hatchings, and swoop and feast freely. Of those thousands of hatchlings, with those tiny flippered feet and shells yet to harden, only a minority will reach the ocean of community memory. Many there will meet a crueler fate than their ill-fated brothers who were merely swallowed by the forgetful seagulls; they are absorbed by the fishes of mockery and scorn, incorporated into their structure. But some few will escape both these fates, grow strong and have many offspring and kinds. Here is the albino spotted Hopal, which can exist as any item in a list. There is the long-tailed fluted Hopal, which perishes when not the third and last. And mingling freely with the Whecobripies is the striped miniature giant hopal, which can only exist in symbiotic colonies with other species in the catchphrase family. See them scatter before the predators; some fall, but the memes live on and are expressed anew. Nature is truly beautiful. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-opal/154924.md?page=4)