# I pit over-the-top Anti-Trump hysteria **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [August 5, 2025, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735 "2025-08-05T18:11:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 110
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2368 "2026-07-20T17:02:40Z")
Dude … Whatever … 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2369 "2026-07-20T17:28:02Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Let us say that I don’t simply disagree that the use of the word hysteria is offensive. Let’s say that I declare that the word is not offensive. And I state that this standard applies to everyone. You are still failing to grasp the key point that **whether or not the word “hysteria” is considered offensive as a specifically _gendered_ insult, there is no question that calling somebody’s concerns “hysteria” IS an insult.** Similarly, if I tell you that you’re being a dick, it might be debatable whether the word “dick” counts as an offensively anti-male slur because of being intrinsically male-gendered, or whatever. But whatever one’s views on that particular gendered-language interpretation of the word, it’s indisputable that telling you you’re being a dick counts as insulting you. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2370 "2026-07-20T18:13:33Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Does this alternative point of view explain how I see the situation? Yes, it explains that you think that your opinion is more important than anyone else’s, and you don’t give a shit if you offend anyone, so you’ll say whatever the fuck you want. Which is fine. But then don’t bitch and whine at the blowback. Just accept it. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2371 "2026-07-20T18:15:22Z")
Is the derangement part, of the oft used Trump Derangement Syndrome acceptable? Or does it fall into this category as well? I’m curious now. I could go either way. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2372 "2026-07-20T18:30:41Z")
Trump is destroying the United States of America. And we are debating about the use of the word hysteria? Seriously? Step back please, and look at what is going on. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2373 "2026-07-20T22:42:31Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > > > Let us say that I don’t simply disagree that the use of the word hysteria is offensive. Let’s say that I declare that the word is not offensive. And I state that this standard applies to everyone. > > You are still failing to grasp the key point that **whether or not the word “hysteria” is considered offensive as a specifically _gendered_ insult, there is no question that calling somebody’s concerns “hysteria” IS an insult.** So you believe that when you and I disagree on whether a word is offensive, I should accept that your opinion is objectively right and my opinion is objectively wrong. I think you failed to grasp the point of my hypothetical. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2374 "2026-07-20T22:46:34Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Yes, it explains that you think that your opinion is more important than anyone else’s, and you don’t give a shit if you offend anyone, so you’ll say whatever the fuck you want. No, I think my opinion is equal to anyone else’s. So I don’t have to blindly accept another person’s opinion on an issue like this. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2375 "2026-07-20T22:55:28Z")
No, just replace hysterical with irrational. Is irrational offensive? Is calling someone irrational insulting? There ya go. Solved it for you. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2376 "2026-07-20T23:29:40Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > So you believe that when you and I disagree on whether a word is offensive, I should accept that your opinion is objectively right and my opinion is objectively wrong. No, that’s not what I said at all. As I clearly stated, I’m entirely leaving aside the question of whether the word “hysteria” is automatically offensive/sexist **by virtue of its gender associations**. There can be different opinions about that. What I’m trying to get at here is whether you understand the basic fact that **it’s insulting to describe somebody’s considered opinion as “hysteria”** —i.e., as an _irrational, emotion-driven overreaction_— **IRRESPECTIVE of whether or not the word itself is regarded as an intrinsically female-coded misogynistic slur.** [ETA: as @steronz more efficiently explained above.] Like I said, it’s analogous to being able to disagree about whether the epithet “dick” is an intrinsically male-coded misandrist slur, while still recognizing that calling somebody a “dick” is an insult. If you aren’t grasping even that basic semantic distinction, then…wow. Either you must be trolling, which at this point is the explanation I’m leaning towards, or maybe you just **are** that dumb. Or are you simply pulling a Humpty Dumpty-style sealion “thought experiment” here, where you postulate that even standard common-usage meanings of words can’t be applied to your usage of them unless you explicitly confirm it? _”Let’s pretend that calling an opinion ‘hysteria’ doesn’t mean that it’s an irrational emotion-driven overreaction, but merely means that the speaker disagrees with it!” “Let’s pretend that calling somebody a ‘dick’ isn’t an insult but rather a compliment!”_ If so, then let it go, Humpty. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men can’t cobble together a meaningful semantic argument out of that bullshit. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2026, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2377 "2026-07-21T00:22:30Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > So you believe that when you and I disagree on whether a word is offensive, I should accept that your opinion is objectively right and my opinion is objectively wrong. If you use a word, and I find it offensive, then that word is objectively offensive. It might not be offensive to an audience larger than myself. You might consider my reasoning for finding it offensive absurd. You may even legitimately decide that you don’t care if you offend me. But if you’re trying to convince me of something, and I say you just offended me, you’re not making your job any easier by also taking up the task of convincing me I wasn’t offended. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2378 "2026-07-21T00:32:08Z")
To say much the same thing as Miller, but in different words: Communication is a two way street. If a word or statement offends your audience, it is offensive. That’s true whether or not you intended to be offensive, and whether or not other audiences find the word offensive. It offended. Ergo, it was offensive. And if you fail to understand that, then you are either ridiculously self absorbed or an idiot. (And yes, both of those statements are likely offensive. That’s okay, i knew it when i typed them and decided to type them anyway.) ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2379 "2026-07-21T01:00:43Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > So many ways that one could reasonably take this. > > Oh. No. Wait. There’s really only one. Correct, there _is_ only one way one can take it: particularly idiotic and particularly empty bluster. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2380 "2026-07-21T02:00:50Z")
Seriously, I can be pissed off by both, and I am. If someone opens a thread like this I’m not gonna’ say, "Oh noes I totally don’t have the bandwidth to be actively and violently anti trump _ **and** _ call out misogyny and asshole behavior by the OP " I have the capacity to do both. I know it’s a rare talent right? 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2381 "2026-07-21T02:04:36Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > No, just replace hysterical with irrational. Is irrational offensive? Is calling someone irrational insulting? As I’ve said, I’ve stopped using the word hysteria in any context where it is directed at anybody because I have been told some people find it offensive and it is not my intent to offend people. (Ironically, this debate over the use of the word has greatly increased its presence here in that context.) But I believe if I began using the word irrational, many of the people who are now saying the word hysteria is unacceptable would soon be telling me I need to apologize for using the word irrational. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2382 "2026-07-21T02:08:49Z")
Sometimes, not being a callous, insensitive asshole is just about the only reasonable way forward. Weird, huh? ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2383 "2026-07-21T02:16:00Z")
They don’t mean the same thing, and they aren’t equally offensive. One is typically a temporary emotional state (you are upset, you are hysterical) and the other is a statement about someone’s logical abilities (you are irrational, you are stupid). ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2384 "2026-07-21T02:16:30Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > If you use a word, and I find it offensive, then that word is objectively offensive. It might not be offensive to an audience larger than myself. You might consider my reasoning for finding it offensive absurd. You may even legitimately decide that you don’t care if you offend me. > > But if you’re trying to convince me of something, and I say you just offended me, you’re not making your job any easier by also taking up the task of convincing me I wasn’t offended. Okay, you used the word “but” in your post. Let’s say I then informed you that I find the word but offensive because it sounds the same as butt. (I want to state this is hypothetical.) Are you arguing that because I have said that I find the word but offensive, that means it is objectively offensive? If I say I was offended does that mean you offended me? Or is it possible for me to be offended by something which you did not intend to be offensive? Now that I have informed you that I find the word but offensive, how should you respond? Would you continue using the word but as you normally would, ignoring the fact that I have told you I find it offensive? Would you avoid using it in communications with me, knowing I find it offensive even though you might not agree? If I insisted that you apologize to me for using the word but, even before I told you I found it offensive, would you apologize? If I insisted you acknowledge that the word but is offensive, would you agree that it is offensive? ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2385 "2026-07-21T02:17:31Z")
You might have tried starting this thread as: I pit people that think trump is going to do X. I don’t think he will and here is why. And this is why I think we should do X instead of Z to more reliably get him out of office. You went straight to inflammatory language whether or not you believe hysterical is gendered or not it was still over the top offensive. And stubbornly insisting that it isn’t and we should get over our issues with your chosen wording sent this thread off the rails from the git go. I didn’t like it, I’m not going to let it go by whether I agree with your premise or not. This whole thing makes you look like a troll. I’ve not had issues with things you’ve said before, so no I didn’t take issue with the word because I wanted to persecute you or something. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2386 "2026-07-21T02:21:09Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#): > > You might have tried starting this thread as: I pit people that think trump is going to do X. You’re saying I should have attacked people directly rather than point out a behavior I disagree with? That seems more confrontational to me. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/2387 "2026-07-21T02:21:38Z")
Good dog there is no way of fixing this. He wants to use offensive language and get a pat on the head for it. Next it’ll be some racist term that we’re getting “hysterical” about. What a troll. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735.md?page=109) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735.md?page=111)