# is it safe? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 19, 2008, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621 "2008-10-19T06:23:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/1 "2008-10-19T06:23:59Z")
I’m thinking of cleaning my gnu. Got any tips?? ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/2 "2008-10-19T06:45:25Z")
Yes, it’s safe, it’s very safe, it’s so safe you wouldn’t believe it. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/3 "2008-10-19T06:58:03Z")
Be gentle, and don’t be afraid of using too much lubricant. Trust me. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/4 "2008-10-19T07:13:56Z")
Better get a gnu gun. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/5 "2008-10-19T07:21:01Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Better get a gnu gun. [He said,](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAwVIZDAUF0) “_Run_, not _gun!_” (:45) ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/6 "2008-10-19T07:23:47Z")
\ ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/7 "2008-10-19T15:45:44Z")
Remember, treat every gnu as though it were loaded. YTou can never be too careful when it comes to gnu safety. The first time you get careless when handling or cleaning gnu, that’s when it discharges. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/8 "2008-10-19T16:02:31Z")
When they outlaw gnus, only outlaws will have gnus. ---
**Author:** ![Silophant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Silophant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silophant)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/9 "2008-10-19T16:09:06Z")
Is it secret? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/10 "2008-10-19T16:25:09Z")
Well, Stallman can be a bit irritating, but I don’t think he’s _dangerous_, as such - so sure, it’s safe. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/11 "2008-10-19T16:25:58Z")
Clean your gnu using a mild, biodegradable detergent and a brush with stiff bristles. Do NOT clean your gnu at the local waterhole unless it has been cleared of large reptiles. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/12 "2008-10-19T16:29:37Z")
> [@](#): > > is it safe? No. There are alligators in the Serengeti rivers. And if your GNU is in a location like Hostgator then to clean it you still need to be careful. 🙂 \* - Cleanup of all unnecessary junk files. > **[Cleaning up a Ubuntu GNU/Linux system | Ubuntu Geek](http://www.ubuntugeek.com/cleaning-up-all-unnecessary-junk-files-in-ubuntu.html)** ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/13 "2008-10-19T16:32:27Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > Remember, treat every gnu as though it were loaded. YTou can never be too careful when it comes to gnu safety. The first time you get careless when handling or cleaning gnu, that’s when it discharges. Rule #1: All gnus are always loaded. Rule#2: Never let the muzzle of the gnu cover anything you are unwilling to destroy. Rule #3: Keep your finger off the gnu trigger until the sights are on the target. Rule #4: Know what the gnu’s target is and what is behind it. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/14 "2008-10-19T18:19:51Z")
Anything else gnu with you? ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/15 "2008-10-19T19:35:56Z")
:o ??? I don’t know why I started this thread. I’m putting all the blame on Mr Daniels. :o ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/16 "2008-10-19T19:37:11Z")
See kids? This is why you shouldn’t mix gnus and alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/17 "2008-10-19T19:38:07Z")
Make sure to get behind the horns, and soak the hooves before scrubbing them. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/18 "2008-10-19T19:39:52Z")
> [@samarm](#): > > :o ??? > I don’t know why I started this thread. > I’m putting all the blame on Mr Daniels. :o Then apparently it wasn’t safe! :eek: Never clean your gnu after hangin’ out with ol’ Jack. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/19 "2008-10-19T19:54:46Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > When they outlaw gnus, only outlaws will have gnus. Except the dyslexic ones, who’ll have guns. Did anybody else come in thinking the title was a _Marathon Man_ reference? (If you’re not familiar, the [disturbing relevant scene is here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG5Qk-jB0D4)- not advisable for work due to violence.) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621/20 "2008-10-19T19:56:03Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > See kids? This is why you shouldn’t mix gnus and alcohol. No gnus are good gnus. Before you even start to clean one, make sure you spread a lot of newspaper around on the floor. It can be quite messy. I would suggest having on hand at least 500 copies of the Sunday New York times to begin with. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe/468621.md?page=2)