# Knock it off with the overuse of the "rollseyes" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 10, 2004, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527 "2004-10-10T22:38:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sami41](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c57346/32.png) [@Sami41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sami41)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/21 "2004-10-11T12:17:25Z")
> [@Roland Orzabal](#): > > Let’s see what Happy Jewish Man has to say. What do you think, Happy Jewish Man? > > ;j : “Only two and a half months until Channukah!” > > …and there you have it. The rolleyes smiley makes a perfect Channukah gift. It’s fun for the whole family. Why do we have a Happy Jewish Man ;j , anyway? Not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course. Could we possibly get a Guilty Catholic Guy? I could suggest a prototype picture . . . but this isn’t that type of board. And, since I’m hijacking anyway, I know he’s a Happy Jewish Man, but I always seem to see him as a spider. A Happy Spider, but still a Spider. ~S And, just to keep with the theme, :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![smartini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/22d042/32.png) [@smartini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smartini)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/22 "2004-10-11T12:37:46Z")
I lost track… are the rolleyes for the OP? or for the rolleyes to the OP? or for the rolleyes to the rolleyes to the OP? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/23 "2004-10-11T12:41:13Z")
This sucks. I actually agree with **blowero**. Some statements are so stupid that the :rolleyes: is a perfect match for exposing them. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/24 "2004-10-11T12:56:28Z")
Is this the smiley over user anon meeting? I don’t think I :rolleyes: often but I am a 🙂 and 😃 addict. I do this to send the distain my way. Does this make me a harmless addict? ---
**Author:** ![Sami41](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c57346/32.png) [@Sami41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sami41)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/25 "2004-10-11T13:07:22Z")
> [@calm kiwi](#): > > Is this the smiley over user anon meeting? > > I don’t think I :rolleyes: often but I am a 🙂 and 😃 addict. I do this to send the distain my way. Does this make me a harmless addict? I think they’re now calling it a _functioning_ addict. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/26 "2004-10-11T13:10:05Z")
> [@calm kiwi](#): > > Is this the smiley over user anon meeting? > > I don’t think I :rolleyes: often but I am a 🙂 and 😃 addict. I do this to send the distain my way. Does this make me a harmless addict? 🙂 and 😃 are technically known as gateway smilies. 86.9% of all people who use those smilies go on to the hard stuff, such as :rolleyes: or :eek: or even :dubious:. Do yourself a favor and stop using smilies now! Before you do this: :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/27 "2004-10-11T13:13:18Z")
> [@moriah](#): > > I’m sure the eradication of the rollseyes smilie put an end to all expressions of disdainment. \ Hey, every little bit helps. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/28 "2004-10-11T13:17:15Z")
I knew attending the anon meetings would set me straight…even if I :D’ed in my last post. I feel a cure coming on 😃 Ok it is a gradual thing! ---
**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:** [October 11, 2004, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/29 "2004-10-11T13:20:21Z")
Why use any smilies? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/30 "2004-10-11T13:22:42Z")
It’s a compulsion. Plus they are purdy 😃 (oh bugger there I go again). ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/31 "2004-10-11T16:15:58Z")
> [@Middlecase](#): > > I didn’t know he was for expressing condescension; he just looks kind of glum to me. Maybe we need a \ smiley {thrusty?} instead. It would save a lot of time. I _strongly_ support the adoption of Thrusty! At least 50% of my posts could be replaced by a single ::thrusty::. Think of the time savings! For example, now I have to type out: Hey, **Middlecase** , nice fucking idea! I got yer thrusty right here! Up yours, pal! The same message could just as accurately be conveyed with a Thrusty and a Winkie. Truly, with Thrusty, the board would enter a new Golden Age of incivility. I for one welcome our new thrusting overlords. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/32 "2004-10-11T16:54:29Z")
> [@](#): > > Why use any smilies? Some people have time to spend crafting an intelligent and well written reply to why you feel the previous posters argument was specious or outright incorrect. The rest of us have a life outside the internet and use crutches like smilies to save time. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/33 "2004-10-11T16:55:31Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > The rest of us have a life outside the internet … :rolleyes: As if! ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/34 "2004-10-11T17:20:57Z")
☹ OK you got me. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/35 "2004-10-11T18:35:05Z")
> [@Sami41](#): > > Why do we have a Happy Jewish Man ;j , anyway? Not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course. Could we possibly get a Guilty Catholic Guy? I could suggest a prototype picture . . . but this isn’t that type of board. > > And, since I’m hijacking anyway, I know he’s a Happy Jewish Man, but I always seem to see him as a spider. A Happy Spider, but still a Spider. > > ~S > > And, just to keep with the theme, :rolleyes: Actually, he doesn’t look like a Happy Jewish Man to me. He looks like a bad photo from the late 1800s of a Chinese coolie. :eek: OMG, look what I saw: :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/36 "2004-10-12T02:14:16Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > I _strongly_ support the adoption of Thrusty! At least 50% of my posts could be replaced by a single ::thrusty::. Think of the time savings! For example, now I have to type out: > > Hey, **Middlecase** , nice fucking idea! I got yer thrusty right here! Up yours, pal! > > The same message could just as accurately be conveyed with a Thrusty and a Winkie. > > Truly, with Thrusty, the board would enter a new Golden Age of incivility. I for one welcome our new thrusting overlords. Hey Giraffe, yer fuckin’ welcome! I got yer welcome right here, pal! \ Hey, it does work. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/37 "2004-10-12T08:01:37Z")
> [@BubbaDog](#): > > This sucks. I actually agree with **blowero**. That was actually pretty funny. I don’t hate you _nearly_ as much now. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Waccoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Waccoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waccoe)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/38 "2004-10-12T16:13:34Z")
There’s an assumption here that, if you can write well, smilies are redundant. I wonder if that’s really true. Take Jane Austen, for instance. Surely her prose would have been even more powerful with a few well-placed smilies - unfortunately, she was born in the wrong century. Just imagine how she might have used them: It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife 😉 Oh, Mr Darcy, whatever are you doing? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/39 "2004-10-12T16:26:07Z")
Sometimes a post from a certain poster defies words and begs for the :rolleyes: I will continue to use it for those instances. Mainly because it mirrors my own expression. Sam ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527/40 "2004-10-12T16:30:35Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Actually, he doesn’t look like a Happy Jewish Man to me. He looks like a bad photo from the late 1800s of a Chinese coolie. > > :eek: OMG, look what I saw: :rolleyes: ;j Funny, I never thought of him as a Happy Jewish Man. I’ve always thought of it as a Little Brownie Girl. Maybe because I’ve got curly hair like that and I was in the brownies when I was little. So it kinda looks like me. Of course, I can also look a little like a Happy Jewish Man on a bad day, so that one can work too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knock-it-off-with-the-overuse-of-the-rollseyes/268527.md?page=3)