# Mods upgrading insults then issuing warnings. **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [December 17, 2012, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308 "2012-12-17T15:01:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/61 "2012-12-19T07:10:01Z")
Hey! This thought just struck me. (But no worry, no major damage done.) If someone tells me to “get bent”, meaning “get fucked”, should I not interpret that as a wish for, uh, something desirable to happen to me? Where’s the insult in that? OTOH, if someone tells me to “Go bend yourself”, well, _that’s_ probably an insult. ISTM everyone in this thread is thinking of this statement instead. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/62 "2012-12-19T07:23:47Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Hey! This thought just struck me. (But no worry, no major damage done.) > > If someone tells me to “get bent”, meaning “get fucked”, should I not interpret that as a wish for, uh, something desirable to happen to me? Where’s the insult in that? > > OTOH, if someone tells me to “Go bend yourself”, well, _that’s_ probably an insult. ISTM everyone in this thread is thinking of this statement instead. George Carlin had the same idea. As in, if you really want to insult somebody, wish upon them the hope that they never experience sex again. “Hey! Unfuck you, buddy!” ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/63 "2012-12-19T07:24:21Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > Bent if I know. Of course, there is [precedent](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15322457&postcount=5) for this [discussion](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15322524&postcount=7), if by “precedent” we mean “when **Colibri** did it everything was deemed OK”. Then again, there’s clearly a significant difference, and I’ll leave identifying it and explaining it as an exercise for the student. _Raises hand_ - was the difference that Colibri posted that in the Pit where insults are permitted, and the OP’s comment was not posted in the Pit? Or is that covered next semester? ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/64 "2012-12-19T08:16:46Z")
> [@](#): > > **RedFury** : Have a White Russian on me. Are you clairvoyant? I don’t think anyone was out of line here – including **Agent Foxtrot** or **Twickster**. Her comments were informative even though I disagree with the viewpoint that words are anything more than symbols. But the thread was worth reading just to read the upfront viewpoints of **Nzinga, Seated** and that **Turnip** guy who always brings light. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/65 "2012-12-19T11:02:45Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > _Raises hand_ - was the difference that Colibri posted that in the Pit where insults are permitted, and the OP’s comment was not posted in the Pit? Or is that covered next semester? Nope - “fuck you” and its equivalents aren’t allowed in the Pit so **Colibri** would be out of line were that the guiding principle. Reread the stickies there for your home learning and bring me a 1500-word essay by 3 pm Monday. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/66 "2012-12-19T13:52:05Z")
Saying “Get bent” means “Get fucked” is like saying that “Darn you” means the same thing as “Fuck you.” They’re both insults, but the former is specifically meant to be a lesser insult than the latter. And I blame Agent’s upgrade on the odd terminology of this place, using “Warning” to mean infraction and “Mod Note” to mean an official caution not to do somwthing–what we normally would call a “warning.” ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/67 "2012-12-19T14:54:49Z")
How does this insult upgrade program work? Most of my insults are old and barely working. I certainly want to upgrade to more modern and effective insults. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/68 "2012-12-19T14:59:06Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > I was explaining, for anyone that might not know, that it was a synonym for “get fucked” and thus unacceptable. Wow, you learn something new everyday. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/69 "2012-12-19T15:07:21Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Saying “Get bent” means “Get fucked” is like saying that “Darn you” means the same thing as “Fuck you.” Not like it at all – “get bent” refers to a sexual act. If you’d said “darn you” means the same as “damn you,” you might have had a point. Not a point that we haven’t covered already, but a point nonetheless. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/70 "2012-12-19T15:10:28Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > And I blame Agent’s upgrade on the odd terminology of this place, using “Warning” to mean infraction and “Mod Note” to mean an official caution not to do somwthing–what we normally would call a “warning.” Well, this place is kind of bent, so that probably explains it. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/71 "2012-12-19T15:26:44Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > How does this insult upgrade program work? Most of my insults are old and barely working. I certainly want to upgrade to more modern and effective insults. “Get the _ALL NEW **FUCK YOU** v2.0!_ Only $29.95! Runs in Windows, Linux, and OSX! Get it today! Coming soon, PISS OFFv3.5 for the iPad.” ---
**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:** [December 19, 2012, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/72 "2012-12-19T15:38:03Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > Nope - “fuck you” and its equivalents aren’t allowed in the Pit so **Colibri** would be out of line were that the guiding principle. Reread the stickies there for your home learning and bring me a 1500-word essay by 3 pm Monday. You seem not to have read the entire thread. **Gfactor** explained the policy of the Pit mods[here.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15343285&postcount=211) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/73 "2012-12-19T15:44:23Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > How does this insult upgrade program work? Most of my insults are old and barely working. I certainly want to upgrade to more modern and effective insults. Please for sending me your bank savings account number and social security number, and one my very qualified staffs will send you upgrade almost immediately. Thanking you again for your kind patience and customership! ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/74 "2012-12-19T16:48:58Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > How does this insult upgrade program work? Most of my insults are old and barely working. I certainly want to upgrade to more modern and effective insults. Be careful when upgrading insults; the new versions may not be compatible with your motherfuckerboard. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/75 "2012-12-19T17:14:11Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > You seem not to have read the entire thread. **Gfactor** explained the policy of the Pit mods[here.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15343285&postcount=211) Oh well, that explains everything in a thoroughly satisfactory manner. :rolleyes: ---
**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:** [December 19, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/76 "2012-12-19T18:23:04Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > Oh well, that explains everything in a thoroughly satisfactory manner. Great to hear that.😉 ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/77 "2012-12-19T19:01:30Z")
Mods upgrading sarcasm then issuing facetiousness… ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/78 "2012-12-19T19:13:12Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Ya know. When those nasty old frat boys said they got all bent out of shape for what the cops did when they busted the party, I had no idea they meant the cops fornicated with them. I now the headlines read “Cops beat off mob at State,” but I just didn’t put it all together. It wasn’t a handjob after all. “Get bent” as an imperative and “getting bent out of shape” are two different idioms that happen to have the word _bent_ in common. > [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](#): > > I have heard “Get bent” used on TV. If “get bent” means “get fucked”, how can they get away with saying it? Because TV censors are concerned with a very specific list of words, and anything else is okay. Because euphamisms are a time-honored tradition for circumventing that censorship policy. > [@Malacandra](#): > > Bent if I know. Of course, there is [precedent](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15322457&postcount=5) for this [discussion](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15322524&postcount=7), if by “precedent” we mean “when **Colibri** did it everything was deemed OK”. Then again, there’s clearly a significant difference, and I’ll leave identifying it and explaining it as an exercise for the student. Different rule. **Twickster** didn’t cite **Leaffan** for violating the “don’t say fuck you” rule, she cited him for a personal insult in Cafe Society. If she had cited him for the “fuck you” rule, then this issue of “upgrading complaints” would have merit. But that didn’t happen. So the incident as it happened is completely in line with the incident you cite where **Colibri** did not use the phrase “fuck you”. > [@Senegoid](#): > > If someone tells me to “get bent”, meaning “get fucked”, should I not interpret that as a wish for, uh, something desirable to happen to me? Where’s the insult in that? Quite apart from the cutural interpretation of “fuck you” is not meaning a pleasant experience, “get bent” is not saying “go have sex”, but rather implies being on the receiving end of an unpleasant experience. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/79 "2012-12-19T20:25:18Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > How about the point where you twice referenced a mod warning when none was issued? You exaggerated to make a point, own it or shut up. Easy there, killer. Look at my OP. I specifically acknowledged that no warning was issued. Who pissed in _your_ Corn Flakes this morning? ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308/80 "2012-12-19T21:08:05Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > Different rule. **Twickster** didn’t cite **Leaffan** for violating the “don’t say fuck you” rule, she cited him for a personal insult in Cafe Society. If she had cited him for the “fuck you” rule, then this issue of “upgrading complaints” would have merit. But that didn’t happen. So the incident as it happened is completely in line with the incident you cite where **Colibri** did not use the phrase “fuck you”. Really? I thought **Twickster** said something like > [@Twickster](#): > > Although “get bent” is a nicer way of saying it, telling someone to “get fucked” is out of line in Cafe Society. Don’t do this again. Ah yes, she did. Now had she said “Don’t tell someone to ‘get bent’ in CS, that’s an insult”, all would have been clear, but unfortunately that’s not what happened, so we’re still left with this jarring discontinuity where “go fuck a cactus” isn’t on a par with “go fuck yourself” when a mod says it, but “get bent” means “get fucked” when a peon does. Most odd, but what do I know? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mods-upgrading-insults-then-issuing-warnings/644308.md?page=5)