# Nitpick your fellow Dopers **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 15, 2023, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-your-fellow-dopers/985583 "2023-06-15T20:49:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2023, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-your-fellow-dopers/985583/121 "2023-06-19T20:58:47Z")
I find this, too. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2023, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-your-fellow-dopers/985583/122 "2023-06-19T22:56:17Z")
That is very gracious of you, as well an unneeded. Everyone is allowed to have pet peeves after all! After reading your post, I went and looked at our appliances and am now blaming it on the red a which allowed my lazy brain to ignore the black t. Plus, I can’t spell fer shit! My poor mother worked so hard with me, spelling lists, flash cards, spelling rules, etc. I really wanted to be a good speller because it was so important to her. Alas, it wasn’t to be, so now I just laugh about how often I confuse spell-check. So, thank you again, but please don’t think about it any more. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2023, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-your-fellow-dopers/985583/123 "2023-06-19T23:27:45Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > Maybe I’m the one being whooshed here, but claiming “Belgian” was a misspelling of “Swiss” was obviously intended humorously. Yes, I took it as a lighthearted way of correcting a mistake, especially in a thread like this one. > [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Almost every interesting thread devolves into an argument between the same posters, with the same positions. Over and over. And since the moderators are often in this group, there is really no point in participating in a thread with more than a few days posts. I’ve developed a rule of thumb if I get caught in such a thread. If somebody repeats the same argument in the same words three times it’s like a magic spell. I vanish from the thread. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2023, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-your-fellow-dopers/985583/124 "2023-06-19T23:40:17Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > After reading your post, I went and looked at our appliances and am now blaming it on the red a which allowed my lazy brain to ignore the black t. Maybe, but I wouldn’t discount the Berenstein Bears alternate universe theory. Too many people know it as the InstaPot for it to be a simple mistake. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2023, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-your-fellow-dopers/985583/125 "2023-06-19T23:45:00Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > If somebody repeats the same argument in the same words three times it’s like a magic spell. I vanish from the thread. Three? I admire your patience Sir. The “usual suspects” sometimes deserve to be invited to a necktie party. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2023, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-your-fellow-dopers/985583/126 "2023-06-19T23:51:40Z")
My annoyance is when people conflate “I personally don’t like this thing” with “This thing is bad.” It isn’t just this board; it comes up all the time in online reviews as well. I usually avoid any “What’s your least favorite [whatever]?” threads for that reason. They always turn into a bunch of posts that boil down to “I don’t understand why this popular, critically acclaimed thing is popular, because I don’t like it.” ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2023, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-your-fellow-dopers/985583/127 "2023-06-19T23:51:47Z")
This is the knit-picking thread. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2023, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-your-fellow-dopers/985583/128 "2023-06-20T01:14:49Z")
you miss, spelled: picnicking bread (and yes, that’s the personal stuff I must share) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2023, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-your-fellow-dopers/985583/129 "2023-06-20T01:53:38Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Almost every interesting thread devolves into an argument between the same posters, with the same positions. Over and over. I can definitely think of a few instances of that happening, but I wouldn’t exactly regard it as some kind of epidemic infesting the board. Certain topics come up once in a while, and yes, certain posters have strongly-held views on some of them. I don’t find this particularly annoying even though IRL I tend to be easily annoyed, but maybe that’s because I’m one of them! 😉 Do you suggest that posters with strong views on a matter should stay out of threads discussing such matter, or should change their opinions from one day to the next? Often, their contributions are directly relevant to a specific discussion and/or add new information not previously known by others. > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > Plus, I can’t spell fer shit! Many very bright and very accomplished people can’t spell fer shit. The meaningful test of literacy is whether or not one can write fer shit. Spelling mistakes can be automagically corrected, but bad writing cannot, particularly because in many cases neither human nor AI can disentangle English prose that’s been mangled beyond any hope of comprehension. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2023, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-your-fellow-dopers/985583/130 "2023-06-20T02:13:18Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Maybe, but I wouldn’t discount the Berenstein Bears alternate universe theory. I’ll take it, thank you! (Anything to make it sound like I’m smarter than I really am, LOL) > [@wolfpup](#): > > Many very bright and very accomplished people can’t spell fer shit. You are so sweet, and this was one of the reasons poor Mom used to tear her hair out over my spelling. I was a voracious reader and my vocabulary was always advanced for my age. I knew what the words meant and could use them properly in a sentence, but spelling them correctly just wasn’t happening. Now for my peeve. Decimate means one out of ten. It doesn’t mean devastate or destroy. I don’t care about language evolving or modern usage and all that shit. This is the hill I will die on fergoshsakes! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2023, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-your-fellow-dopers/985583/131 "2023-06-20T18:36:30Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > This is the hill I will die on fergoshsakes! I wager 105 = 10,000 quatloos that you’ll be decimated in the process. That’s a bad hill to pick. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2023, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-your-fellow-dopers/985583/132 "2023-08-11T10:45:20Z")
Arggggh. This again. > [@This Just In...Fox News Channel is bunch of lying fucks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-just-in-fox-news-channel-is-bunch-of-lying-fucks/931180/1891): > > > [@This Just In...Fox News Channel is bunch of lying fucks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-just-in-fox-news-channel-is-bunch-of-lying-fucks/931180/1888): > > > > Mouth-breathing Fox viewing white folks vacation in Florida because they can’t afford anything else > > You misspelled, Branson, MO. Yes, because “Branson MO” and “Florida” look so much alike, like rain and rein. I bet Kolak is hanging their head in shame for such horrible misspelling, in addition to mistaking a state for a city. ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2023, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-your-fellow-dopers/985583/133 "2023-08-13T14:52:14Z")
# Synonyms of **decimate** decimate ## [verb](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verb) [Definition of _decimate_](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decimate) as in _to destroy_ to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness ofthe army’s attack _decimated_ the enemy’s defenses beyond repair Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance - [destroy](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destroy) - [devastate](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate) - [ruin](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruin) - [demolish](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demolish) - [shatter](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shatter) - [wreck](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreck) - [smash](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smash) - [overcome](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overcome) - [damage](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damage) - [annihilate](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/annihilate) - [erode](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erode) - [ravage](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ravage) - [vaporize](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vaporize) - [waste](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waste) - [pulverize](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pulverize) - [extinguish](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinguish) - [cripple](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cripple) - [raze](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raze) - [desolate](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desolate) - [kill](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kill) - [mar](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mar) - [total](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/total) - [dismantle](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismantle) - [tear down](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down) - [cream](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cream) - [defeat](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defeat) - [crush](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crush) - [injure](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/injure) - [rub out](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rub%20out) - [pull down](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pull%20down) - [nuke](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nuke) - [subdue](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subdue) - [remove](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/remove) - [break](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break) - [wrack](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrack) - [do in](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/do%20in) - [best](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/best) - [conquer](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conquer) - [impair](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impair) - [spoil](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spoil) - [blast](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blast) - [disintegrate](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disintegrate) - [eradicate](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eradicate) - [trim](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trim) - [harm](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harm) - [disfigure](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disfigure) - [obliterate](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliterate) - [mutilate](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutilate) - [deteriorate](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorate) - [dissolve](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissolve) - [lick](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lick) - [rout](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rout) - [mangle](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mangle) - [exterminate](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exterminate) - [prevail (over)](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevail%20(over)) - [master](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/master) - [win (against)](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/win%20(against)) - [surmount](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surmount) - [trounce](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trounce) - [assassinate](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assassinate) - [triumph (over)](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/triumph%20(over)) - [vitiate](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vitiate) - [clobber](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clobber) - [scour](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scour) - [beat](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beat) - [slaughter](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slaughter) - [undo](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undo) - [thrash](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thrash) - [whip](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whip) - [extirpate](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extirpate) - [deface](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deface) - [wear (away)](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wear%20(away)) - [dynamite](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dynamite) - [sweep (away)](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweep%20(away)) - [expunge](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expunge) - [liquidate](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liquidate) - [slay](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slay) - [blow up](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blow%20up) - [overmatch](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overmatch) - [scotch](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scotch) - [despoil](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despoil) - [trample](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trample) - [sack](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sack) - [disassemble](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disassemble) - [execute](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/execute) - [overbear](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overbear) - [gut](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gut) - [plunder](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plunder) - [pillage](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pillage) - [wash out](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wash%20out) - [fell](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell) - [wipe out](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wipe%20out) - [havoc](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/havoc) - [wallop](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wallop) - [efface](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/efface) - [unmake](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unmake) - [drub](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drub) - [blot out](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blot%20out) - [massacre](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/massacre) - [take down](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take%20down) - [cut down](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cut%20down) - [murder](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murder) - [stamp (out)](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stamp%20(out)) - [loot](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loot) - [zap](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zap) - [butcher](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/butcher) - [root (out)](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/root%20(out)) - [dispatch](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispatch) - [kill off](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kill%20off) - [vandalize](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vandalize) - [dilapidate](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilapidate) - [snuff (out)](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snuff%20(out)) - [mow (down)](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mow%20(down)) - [skunk](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skunk) - [take out](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take%20out) - [unbuild](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbuild) - [trash](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trash) Courtesy of Merriam Webster ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-your-fellow-dopers/985583/134 "2023-08-14T04:38:35Z")
> [@Ignatz](#): > > Courtesy of Merriam Webster Uh… Thanks? Does she have a sister? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-your-fellow-dopers/985583.md?page=6)