# Not this dumb metaphor again **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 14, 2016, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936 "2016-07-14T23:27:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2016, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/21 "2016-07-15T17:59:28Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > But it shouldn’t be in the dictionary though. > > Do you think “literally” should mean “not literally” too? Language adapts and changes with the times. Sorry brah ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2016, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/22 "2016-07-15T18:03:15Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > But it shouldn’t be in the dictionary though. > > Do you think “literally” should mean “not literally” too? Do **you** think “not literally” should always be used disparagingly? And what words would you suggest appropriate to replace “combat” in the sentence in question? ---
**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:** [July 15, 2016, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/23 "2016-07-15T18:13:53Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > The utter stupidity of this comment aside, my comments have nothing to do with Maloney’s political beliefs. They have nothing to do with his political beliefs, and are instead part of the ongoing coincidence of all your criticisms being directed at progressives. Huzzah! As for “shouldn’t be in the dictionary,” that’s a reasonable position for you to take. Given that you’re dumber than a bag of rice crackers, that is. Maybe “predictable” is a better word than “reasonable.” What do you think the point of dictionaries is? ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2016, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/24 "2016-07-15T18:18:51Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > They have nothing to do with his political beliefs, and are instead part of the ongoing coincidence of all your criticisms being directed at progressives. Huzzah! I’ve already explained this, but apparently you need extra help. I don’t care what you think of me. I’m not here to prove anything to you. I am a progressive. I speak for myself. > [@](#): > > As for “shouldn’t be in the dictionary,” that’s a reasonable position for you to take. Given that you’re dumber than a bag of rice crackers, that is. Maybe “predictable” is a better word than “reasonable.” What do you think the point of dictionaries is? Do you think the point of dictionaries is to tell us how we are required to use words? ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2016, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/25 "2016-07-15T18:21:42Z")
We’re gonna stamp out hate Sock it in the eye Shoot it in the stomach yelling, die, die, die! We’ll pull its insides out And look at look at what it ate We’re gonna stamp out hate. ---
**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:** [July 15, 2016, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/26 "2016-07-15T18:22:08Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > I’ve already explained this, but apparently you need extra help. > > I don’t care what you think of me. I’m not here to prove anything to you. I am a progressive. I speak for myself. I love how many times you tell me that you don’t care what I think of you. TOTALLY CONVINCING! Please tell me again, and maybe this time the statement whose existence contradicts itself will win me over! 😃 > [@](#): > > Do you think the point of dictionaries is to tell us how we are required to use words? No, you fuckin imbecile, I don’t. I also don’t think they serve fried chicken in baskets, for all that has to do with anything. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2016, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/27 "2016-07-15T18:23:28Z")
> [@naita](#): > > Do **you** think “not literally” should always be used disparagingly? I literally don’t understand the question. > [@](#): > > And what words would you suggest appropriate to replace “combat” in the sentence in question? Oppose. Deal with. Stop. End. Reject. Just a few off the top of my head. Not in this case, but in others, words like heal, solve, reject, etc. may work too. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2016, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/28 "2016-07-15T18:27:17Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > … > Do you think the point of dictionaries is to tell us how we are required to use words? That depends. Are we talking about “dictionaries” in a metaphorical sense here? ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2016, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/29 "2016-07-15T18:30:20Z")
> [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](#): > > Language adapts and changes with the times. Sorry brah And I can criticize it. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2016, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/30 "2016-07-15T18:31:43Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > That depends. Are we talking about “dictionaries” in a metaphorical sense here? Well, I’m told that since this sense of “dictionary” is in the dictionary, it can’t be a metaphor. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2016, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/31 "2016-07-15T18:32:52Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > No, you fuckin imbecile, I don’t. Yes you do. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2016, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/32 "2016-07-15T18:36:09Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > But it shouldn’t be in the dictionary though. Oh, boy, are _you_ late to the party. > [@](#): > > Webster’s Dictionary, 1828 Edition > > COMBAT, verb intransitive > > 1. To act in opposition. > > A combats with B for his right. > > COMBAT, verb transitive > > 1. To contend against; to oppose; to resist; as, to combat arguments or opinions. > [@](#): > > Webster’s Dictionary, 1913 Edition > > Syn: To fight against; resist; oppose; withstand; oppugn; > antagonize; repel; resent. ---
**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:** [July 15, 2016, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/33 "2016-07-15T18:44:42Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > Yes you do. Your mom does. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2016, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/34 "2016-07-15T18:58:30Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Your mom does. Look at the so-called “progressive” attacking women. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/35 "2016-07-15T19:00:20Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Oh, boy, are _you_ late to the party. Oh well. ---
**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:** [July 15, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/36 "2016-07-15T19:13:05Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > Look at the so-called “progressive” attacking women. Your mom attacks women. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2016, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/37 "2016-07-15T19:34:09Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > Look at the so-called “progressive” attacking women. He obviously can’t be a progressive; he doesn’t say “I’m a progressive” all the time. ---
**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:** [July 15, 2016, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/38 "2016-07-15T19:42:12Z")
Did you know the word “gullible” isn’t in the dictionary? ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2016, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/39 "2016-07-15T20:40:32Z")
[What a gullibull!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGD69Q9rz3M) ---
**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:** [July 15, 2016, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936/40 "2016-07-15T23:17:35Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > I don’t care what you think of me. I’m not here to prove anything to you. Apparently you’ve said that to **LHoD** many times, but it looked really familiar because I now recall that you’ve said it to me, too, in that thread where you prove that you don’t understand what the First Amendment means, but you’ve probably said it many other times. Do you have a keyboard shortcut that automatically spits out those two ridiculous sentences whenever you feel aggrieved? > [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > Oppose. Deal with. Stop. End. Reject. Just a few off the top of my head. Apparently the top of your head is just as worthless as what’s inside your head. “Oppose” has the wrong connotation for this context because it carries the connotation of advocacy arguments being made on opposite sides of an issue, “deal with” is too informal a colloquialism, “stop” and “end” incorrectly imply that Maloney believes his bill will actually stop or end such activity completely, and “reject” is stupid for the same reason as “oppose”. But remarkably, there **IS** a word that conveys exactly the right shade of meaning, and it’s the word whose definition was just given [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19479271&postcount=11). So you’re not only an idiot incapable of clear thinking, you also don’t understand the language very well. > [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > Not in this case, but in others, words like heal, solve, reject, etc. may work too. Inasmuch as you’re an idiot with poor understanding of the English language, if any such word you ever suggested turned out to be appropriate, it would be sheer coincidence, in the sense of a bunch of monkeys hammering on keyboards accidentally typing something intelligible. Your OP is totally asinine. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-this-dumb-metaphor-again/759936.md?page=3)