# Quoting only a snippet of a poster's post **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [May 3, 2026, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753 "2026-05-03T18:25:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/1 "2026-05-03T18:25:58Z")
A recent post had the following in it - “Please pardon the snip”. Hmmmm… I’m always snipping what posters say, because I want to address only the relevant part of their post. So really - I should apologize each time for doing so? Also, as I was writing this post, a “Your topic is similar to…” pop-up appeared, offering the thread “How do I quote someone else’s post?”, which wouldn’t appear after I tried to click on the link, multiple times. (???) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/2 "2026-05-03T18:33:46Z")
You don’t have to apologize, it’s more that you should be making it clear that you took out a section, especially if it changes the meaning. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/3 "2026-05-03T18:34:11Z")
We have the capability to quote a portion of a post for a reason. I’m not sure who’s apologizing for it. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/4 "2026-05-03T18:36:50Z")
It was probably me: > [@Would you like to see restaurants offer small portions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/100): > > (please pardon the snip) Upthread, we even linked to a current thread talking about high-end restaurants and this pattern: I tend to be hyper careful with snips, even when it _doesn’t_ change the meaning, which is where you need to be extra careful, especially in P&E. So, habit. Isn’t required, but more a courtesy in this case. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/5 "2026-05-03T18:37:16Z")
Well, was hoping to avoid narcin’ on ya, **Parallel Lines** … > [@](#): > > (please pardon the snip) From small portions in restaurants thread. EDIT: ha! ninja’ed by, like, seconds. ---
**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:** [May 3, 2026, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/6 "2026-05-03T19:00:54Z")
Back a few years ago (15?) it was considered polite bordering on necessary to insert elipses if you were quoting less than the whole post e.g. > [@SomeExamplePoster](#): > > … > And furthermore: blah, blah, blah, etc., etc., etc. _Harrumph!_ > … to indicate you took just a sentence out of the middle of their longer post. That community habit has largely fallen by the wayside. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/7 "2026-05-03T19:03:28Z")
…and is something I still always try to do. ---
**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:** [May 4, 2026, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/8 "2026-05-04T10:54:54Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Back a few years ago (15?) it was considered polite bordering on necessary to insert elipses if you were quoting less than the whole post e.g. > > > [@SomeExamplePoster](#): > > > > … > > And furthermore: blah, blah, blah, etc., etc., etc. _Harrumph!_ > > … > > to indicate you took just a sentence out of the middle of their longer post. That community habit has largely fallen by the wayside. Huh, this is news to me. I still ellipse like a mofo. mmm ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/9 "2026-05-04T11:20:47Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > You don’t have to apologize, it’s more that you should be making it clear that you took out a section, especially if it changes the meaning. Seems like we shouldn’t remove parts of a post if it changes the meaning. That happened to me several years ago when someone quoted a small part of a post and it was infuriating. Came close to putting someone on ignore (can we still do that?) but decided to leave it. My post was of the “When [rare event] occurs, we should always do X” It was misquoted to appear I’d endorsed “we should do always do X”. I take pains not to change the overall meaning of a quote, and sometimes probably quote too large a portion. Sometimes I quote and bold the section I’m focusing on, adding “Bolding Mine” afterward. Is that considered OK here? (Adding bolding to a quote, with wording to ensure readers knew I bolded the text, not the originator) ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/10 "2026-05-04T15:29:01Z")
Doing a partial quote that changes the meaning of the party being quoted is very much against the TOS. I won’t say it happens all the time, but it is something I have moderated for and one of the reasons that I’m extra careful about documenting snips even in less serious threads. This specifically applies to information inside the quote box or other direct quote, there can be some more gray area if you are merely paraphrasing someone, and there’s always a chance there for a honest misunderstanding. ---
**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:** [May 4, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/11 "2026-05-04T16:12:37Z")
I think you inadvertently confused things a little with your previous statement: > [@ParallelLines](#): > > I tend to be hyper careful with snips, even when it _doesn’t_ change the meaning, which is where you need to be extra careful, especially in P&E. That seems to imply you have to be very careful when quoting a snip that changes the meaning of the quote. No, it doesn’t matter how careful you are when changing the meaning, because you flat out _cannot do that_. Your point was you have to be careful to _not_ change the meaning, but it didn’t quite come out that way. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/12 "2026-05-04T20:27:03Z")
Thank you, I was on the move all morning and trying to respond via voice-to-text, and Sunday was busy trock-hunting. Short version, I personally am careful with any modification of a user’s quote box, even when it isn’t required. Thus I tend to document snips beyond what is strictly required. Modifying quotes of other users in a way that changes the _intent_ is a TOS violation and to be avoided by all. And now I must finally stop and get some food and coffee which have been lacking today! ---
**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:** [May 4, 2026, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/13 "2026-05-04T20:41:07Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > get some food and coffee Let the record show that it’s not quite 3pm in your home timezone. Yeah, probably past time for your breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/14 "2026-05-04T20:43:28Z")
I’m trying to do restricted time of day eating, so normally between 2pm and 8pm (normally I’m going to be at midnight these days), but the no caffeine is a killer. Right now I’m trying to get caught up on a lot of things before Mother’s day and then houseguest coming mid month. ---
**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:** [May 4, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/15 "2026-05-04T20:52:55Z")
You are a braver person than I. Restrict forth! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/16 "2026-05-04T23:40:37Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > I’m trying to do restricted time of day eating, so normally between 2pm and 8pm (normally I’m going to be at midnight these days), but the no caffeine is a killer I have slowly phased out caffeine, now all i have is a glass of rather weak black tea in the morning- and you know- I dont miss it. But slowly is the keyword. ---
**Author:** ![Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swords_to_Plowshares)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2026, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/17 "2026-06-18T19:47:18Z")
How do I do this on mobile? ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2026, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/18 "2026-06-18T19:55:10Z")
I’m sure it’ll vary by operating system and browser, but on Android, using Chrome, I can press and hold on a section of a post, then pull across/down to highlight a section, after which, I’ll get a dropdown with “Quote” as well as a few other options. Selecting “quote” will open a reply window with the highlighted text featured as the quote. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2026, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/19 "2026-06-18T20:36:09Z")
I just tried this on the SD app on my Android phone. When i highlight some text, a popup appears with 5 options : Copy, Select all, Web search, Share or Dictionary, and another popup with 2 options: X (twitter) or E-mail. No quote option. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2026, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753/20 "2026-06-18T20:38:57Z")
Again, it can vary by browser and possibly version of android, as well as (potentially) if you’re at the website or the “app”. Note I -do- have similar options you mention as an option bar _above_ the highlighted text (Copy, Share, Select all, Web search, etc.) with the SDMB specific options I mentioned in the last post as a dropdown _below_ the highlighted text. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753.md?page=2)