# The new \[del\] function - WTF? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 29, 2005, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355 "2005-06-29T13:36:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/1 "2005-06-29T13:36:31Z")
I’ve just noticed this new feature on the board. IMHO, this has got to be the stupidest “upgrade” I’ve ever seen. What, if any, is the point? ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/2 "2005-06-29T13:38:39Z")
[del]To wittily and snappily point out where someone is being rather uptight[/del] No reason. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/3 "2005-06-29T13:49:51Z")
[You might want to rethink that, **FinnAgain**.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=323199) ---
**Author:** ![Uvula\_Donor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e19adc/32.png) [@Uvula\_Donor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uvula_Donor)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/4 "2005-06-29T13:58:45Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > IMHO, this has got to be the stupidest “upgrade” I’ve ever seen. > > What, if any, is the point? I agree. The only tag I think I’d hate more would be [blink]. As for the point…well, maybe it gives morons something to play with since they can’t have animated smilies. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/5 "2005-06-29T13:59:34Z")
> [@](#): > > “Calamine lotion seems not to work for me, so I was wondering, what are some [del]old wives tale’s[/del] homemade solutions to these damned things. Any suggestions?” In otherwords, it is to put in what you wish you could say, or put in a snarky remark which is insulting to a group, but is still mild enough not to count as a violation of rules. For example, in an ordinary post, I would be allowed to put-down the wisdom of folk beliefs anyway, but I wrote it down as if I needed to hide that fact. Jokes are never funny when explained. ---
**Author:** ![Uvula\_Donor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e19adc/32.png) [@Uvula\_Donor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uvula_Donor)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/6 "2005-06-29T14:34:36Z")
> [@Scott Plaid](#): > > For example, in an ordinary post, I would be allowed to put-down the wisdom of folk beliefs anyway, but I wrote it down as if I needed to hide that fact. Or, you might have simply phrased it differently: “Calamine lotion seems not to work for me, so I was wondering if anyone could suggest a homemade solution, folk remedy, or even an ‘old wives tale’ that might work on these damned things?” BTW, a cotton swab moistened with ammonia and dabbed on the mosquito bite will relieve the itching almost immediately. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/7 "2005-06-29T14:36:55Z")
I think it’s a great alternative to the minus sign. 5[del] [/del] 2 = 3. Or even the hyphen. Good[del] [/del] bye. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/8 "2005-06-29T14:39:45Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > [You might want to rethink that, **FinnAgain**.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=323199) [del][Or maybe not.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/forumdisplay.php?f=5)[/del] Well, I certainly didn’t consider that. Nope. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/9 "2005-06-29T14:41:36Z")
Yes, but that wouldn’t seem funny, or like you need to hide your belief that folk remedies are wrong headed. As I have said, this is a milder version of saying what you wish you could say. A real word example would be to mention Martha Stewart in public, then pretend to cough, and stage whisper the word " overachiever" in the middle of your cough. P.S. Thank you for your suggestion. However, it is already in GQ, and I have taken the advice of another poster to squeeze the side of the bite, rather then scratch. It works quite well, and I now feel much better. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/10 "2005-06-29T14:42:02Z")
Hey, I was just letting you know that the mods might consider it being a jerk. Do as you wish. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/11 "2005-06-29T14:44:42Z")
Oh yeah. I know. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/12 "2005-06-29T14:45:55Z")
Actually, my reply was to **FinnAgain** , but if it helps you too, then it’s all good. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/13 "2005-06-29T14:52:56Z")
It was sorta kinda cute the first time I saw it, a little. After that, it’s just silly. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/14 "2005-06-29T14:52:58Z")
I suppose it might find a genuine use in game-related threads; if there’s a fixed list of players, they can be struck off as they are eliminated, ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/15 "2005-06-29T14:54:24Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > Hey, I was just letting you know that the mods might consider it being a jerk. I assume they mean outside the Pit. I don’t see why the del tag would be beyond the pale but calling someone a coprophagic goat felcher would be just fine. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/16 "2005-06-29T14:57:54Z")
Looking over the linked thread again, I think **dex** made it quite clear. > [@](#): > > The general rule about no public insults outside the Pits mean no insults. We don’t feel the need to add regulation 17(b)(ii) to cover insults hidden by delete lines, or regulation 17(b)(iii) to cover insults hidden in a spoiler box, or 17(b)(iv) for whatever else. But, hey, we’re not mods, right? So I appreciate the heads up, but I think my interpretation of what they’ve said is correct and if I’m to be slapped down by a mod, so be it. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/17 "2005-06-29T15:50:08Z")
I must have been hanging out in the wrong threads, because i’ve never seen it before now. And i agree that it’s rather pointless. [del]But i want to try it anyway.[/del] ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/18 "2005-06-29T16:24:13Z")
I give it a month before someone gets banned for using it improperly. ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/19 "2005-06-29T16:25:32Z")
I just assumed it was a tag for people in Cafe Society who want to post their fave 70s live album, One More [del]For[/del] From The Road ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355/20 "2005-06-29T16:41:11Z")
Is this really the best thing you can think up to bitch about?! This place _has_ gone soft. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-del-function-wtf/310355.md?page=2)