# Thread the needle \[Definition of threadshitting\] **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 4, 2017, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952 "2017-10-04T14:33:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/41 "2017-10-05T20:33:27Z")
I haven’t been using them since I got reemed, last week (except in the music thread). I was just wanting to know about ‘threadshitting’ I am really not sure how this turned into another debate on my ellipse usage. Well, yes I do, I mentioned it upthread somewhere, out came the ellipse police!! WOW!! ---
**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:** [October 5, 2017, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/42 "2017-10-05T21:06:09Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Sounds…fun…to me! I understand what is needed or wanted, As I’ve said before, I am highly teachable. I will try to punctuate correctly and use less ellipses. Thx for your input! Correction: you will presumably try to use _ **fewer** _ ellipses. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/43 "2017-10-05T22:02:05Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I haven’t been using them since I got reemed, last week (except in the music thread). I was just wanting to know about ‘threadshitting’ I am really not sure how this turned into another debate on my ellipse usage. Well, yes I do, I mentioned it upthread somewhere, out came the ellipse police!! WOW!! a) It’s not a debate. b) “Ellipse” is a mathematical shape. _Ellipsis_ is the linguistic form you had been misusing. c) reamed, not “reemed” ---
**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:** [October 5, 2017, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/44 "2017-10-05T22:02:51Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > When you post poetry, no one will complain about your punctuation. You persist in posting prose, a totally different animal. Print prose has been subject to 500 years of natural selection to ensure maximal ease and speed of reading and comprehension. You subvert that at your own peril. Thoughts followed by thoughts, and the spaces between thoughts. Beloved elipsis! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/45 "2017-10-05T22:21:34Z")
OMG…I give up! ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/46 "2017-10-05T22:24:47Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > OMG…I give up! Forget it Jake, it’s Chinatown. 😉 It’s just how Dopers roll. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/47 "2017-10-05T22:26:51Z")
Elipsis this, elipsis that…I feel like I’m back in August 20[sup]th[/sup]! ---
**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:** [October 5, 2017, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/48 "2017-10-05T23:08:41Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I haven’t been using them since I got reemed, last week (except in the music thread). Actually, you used them in three of your first four posts in this thread (and several later ones, although some of those were evidently jokes). > [@](#): > > Well, yes I do, I mentioned it upthread somewhere, out came the ellipse police!! WOW!! If you don’t want it brought up, it would be a good idea to stop bringing it up yourself.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/49 "2017-10-05T23:20:56Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Actually, you used them in three of your first four posts in this thread (and several later ones, although some of those were evidently jokes). Well, some of the had only two periods–a partial elipsis. (Roughly 67 percent totality.) ---
**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:** [October 5, 2017, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/50 "2017-10-05T23:49:02Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > … Beloved elipsis! > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > … a partial elipsis. (Roughly 67 percent totality.) If some of you don’t stop misspelling “ellipsis” I’m going to have to go all Obergruppenführer on you! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/51 "2017-10-06T00:07:21Z")
See, I am not the only one who misspells. And, is it okay to use them damned elipsis’ sometimes? Or are y’all so anti-elipsis that they can never be used? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/52 "2017-10-06T00:12:06Z")
Omg…I just misspelled it twice, someone hurry crucify me! ---
**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:** [October 6, 2017, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/53 "2017-10-06T01:15:02Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > See, I am not the only one who misspells. And, is it okay to use them damned elipsis’ sometimes? Or are y’all so anti-elipsis that they can never be used? > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Omg…I just misspelled it twice, someone hurry crucify me! **Beckdawrek** , ATMB is really not the place to go on and on about how you’re being poorly treated. As I said, if you don’t want people to discuss your use of ellipses, it would be wise to stop bringing up the subject. If you want to complain about how people are treating you, the proper place for that is the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/54 "2017-10-06T01:25:02Z")
I don’t think I am being poorly treated at all. Never said that. I just want to understand what is correct. The only way I know how to get answers is to ask questions. I am sorry you don’t see it that way. ---
**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:** [October 6, 2017, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/55 "2017-10-06T01:37:55Z")
Here’s my answer as Joe Ordinary, nobody special. About one full 3-dot ellipsis every 100 posts. Exactly zero 2-dot ellipses per lifetime. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/56 "2017-10-06T02:09:44Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Here’s my answer as Joe Ordinary, nobody special. > > About one full 3-dot ellipsis every 100 posts. Eh. Any number is fine, as long as they half-way fit [this](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellipsis#In_American_English). ---
**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:** [October 6, 2017, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/57 "2017-10-06T03:20:15Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I don’t think I am being poorly treated at all. Never said that. Yes you did, repeatedly (bolding mine): > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > **I have personally been picked-on** for punctuation infractions, which I find is **kind of a cheap shot**. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > **That is so unfair.** What the hell is wrong with ellipses, except maybe **you don’t like this other poster very much.** > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > **out came the ellipse police!! WOW!!** > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Omg…I just misspelled it twice, **someone hurry crucify me!** > [@Becdawrek](#): > > I just want to understand what is correct. The only way I know how to get answers is to ask questions. I am sorry you don’t see it that way. You’ve received answers to your questions. It’s been explained to you, many times, the proper way to use ellipsis, and why some people object to the way you use them. You say that you accept the criticism, and will change the way you post, but then continue to complain. This is not exactly consistent. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/58 "2017-10-06T03:31:02Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > See, I am not the only one who misspells. And, is it okay to use them damned elipsis’ sometimes? Or are y’all so anti-elipsis that they can never be used? > [@Colibri](#): > > Yes you did, repeatedly (bolding mine): > > You’ve received answers to your questions. It’s been explained to you, many times, the proper way to use ellipsis, and why some people object to the way you use them. You say that you accept the criticism, and will change the way you post, but then continue to complain. This is not exactly consistent. It’s also become hard to take seriously. Finally dawned on me. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/59 "2017-10-06T14:06:53Z")
Dot Dot Dot? Dash, dash _ **dash** _, Dot Dot Dot! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952/60 "2017-10-06T17:08:10Z")
Funny! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-the-needle-definition-of-threadshitting/797952.md?page=2)