# use of the "putz' smiley
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-putz-smiley/296653
**Category:** About This Message Board
**Created:** [March 28, 2005, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-putz-smiley/296653 "2005-03-28T19:59:01Z")
**Posts on this page:** 12
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2005, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-putz-smiley/296653/1 "2005-03-28T19:59:01Z")
Ok, I understand we can only use this in the PIT to refer to our fellow posters, right?
But how about when we are not referring to a Poster? Like if someone had a thread in GD, and terrorists were brought up, and I said "I think terrorists are a bunch of :wally "- is _that_ OK? š
And if not- and if we do have a smiley that can only be used in the PIT- why not just get rid of it?
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### Author:  [@Gaudere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaudere)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2005, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-putz-smiley/296653/2 "2005-03-28T20:29:26Z")
It is only not allowed when you are using it to call another poster a name. Your āterroristā example is fine.
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### Author:  [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2005, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-putz-smiley/296653/3 "2005-03-28T20:39:28Z")
I find the rules about that smiley problematic, because the damn thing is _winking_. How can a straightforward insult be said with a wink?
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2005, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-putz-smiley/296653/4 "2005-03-28T21:29:20Z")
I miss the old days, when you could call someone a putz in GD.
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### Author:  [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2005, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-putz-smiley/296653/5 "2005-03-28T21:33:50Z")
> [@](#):
>
> I find the rules about that smiley problematic, because the damn thing is winking. How can a straightforward insult be said with a wink?
Because itās winking _at_ you, not winking _with_ you? š
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2005, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-putz-smiley/296653/6 "2005-03-29T00:51:21Z")
> [@Gaudere](#):
>
> It is only not allowed when you are using it to call another poster a name. Your āterroristā example is fine.
Ah, thank you. Perhaps then the sticky might be clarified?
š
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### Author:  [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2005, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-putz-smiley/296653/7 "2005-03-29T05:12:42Z")
What about the ;j smiley isnāt thatā¦
Oh, nevermindā¦
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### Author:  [@Gaudere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaudere)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2005, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-putz-smiley/296653/8 "2005-03-29T06:39:22Z")
> [@](#):
>
> I miss the old days, when you could call someone a putz in GD.
Yes, it was great when there was one notable exception to the GD rules. Except not really. š
> [@](#):
>
> Ah, thank you. Perhaps then the sticky might be clarified?
Well, OK. Just for you. š
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### Author:  [@UselessGit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UselessGit)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2005, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-putz-smiley/296653/9 "2005-03-29T14:38:05Z")
Curious, I looked up āputzā for the first time to find that it means:
1. A fool
2. A penis
So if I say, for example, that I have smelly lesions on my :wally, that would be bad, right? Perhaps I should rephrase that but, then again, perhaps I shouldnātā¦
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### Author:  [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2005, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-putz-smiley/296653/10 "2005-03-29T18:15:18Z")
Man, if you donāt know if smelly lesions on your penis is bad, you really need to see a doctor. š
What puzzles me is that the Wally smiley is made with a colon, but is winking, while the Jewish smiley is made with a semicolon, and has both eyes open. Itās like that whole driveway/parkway thing, all over again.
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### Author:  [@UselessGit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UselessGit)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2005, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-putz-smiley/296653/11 "2005-03-30T12:05:12Z")
I may be foreign and not a doctor, but I know what a colon is and I am, quite frankly, disgusted by your suggestions, Chronos. The word āsemicolonā sends shivers down my crooked spine, despite the fact that Jews seem to smile with theirs.
Iāll go home now, shmuck that I am.
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### Author:  [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2005, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-putz-smiley/296653/12 "2005-03-31T02:39:57Z")
> [@Chronos](#):
>
> Man, if you donāt know if smelly lesions on your penis is bad, you really need to see a doctor.
No - Iām sure he meant there are smelly lesions on his _fool_.