# What is "threadshitting" v.2? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [December 31, 2020, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362 "2020-12-31T16:42:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2020, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/1 "2020-12-31T16:42:42Z")
In this thread: > [@Help me keep my hostage alive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-keep-my-hostage-alive/929355/5): > > Please don’t threadshit. If you think a thread is inappropriate, report it. @Colibri claimed that I and another poster were “threadshitting.” I completely understand what @Colibri was trying to moderate and I agree. This is NOT about moderating the board. I am curious about the use of “threadshitting.” All of the definitions I see are nothing like what happened in that thread: > Threadshitting is threadjacking with intentionally vile content which includes extremely NSFW images… [SOURCE](https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=threadshit) And… > threadshit > > threadsh-tting is threadjacking with intentionally vile content which includes extremely nsfw images such as tubgirl, g–ts-, genital mutilation, murder and anything else that a mature, sane person would find offensive and/or disgusting. [SOURCE](https://definithing.com/threadshit/) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2020, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/2 "2020-12-31T16:47:52Z")
In SDMB parlance, threadshitting seems to be definied more broadly than the definitions you found. AIUI, we use the term any time someone makes posts intended to sidetrack the discussion or be obnoxious. An example would be when someone makes a post in an RIP thread to criticize the dead celebrity. ---
**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:** [December 31, 2020, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/3 "2020-12-31T16:51:07Z")
I’m not sure why you didn’t link to the [definition of threadshitting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registration-agreement-rules-and-faq/823562/2) used on the board, which I informed you of when we corresponded by PM. > [@](#): > > **Threadshitting** – Do not threadshit. Threadshitting is belittling the topic or the people discussing it. It typically takes the form of a dismissive comment, like “Who cares?” or “This is stupid!” or similar. The implication of the threadshitter is that discussion of such a topic is beneath them, and should be beneath everybody else. If you really do think that a discussion is inane or pointless, the appropriate thing to do is to not participate in it. And, of course, if you see someone threadshitting, please do not respond with personal insults or accusations: instead, REPORT the post to a Moderator. Saying that the question in that thread was “creepy” was belittling the topic, and fits the board definition. You are evidently nit-picking the fact that the definition used on the board for several decades does not match a few other definitions you found on the internet. At the risk of threadshitting 😉 , I don’t see how this is particularly useful. We are not going to change our definition. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2020, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/4 "2020-12-31T16:52:11Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I’m not sure why you didn’t link to the [definition of threadshitting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registration-agreement-rules-and-faq/823562/2) used on the board, which I informed you of when we corresponded by PM. I didn’t link it because it is your own made-up definition that does not comport with the what the whole rest of world thinks that means. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2020, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/5 "2020-12-31T16:53:13Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I didn’t link it because it is your own made-up definition. You are aware that Urban Dictionary is ALSO made-up, right? Anyone can submit a definition. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2020, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/6 "2020-12-31T16:53:25Z")
On the SDMB, the only definition that matters is the one that the SDMB made up. That’s like going to a foreign country and refusing to speak their language, or even acknowledge it, because most of the rest of the world doesn’t speak it either. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2020, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/7 "2020-12-31T16:53:53Z")
Sure but it is reflecting the common understanding. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2020, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/8 "2020-12-31T16:54:30Z")
Look at the thumbs-up and thumbs-down. More people disagree with that definition then agree with it. ---
**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:** [December 31, 2020, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/9 "2020-12-31T16:54:35Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I didn’t link it because it is your own made-up definition. I didn’t make it up. It was originally formulated long long before I became a moderator. As I said, it has been the definition used on this board for probably at least 18 years. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2020, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/10 "2020-12-31T16:55:18Z")
Sure…their board…they can do whatever they want. But on a board that usually cares about definitions you’d think this would count too. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2020, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/11 "2020-12-31T16:56:18Z")
Look, this one has more thumbs-up and matches SDMB definition: > **[Urban Dictionary: thread-shitting](https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=thread-shitting)** > > Posting off topic messages to a discussion forum. Usually, but not always, with purposeful intent to derail the discussion. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2020, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/12 "2020-12-31T16:56:32Z")
It _was_ funny that **Colibri** admonished the threadshit, but then immediately agreed with it. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2020, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/13 "2020-12-31T16:58:06Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I didn’t make it up. It was originally formulated long long before I became a moderator. As I said, it has been the definition used on this board for probably at least 18 years. And as we have found on this board with arguments over definitions of things like “decimate” we learn that words change. They go in the dictionary and no amount of, “But it used to be otherwise” gets you anywhere. The definition has changed assuming it was as you say it was 18 years ago. Of all places the SDMB should get that. ---
**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:** [December 31, 2020, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/14 "2020-12-31T17:00:09Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > It _was_ funny that **Colibri** admonished the threadshit, but then immediately agreed with it. No I didn’t. The threadshit was to say the thread was creepy. I did not express any agreement with that. Given that two people had already backhandedly insulted the OP I added instructions that anyone who felt that way should take it to the Pit. That did not mean I myself thought the OP should be Pitted. ---
**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:** [December 31, 2020, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/15 "2020-12-31T17:02:26Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > The definition has changed assuming it was as you say it was 18 years ago. Cite? I’m saying that has been the definition on this board since it began being used on this board. You have shown there are other definitions, but completely failed to demonstrate they are the only ones. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2020, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/16 "2020-12-31T17:02:52Z")
In a code of laws or list of rules, definitions are prescriptive, not descriptive. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2020, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/17 "2020-12-31T17:03:28Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > You have shown there are other definitions, but completely failed to demonstrate they are the only ones. How do you propose that I prove they are the “only ones?” And do you really need a lesson on how language changes and definitions change? ---
**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:** [December 31, 2020, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/18 "2020-12-31T17:04:35Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > How do you propose that I prove they are the “only ones?” Actually, you can’t, since it has been proved that they aren’t. Nor have you shown that definitions have changed. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2020, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/19 "2020-12-31T17:05:58Z")
We usually go with the common vernacular. Which I have shown. You want to use an archaic form. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2020, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362/20 "2020-12-31T17:07:15Z")
Dude. It’s the definition that this community has had for the term for a long time. Regardless of whether or not it’s how the term is used _elsewhere_, it’s still valid _here_. Your argument is like if you went to a town where they call a submarine sandwich a “semi”, and where that’s the term that they’ve used for decades. Locals know what a “semi” is, and even if that term isn’t used anywhere else for a sub, it’s still entirely valid _there_. Telling the people in town “that’s not the definition for that word” is incorrect, _in that town_. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362.md?page=2)