# What were you THINKING? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 13, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532 "2023-10-13T19:36:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 375
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7871 "2026-08-08T21:54:23Z")
If that’s the case, then you probably shouldn’t be posting. The SDMB is not your punching bag. ---
**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:** [August 8, 2026, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7872 "2026-08-08T21:57:46Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > If that’s the case, then you probably shouldn’t be posting. Well, maybe not currently. But please don’t just leave in a minute and a huff; you’re a valuable contributor here. Take a break if you must, but then come back. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7873 "2026-08-08T22:00:58Z")
Oh, absolutely. Take a break, @Johanna, and then come back. This board should be your happy place. I know it’s mine. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7874 "2026-08-08T22:11:08Z")
Link to older discussion of the idiom in question: > [@You have got another "thing" or "think" coming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931): > > Hello, I would like to know what Dopers think about that expression. I just saw it on another forum and really makes me wonder. Is this expression “you have got another think coming” or “you have got another thing coming”? To my non-native ears, “think coming” sounds a little archaic. TL;DR the ones profferring the one version thought the other side was crazy or at least that their preferred version was totally nonsensical. I am firmly on the “thing” side, and the first time I ever heard the “think” alternative was in the linked thread. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7875 "2026-08-08T22:18:48Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > So who gives a fuck about Judas Priest in the first place? _Point of Entry_ is a great album! ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7876 "2026-08-08T22:36:40Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > So who gives a fuck about Judas Priest in the first place? Well, the record sold millions of copies. So it’s really a question of saturation of the culture, not caring. I’m sorry to hear about your stress. It’s threatening everyone else’s rights at the moment, too. > [@Gatopescado](#): > > _Point of Entry_ is a great album! They also did a nifty version of “Diamonds and Rust”. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/B5GgQCaGgmk/maxresdefault.jpg "Judas Priest - Diamonds and Rust (Official Audio)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5GgQCaGgmk) ---
**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:** [August 8, 2026, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7877 "2026-08-08T22:51:59Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > I’m sorry to hear about your stress. It’s threatening everyone else’s rights at the moment, too. Yeah, there’s a reason they’re referred to as “human” rights. Offenses against those rights are offenses against all humans. And I favor “think”, because that phrase is only ever used together with “if \_\_\_\_ thinks that”. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7878 "2026-08-08T22:53:50Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Yeah, there’s a reason they’re referred to as “human” rights. Offenses against those rights are offenses against all humans. Yes. > [@Chronos](#): > > And I favor “think”, because that phrase is only ever used together with “if \_\_\_\_ thinks that”. I see the logic, but as I said Rob Halford kinda ditched that in the 80s. I can live with either. ---
**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:** [August 8, 2026, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7879 "2026-08-08T23:45:12Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > The SDMB is not your punching bag. Well, the Pit kind of is… ---
**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:** [August 8, 2026, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7880 "2026-08-08T23:52:26Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > And I favor “think”, because that phrase is only ever used together with “if \_\_\_\_ thinks that”. You said that last time. > [@You have got another "thing" or "think" coming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/53): > > No, it’s not. In fact, I don’t know that I’ve ever heard it paired specifically with the word “think”. “Thought”, yes, but not “think”. And often something else entirely, like “wanted” or “planned on”. “Thing” works as a response to all of these, and has the advantage of not sounding absurd. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7881 "2026-08-08T23:53:03Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > It’s impossible to separate any discussion from the fascist menace currently destroying everything we care about. As others have said, take a break. You may not understand but other people have issues as well. ---
**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:** [August 9, 2026, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7882 "2026-08-09T00:57:29Z")
Huh. Well, I guess I maintain consistency in my thinks, even over a fortyear. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7883 "2026-08-09T01:25:01Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > > [@scabpicker](#): > > > > I’m sorry to hear about your stress. It’s threatening everyone else’s rights at the moment, too. > > Yeah, there’s a reason they’re referred to as “human” rights. Offenses against those rights are offenses against all humans. Yes, but some of us are much more threatened than others at the moment, and @Johanna is much more likely to be personally assaulted or injured by government thugs or rules than most of us. I think some of the states will attempt to protect you, fwiw. My son has put about half the states on his no-go list. > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > > [@Alessan](#): > > > > The SDMB is not your punching bag. > > Well, the Pit kind of is… Yeah, the pit is a fine place to lash out. (Although you run the risk of others lashing back.) ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7884 "2026-08-09T01:57:21Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Yes, but some of us are much more threatened than others at the moment, and @Johanna is much more likely to be personally assaulted or injured by government thugs or rules than most of us. Yeah, and I have a nonbinary sibling living in a very red state as well so I understand. But a lot of people are facing severe problems all over the world. I’ve got a good friend from Uyghur who is too afraid to go back because of things she’s posted online. She knows people who have “disappeared” for similar reasons. One of the reasons we uprooted ourselves from Taiwan the real possibility of China actually carrying through with its threats to invade Taiwan. I know a lot of people who have left their extended families and friends to live in another country. Japan has is changing rules for permanent residency (that’s what the rest of the world calls “green cards”) and entrepreneurial visas so a lot of residents who have lived here for years are faced with being forced to leave, losing their livelihoods and retirement. Yes, what is happening in America really sucks, but terrible things are happening all over the world. If things get one angry enough to lash out randomly, then its not fair to others. ---
**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:** [August 9, 2026, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7885 "2026-08-09T02:06:23Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > And I favor “think”, because that phrase is only ever used together with “if \_\_\_\_ thinks that”. That was, indeed, likely the original form, and the use of “think” as a noun is acceptable usage although it sounds a little archaic to modern ears. The phrase “… you have another thing coming” is likely the result of linguistic drift, like “I could care less”, but it is in fact the far more common variant today. And I think I good case could made for it: “If you think [_that continuing this behaviour is OK_] then you have another thing coming [_there will be consequences_]”. > [@Johanna](#): > > I have a lot of unresolved rage about the threats to my human rights right now, and I’m lashing out randomly. It’s impossible to separate any discussion from the fascist menace currently destroying everything we care about. I think most of us share those feelings, even those of us in other countries being imperiled by the Orange Menace. > [@Alessan](#): > > If that’s the case, then you probably shouldn’t be posting. The SDMB is not your punching bag. I think that’s a bit overly harsh. ---
**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:** [August 9, 2026, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7886 "2026-08-09T03:31:58Z")
Jeez. I guess “thunk” is right out. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7887 "2026-08-09T03:33:38Z")
Sorry, that was inappropriate. Taking a break sounds like a good idea. Also, I say “thunk” just for fun. ---
**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:** [August 9, 2026, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7888 "2026-08-09T03:52:47Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > Taking a break sounds like a good idea. Please don’t. You’re a valuable contributor and I always enjoy your posts. > [@Johanna](#): > > Also, I say “thunk” just for fun. “Thunk” is grammatically correct in specific constructions like “who woulda thunk it?”. And variants like, “who in tarnation coulda thunk it?”. All standard (American) English, about which I could care less. Literally.\* \* I note from watching police bodycam videos that the word “literally” is very popular with young women being arrested. Expressions like “I literally wasn’t even there”, or “I literally was at home at the time”, or “I literally didn’t know the guy” crop up all the time. Apparently a very literary demographic. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7889 "2026-08-09T04:24:27Z")
I haven’t heard “think” instead of “thing” until just now. ---
**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:** [August 9, 2026, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7890 "2026-08-09T05:37:56Z")
Well, for what it’s worth, remember _this_ thread is about complaining about a useful, valuable poster who is acting out of character. 🙂 So, as I said long ago, being complained about here is often a sort of backhanded compliment! Well, a tarnished honor to be sure. So, I’ll echo the sentiments of other posters here. If you’re emotionally drained to the point you’re lashing out take care of yourself **first**. If it means taking a break here, that’s fine, but maybe (?) just take a break from P&E, Breaking News, and the Pit for a while. Enjoy yourself away from things that add to the stress. I know quite a few posters avoid P&E like the plague at the moment for that exact reason. Or take a break and spend some time IRL doing tactile things you enjoy. More physical time, less brain time helps my anxiety occasionally. Of course… sometimes the tactile activity is cooking, followed by stress eating, which is a non-ideal coping mechanism when I need to loose weight! But as I said earlier, put yourself first. And I (and I suspect most everyone here) wishes we could make the world a safer place for you and yours and are going to keep doing our small bits to do so. And of course, if you do get frustrated with us and the world and sling some mud, we may chastise you a bit - the same way I might yell at my family when they are lashing out. Doesn’t mean I don’t still care. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532.md?page=374) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532.md?page=376)