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> In the context when you're clearly referring to a person, it's clear the meaning is "Richard". It's not anymore clear than toot - if I say, "Hey Dick", it mi
by AsyncAwait 8y ago
> In the context when you're clearly referring to a person, it's clear the meaning is "Richard".
It's not anymore clear than toot - if I say, "Hey Dick", it might be the insult depending on the context. Now it's unlikely to be if the name is Richard, but since you can't really fart about stuff, it's unlikely that you're farting about your plans.
Ever wonder why "git" isn't very objectionable? Because it is an obscure British insult, not an American one.
- jamesrcole 8y agoIn every one of those cases the context makes the meaning clear. Nobody uses the phrasing "Hey Dick" for the insult. That would be either "Hey, you dick", or "Hey" followed by a long pause and then "Dick". "Git" -- as a name for the software -- is unobjectionable because it's obviously not calling anyone a git. The term "git" by itself isn't offensive. All very different from saying that someone tooted, or referring to their toots. Even if it's "Richard tooted about politics" the thing is that the only prexisting use of the verb "tooted" that applies to a person is the bodily function, so that association is always going to come up -- and remember also that for Mastodon to grow it has to bring in new people who are not familiar with it or its terminology, and first impressions are important.