5 ms·

I think it's a really awesome idea. As others have pointed out, "what the fuck" is the right way to say it. More common than that these days is "WTF" (the abbr

I think it's a really awesome idea. As others have pointed out, "what the fuck" is the right way to say it. More common than that these days is "WTF" (the abbreviation). This allows you to get the same point across without using profanity. (Keep in mind that in some environments like schools or corporations, sites with profanity can get flagged and blocked.) So maybe "WTF is ___ in ___?"

j2d2 18y ago
I gotta disagree about "what the fuck" being the right way to say it. I am not concerned about the rebellious nature of cursing, but I am bothered by using words that contribute so little to the meaning. I've heard arguments that they serve to express things in a more emotional manner. Like anything, they've been so over used that the emotional enhancement is diluted to simply being a socially rebellious expression. Edit: On this topic, I think people, at some level, are aware of this. That's why it's not as commonly found in written word vs. spoken word.
- tptacek 18y ago
  The nice thing about it here is that it very effectively conveys the frustration that underlies the value proposition for the site.
  - SapphireSun 18y ago
    At some level I would like to use this sort of site for the humor value. It not only sympathizes with me; it empathizes with me AND works to solve my problem - so long as it works right. If it doesn't I'd be adding a few more colorful words to the mix :-) Edit: Grammar
- jsdalton 18y ago
  Oh, I think what I meant was "how the fuck" was not idiomatic English, and that what he meant to say was "what the fuck." I more meant the "proper" way to say the phrase he was referring to.
- jcl 18y ago
  Of course, if you didn't have this service, you'd have to RTFM.
  - j2d2 18y ago
    Which means Read The Faq and Manual... :)
russell 18y ago
Among younger people and HN readers it's no big deal, but among other groups it's highly offensive: older, non-technical, professional, parents, probably women in general, etc. Obscenity can spice up writing, but in technical essays it makes the writing look unprofessional. I would hesitate to send a link to your site to a manager or woman that I did not know well.
jodrellblank 18y ago
The domain xsyinz.com is available...

j2d2 18y ago

I gotta disagree about "what the fuck" being the right way to say it. I am not concerned about the rebellious nature of cursing, but I am bothered by using words that contribute so little to the meaning. I've heard arguments that they serve to express things in a more emotional manner. Like anything, they've been so over used that the emotional enhancement is diluted to simply being a socially rebellious expression. Edit: On this topic, I think people, at some level, are aware of this. That's why it's not as commonly found in written word vs. spoken word.

tptacek 18y ago
The nice thing about it here is that it very effectively conveys the frustration that underlies the value proposition for the site.
- SapphireSun 18y ago
  At some level I would like to use this sort of site for the humor value. It not only sympathizes with me; it empathizes with me AND works to solve my problem - so long as it works right. If it doesn't I'd be adding a few more colorful words to the mix :-) Edit: Grammar
jsdalton 18y ago
Oh, I think what I meant was "how the fuck" was not idiomatic English, and that what he meant to say was "what the fuck." I more meant the "proper" way to say the phrase he was referring to.
jcl 18y ago
Of course, if you didn't have this service, you'd have to RTFM.
- j2d2 18y ago
  Which means Read The Faq and Manual... :)

russell 18y ago

Among younger people and HN readers it's no big deal, but among other groups it's highly offensive: older, non-technical, professional, parents, probably women in general, etc. Obscenity can spice up writing, but in technical essays it makes the writing look unprofessional. I would hesitate to send a link to your site to a manager or woman that I did not know well.

jodrellblank 18y ago

The domain xsyinz.com is available...