Quote: Lazzard @ 4th May 2023, 1:22 PMAnyway - "hope you choke" isn't a death threat.
That's the way I'd interpret it. Choking is a deadly act. I can see it as more benign if you were to tell Elon that you hoped he'd choke on his billions of dollars or his Starship - something ludicrous or impossible - but choking on food is the cause of death for many, many people.
Oh, for goodness sake.
Quote: Lazzard @ 4th May 2023, 1:40 PMOh, for goodness sake.
Perhaps it's more common in your country, but it is less so here, and it seems a bit nasty to my ears. Even Beaky admitted that it might have been too harsh.
Different strokes and all that, but I'd rather have a tooth pulled than spend my time sniping at politicians and individuals that rub me the wrong way. I wouldn't find it entertaining or cathartic in the least. It's not that difficult to disagree with someone while maintaining civility and respecting their right to their opinion - and you usually come across as a reasonable person, rather than an insufferable asshole.
Choke doesn't even mean die, does it? People choke on food or drink all the time, have a little cough, and feel better. 'Choke to death' is a different phrase.
Quote: zooo @ 4th May 2023, 1:55 PMChoke doesn't even mean die, does it? People choke on food or drink all the time, have a little cough, and feel better. 'Choke to death' is a different phrase.
Small objects here are often adorned with a "choking hazard" warning for small children. They're warning about the danger of death. And if a man on the street said he was going choke me, I would take it as intent to do me bodily harm.
"I hope you gag on it" would probably be a better and less dark phrase.
Quote: DaButt @ 4th May 2023, 2:01 PM"I hope you gag on it" would probably be a better and less dark phrase.
That's pretty well an exact translation of Beaky's phrase (to an English audience).
DaButt has a point. It might be everyday language here but taken literally in other countries/societies.
I would assume all or most of the Twitter employees are Americans or live there and would be shocked by such words.
If you get back, avoid saying 'jump off a cliff and such. The Americans are very literal.
Even if you take it literally, it's not a death threat since you've not actually threatening somebody. Merely hoping for something to happen. So Beaky has committed a Thought Crime.
Some Americans don't get the subtle nuances of the English language
For example, if I was to say I wish Donald Trump would get accidentally hit in the temple with a 3 wood and suffer a massive brain haemorrhage and die - Dabutt could possibly misinterpret this as malicious
Whereas I don't actually wish anything of the sort
A 3 iron would be better
Quote: lofthouse @ 4th May 2023, 3:12 PMSome Americans don't get the subtle nuances of the English language
Aye, there's the rub.
I had a post pulled on a Facebook site for owners of a particular brand of motorbike. A member posted that he had been offered a set of performance parts at around 10% of their maker's price. I suggested he bite their hand off :-)
Quote: lofthouse @ 4th May 2023, 3:12 PMSome Americans don't get the subtle nuances of the English language
"Speaking" of which - Love it! Sooo funny..............(Stay with it after the first minute!)
Quote: Stephen Goodlad @ 4th May 2023, 2:21 PMDaButt has a point. It might be everyday language here but taken literally in other countries/societies.
I would assume all or most of the Twitter employees are Americans or live there and would be shocked by such words.
Not necessarily shocked, but they might take it as a threatening or overly angry remark.
From today's news:
Nice
Quote: lofthouse @ 4th May 2023, 3:12 PMFor example, if I was to say I wish Donald Trump would get accidentally hit in the temple with a 3 wood and suffer a massive brain haemorrhage and die - Dabutt could possibly misinterpret this as malicious
Whereas I don't actually wish anything of the sort
A 3 iron would be better
Quote: Alfred J Kipper @ 4th May 2023, 3:20 AMNo offence Lofty but have you tried seeing someone about your obsession with the man? Why don't you just ignore him if he upsets you that much? All best with it.
Just saying...
On the plus side, I've got a lot more free time...