When is it a good idea NOT to engage?

twat (n)
a man who is a stupid fool
Synonyms: fathead, goof, bozo, jackass, goose, cuckoo, zany

I think we can assume that "man" really means "person"

You can't help but make them.

What you should do though, is keep an open mind long enough to get enough information to base a sounder judgement on.

I've been called a troll here, many times. Because I was passionate about an issue....and up against a Pile-On. I see a lot of other people in the same position, at times. So I (try) to reserve judgment on what sticks to the screen. It's a difficult situation to be in, (unless you're heartless and callous, and have no feelings about anyone or any cause)...so it's really hard to say what should or should not have left your keyboard and hit the screen.

I personally, do not feel like letting the general population of the forum decide whether I am "credulous" or a "troll" or "mentally competent" or not. No offense.

Chacun a son gout.

Pep (You'd better be prepared to be disappointed . . . or boring.)

Gosh. Thanks for the synonyms. In that case, I've engaged a twat here, many times.

lol. I discovered that meaning in the dictionary not many years ago, although I remember it as a sort of village idiot.

I don't take any meds.

My brand of insanity originates naturally... today and everyday.

It meant something entirely different when I was growing up in Southern California. The girls had one and the boys didn't. It was often used as an insult, girl or boy.

Which is where I still live.......so, that's it, eh, it's a 'Southern California' thing. My learned definition is the same as yours.

I can't believe everyone here is a blind fool that cannot see that Dinosauroid-like Alien Reptiles are dominating the World, that the British Royal Family are reptilian aliens, and that they can shapeshift and must consume human blood to maintain their human appearance.

You will all rue the day you mocked true believers when we are safe on our space ark while you are stuck on Earth as it is overrun by the Dinosauroids!

This is just paranoid drivel. It is clear that lycnthropy has run rampant in the Royal Family for generations, explaining all of the observations that you credit to "Dinosaurs.'

I, for one, welcome our new alien overlords.

(and as a So Cal native, I too understand the local definition of the aforementioned word as others here do...)

Melita, I don't believe I claimed you were making "specious accusations". I was merely pointing out that meeting face to face is not a requirement for making judgements about someone.

You, yourself proved my case. I imagine you've never personally met Pixieplumb, yet in your original post you said, "This says a lot more about yourself than it does about anyone you are seeking to denigrate."

If you were to follow your own advice, you might have demonstrated a little more courtesy and self-restraint by meeting Pixieplumb before passing this judgement.

Interesting, indeed.

All this talk about lizard people coincides with the remake of the 80's cult classic TV show "V", which premiers this week! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQoSCEMzJYE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhtkV5622Yo&feature=related

it's part of the new SL/LL corporate tie-in campaign.

First Gossip Girl .. now alien lizard people. I knew the conspiracy ran deep!

Which in the minds of some people is a documentary film.

Which was thoroughly debunked by yet another Dr Who episode, only this one had Tom Baker and a hot chick in it.

Phil, they've derailed your thread!

I smiled at that. Reminded me of a word heard but not written - "smeg"

"REAL vampires"???? What are you smoking????

Not at all a California thing, it had both meanings when I was a kid in middle England 35 years ago. Also widely used as a verb - to twat someone is to thump them.

Hmm..........I grew up in Texas and Arkansas with the last 12 years in Southern California and that's what I always thought the word meant too.

It ain't just a CA thing, I guess.

To the topic. I'll debate issues that are important to me. I know I won't change anyone's mind that has differing views but, at least, I can state my case to those un-decideds who might be "listening in". I'll also defend myself and my opinion when challenged. There are a couple people on these forums who have a very irritating habit of doing a point by point ripping apart of someone's post..........for the express purpose of putting that person down in the eyes of others. I know you've seen them......quoting each point and attempting to turn the meaning completely around. I have stooped to that level on a few occassions........but I try not to. However, when someone calls me a stalker simply because I posted my opinions on a subject that I've been on the opposite side of the same subject in past I tend to get mean..........I don't like that.

And yes I do form very definite opinions of certain posters after reading their posts/threads for three years. I think everyone does that whether they admit it or not.

Whatever about sexual predilections, their music was First Class. Love that churchy little chord sequence in We Can Work It Out.

By the way, you're all wrong. All of you. About everything. And you're silly people too.


Actually you're both right. Damn, there goes my argument.

In fact that meaning is a global thing, englishly speaking. There is plenty of evidence that, like the c-word, the t-word has been argot for the honey pot for centuries. Neither the c-word nor the t-word are offensive in themselves and I'm particularly fond of the c-word when applied in the appropriate context.

Phil's floccinaucinihilipilificatory definition simply reflects contemporary usage of the c-word synonym for the t-word, which is a secondary definition and what in fact makes either word objectionable when used to denigrate someone: owners of the actual c-part take it a bit personally when they hear some fool being compared to their pride and joy. Personally, I never quite understood that because I don't take offense on behalf of Mr Happy when I hear 'prick' or 'dickhead' being used offensively.

The t-word is indeed frequently used by Englanders in the way that Phil suggests but it really is just a softer version of the c-word. Folks get away with it because, like bugger and even frig, many native speakers remain ignorant of the actual meaning.

Its etymology derives from the Old English for a forest clearing.

Pep (If that helps?)