Adam Knott
@nodevolucion.bsky.social
Writer. Progressive. Music lover. Strategist. SWFC fan. Gamer.
And obv I get yelled at because people see someone in the comments and think I'm *defending* the OP, but nah, they can get in the bin, this "then everyone clapped" mentality is annoying af.
February 14, 2026 at 5:43 PM
And obv I get yelled at because people see someone in the comments and think I'm *defending* the OP, but nah, they can get in the bin, this "then everyone clapped" mentality is annoying af.
Yeah, people are within their rights to not like profanity. Which was what I thought was going on at first.
I was/am just trying to separate the dislike of strong language from the insinuation that the OP was saying something sexual, because conflating the two isn't helpful.
I was/am just trying to separate the dislike of strong language from the insinuation that the OP was saying something sexual, because conflating the two isn't helpful.
February 14, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Yeah, people are within their rights to not like profanity. Which was what I thought was going on at first.
I was/am just trying to separate the dislike of strong language from the insinuation that the OP was saying something sexual, because conflating the two isn't helpful.
I was/am just trying to separate the dislike of strong language from the insinuation that the OP was saying something sexual, because conflating the two isn't helpful.
And yeah, that goes both ways.
I see why American people interpreted it the way they did.
I see why the OP didn't check themselves because it's such a natural part of many British dialects.
I think everyone should acknowledge both sides of that and not pretend their language is the Default.
I see why American people interpreted it the way they did.
I see why the OP didn't check themselves because it's such a natural part of many British dialects.
I think everyone should acknowledge both sides of that and not pretend their language is the Default.
February 14, 2026 at 5:37 PM
And yeah, that goes both ways.
I see why American people interpreted it the way they did.
I see why the OP didn't check themselves because it's such a natural part of many British dialects.
I think everyone should acknowledge both sides of that and not pretend their language is the Default.
I see why American people interpreted it the way they did.
I see why the OP didn't check themselves because it's such a natural part of many British dialects.
I think everyone should acknowledge both sides of that and not pretend their language is the Default.
I'd argue it has *something* to do with what's being discussed, in the sense we're debating to what extent we should change our natural language to not be misunderstood by people we don't often interact with.
I think respecting dialects and accents is a genuinely important progressive principle.
I think respecting dialects and accents is a genuinely important progressive principle.
February 14, 2026 at 5:33 PM
I'd argue it has *something* to do with what's being discussed, in the sense we're debating to what extent we should change our natural language to not be misunderstood by people we don't often interact with.
I think respecting dialects and accents is a genuinely important progressive principle.
I think respecting dialects and accents is a genuinely important progressive principle.
Yeah bang on, that's what I wrote, word for word.
February 14, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Yeah bang on, that's what I wrote, word for word.
The fact I understand the nuance better than you do, and that you're irritated by that, doesn't surprise me at all.
February 14, 2026 at 3:20 PM
The fact I understand the nuance better than you do, and that you're irritated by that, doesn't surprise me at all.
I don't think you wonder much.
February 14, 2026 at 3:19 PM
I don't think you wonder much.
Scottish, actually, if you go search "did they fuck" you'll find the quote tweet and the person is talking about "Glesga" which is slang for Glasgow.
Glad to help you out with all of this.
There's a *whole world out there*.
Glad to help you out with all of this.
There's a *whole world out there*.
February 14, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Scottish, actually, if you go search "did they fuck" you'll find the quote tweet and the person is talking about "Glesga" which is slang for Glasgow.
Glad to help you out with all of this.
There's a *whole world out there*.
Glad to help you out with all of this.
There's a *whole world out there*.
Cool. The three mean the same thing in British English. So glad we ironed that out.
February 14, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Cool. The three mean the same thing in British English. So glad we ironed that out.
Would you say the same thing about someone who said "like hell they did"
?
?
February 14, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Would you say the same thing about someone who said "like hell they did"
?
?
Probably, possibly and unintentionally. Sure. But not unfailingly.
You're *definitely* capable of being deliberately rude, I'll give you that.
BTW: language is a function of identity and colloquial language especially is a tool of solidarity and resistance against power structures.
You're *definitely* capable of being deliberately rude, I'll give you that.
BTW: language is a function of identity and colloquial language especially is a tool of solidarity and resistance against power structures.
February 14, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Probably, possibly and unintentionally. Sure. But not unfailingly.
You're *definitely* capable of being deliberately rude, I'll give you that.
BTW: language is a function of identity and colloquial language especially is a tool of solidarity and resistance against power structures.
You're *definitely* capable of being deliberately rude, I'll give you that.
BTW: language is a function of identity and colloquial language especially is a tool of solidarity and resistance against power structures.
Yeah I literally thought it was just about being a "then everyone clapped" dickhead, which I think we can all agree on lol.
February 14, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Yeah I literally thought it was just about being a "then everyone clapped" dickhead, which I think we can all agree on lol.
Okay but none of that is what happened here.
OP would have no way of knowing how that would be construed.
Nobody said to the OP "that doesn't mean the same thing where we're from".
In fact nobody even *considered* it as a possibility, did they?
Quite literally divided by a common language.
OP would have no way of knowing how that would be construed.
Nobody said to the OP "that doesn't mean the same thing where we're from".
In fact nobody even *considered* it as a possibility, did they?
Quite literally divided by a common language.
February 14, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Okay but none of that is what happened here.
OP would have no way of knowing how that would be construed.
Nobody said to the OP "that doesn't mean the same thing where we're from".
In fact nobody even *considered* it as a possibility, did they?
Quite literally divided by a common language.
OP would have no way of knowing how that would be construed.
Nobody said to the OP "that doesn't mean the same thing where we're from".
In fact nobody even *considered* it as a possibility, did they?
Quite literally divided by a common language.
Packed full of manners, yeah.
February 14, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Packed full of manners, yeah.
My partner is American *and* I studied linguistics at uni and it took me a good ten minutes to work out how people were interpreting this, because it's a part of my dialect too.
February 14, 2026 at 2:18 PM
My partner is American *and* I studied linguistics at uni and it took me a good ten minutes to work out how people were interpreting this, because it's a part of my dialect too.
Obviously not.
Do you think that's a gotcha?
If you speak to someone from outside the US, do you Google every turn of phrase to make sure it won't be wildly misconstrued?
If not, why not?
Do you think that's a gotcha?
If you speak to someone from outside the US, do you Google every turn of phrase to make sure it won't be wildly misconstrued?
If not, why not?
February 14, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Obviously not.
Do you think that's a gotcha?
If you speak to someone from outside the US, do you Google every turn of phrase to make sure it won't be wildly misconstrued?
If not, why not?
Do you think that's a gotcha?
If you speak to someone from outside the US, do you Google every turn of phrase to make sure it won't be wildly misconstrued?
If not, why not?
I think that's an interesting & fair point. And generally the burden is on the communicator.
But I don't think you can flatten language this way. Colloquial language always runs into barriers when shared with outsider groups.
The language isn't malicious or even reckless. Just not universal.
But I don't think you can flatten language this way. Colloquial language always runs into barriers when shared with outsider groups.
The language isn't malicious or even reckless. Just not universal.
February 14, 2026 at 2:01 PM
I think that's an interesting & fair point. And generally the burden is on the communicator.
But I don't think you can flatten language this way. Colloquial language always runs into barriers when shared with outsider groups.
The language isn't malicious or even reckless. Just not universal.
But I don't think you can flatten language this way. Colloquial language always runs into barriers when shared with outsider groups.
The language isn't malicious or even reckless. Just not universal.
"fuck" and "hell" are literally interchangeable in this context in colloquial British English. That's what I'm telling you.
So unless your point is "people shouldn't swear in comments on posts about kids"?
In which case, you do you.
But then some Americans think that "hell" is a curse word? So...
So unless your point is "people shouldn't swear in comments on posts about kids"?
In which case, you do you.
But then some Americans think that "hell" is a curse word? So...
February 14, 2026 at 1:54 PM
"fuck" and "hell" are literally interchangeable in this context in colloquial British English. That's what I'm telling you.
So unless your point is "people shouldn't swear in comments on posts about kids"?
In which case, you do you.
But then some Americans think that "hell" is a curse word? So...
So unless your point is "people shouldn't swear in comments on posts about kids"?
In which case, you do you.
But then some Americans think that "hell" is a curse word? So...
You're oblivious to your misunderstanding of cultural nuance and it's feeding an unearned superiority complex.
You've zero evidence that I don't have a sense of propriety, and it's not true.
You're just essentially getting angry and moralistic about the use of swear words.
You've zero evidence that I don't have a sense of propriety, and it's not true.
You're just essentially getting angry and moralistic about the use of swear words.
February 14, 2026 at 1:47 PM
You're oblivious to your misunderstanding of cultural nuance and it's feeding an unearned superiority complex.
You've zero evidence that I don't have a sense of propriety, and it's not true.
You're just essentially getting angry and moralistic about the use of swear words.
You've zero evidence that I don't have a sense of propriety, and it's not true.
You're just essentially getting angry and moralistic about the use of swear words.
Lmao, okay.
It's impossible to explain to someone with no grasp of linguistics whatsoever and no interest in it.
Do you understand this is not saying "Did they then have intercourse?" It's using "fuck" as a replacement for "hell", it's literally the same as "like fuck they did".
It's impossible to explain to someone with no grasp of linguistics whatsoever and no interest in it.
Do you understand this is not saying "Did they then have intercourse?" It's using "fuck" as a replacement for "hell", it's literally the same as "like fuck they did".
February 14, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Lmao, okay.
It's impossible to explain to someone with no grasp of linguistics whatsoever and no interest in it.
Do you understand this is not saying "Did they then have intercourse?" It's using "fuck" as a replacement for "hell", it's literally the same as "like fuck they did".
It's impossible to explain to someone with no grasp of linguistics whatsoever and no interest in it.
Do you understand this is not saying "Did they then have intercourse?" It's using "fuck" as a replacement for "hell", it's literally the same as "like fuck they did".
Holy shit, the world doesn't revolve around Americans.
Look, I don't wanna be friends with the OP either.
But this is genuinely the equivalent of me interpreting your "fuck that" as a sexual threat and then putting the blame on you.
It's a colloquialism. But sure, you "call BS" based on what?
Look, I don't wanna be friends with the OP either.
But this is genuinely the equivalent of me interpreting your "fuck that" as a sexual threat and then putting the blame on you.
It's a colloquialism. But sure, you "call BS" based on what?
February 14, 2026 at 1:28 PM
Holy shit, the world doesn't revolve around Americans.
Look, I don't wanna be friends with the OP either.
But this is genuinely the equivalent of me interpreting your "fuck that" as a sexual threat and then putting the blame on you.
It's a colloquialism. But sure, you "call BS" based on what?
Look, I don't wanna be friends with the OP either.
But this is genuinely the equivalent of me interpreting your "fuck that" as a sexual threat and then putting the blame on you.
It's a colloquialism. But sure, you "call BS" based on what?
Exactly what is bullshit?
February 14, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Exactly what is bullshit?
Sorry but this is just not understanding how language works culturally.
This phrase is 0% sexual to a British person. 0%. It is an antagonistic thing to say, but no more than that.
The "fuck" is an emphasis thing in this context. It literally just means "did that really happen though?"
This phrase is 0% sexual to a British person. 0%. It is an antagonistic thing to say, but no more than that.
The "fuck" is an emphasis thing in this context. It literally just means "did that really happen though?"
February 14, 2026 at 9:51 AM
Sorry but this is just not understanding how language works culturally.
This phrase is 0% sexual to a British person. 0%. It is an antagonistic thing to say, but no more than that.
The "fuck" is an emphasis thing in this context. It literally just means "did that really happen though?"
This phrase is 0% sexual to a British person. 0%. It is an antagonistic thing to say, but no more than that.
The "fuck" is an emphasis thing in this context. It literally just means "did that really happen though?"
You can be 100% certain. "Rude, not insane" is a good way of putting it. There's obviously a language disconnect here.
February 14, 2026 at 9:47 AM
You can be 100% certain. "Rude, not insane" is a good way of putting it. There's obviously a language disconnect here.