Why? March 8, 2013 2:25 PM Subscribe
What's your goal when you use the word 'eponysterical' in a response?
I think you're trying to be funny, but I never get the joke.
Maybe that's because IRL I have a name a lot of the kids made fun of, when I was young.
I think you're trying to be funny, but I never get the joke.
Maybe that's because IRL I have a name a lot of the kids made fun of, when I was young.
So for example, if you made a comment about measles...
posted by pipeski at 2:27 PM on March 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by pipeski at 2:27 PM on March 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
I get that a lot when I jump in to offer something enthusiastically.
posted by ApathyGirl at 2:31 PM on March 8, 2013 [29 favorites]
posted by ApathyGirl at 2:31 PM on March 8, 2013 [29 favorites]
I think you're trying to be funny, but I never get the joke
Maybe they are fudging their answer, in a slightly feline way, in order to appear clever.
posted by chococat at 2:38 PM on March 8, 2013 [29 favorites]
Maybe they are fudging their answer, in a slightly feline way, in order to appear clever.
posted by chococat at 2:38 PM on March 8, 2013 [29 favorites]
The joke is that the name and the comment above it contrast with each other in an amusing way.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 2:39 PM on March 8, 2013
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 2:39 PM on March 8, 2013
I HAVE NOTICED A THING AND AM DRAWING YOUR ATTENTION TO THE THING I NOTICED.
posted by boo_radley at 2:40 PM on March 8, 2013 [12 favorites]
posted by boo_radley at 2:40 PM on March 8, 2013 [12 favorites]
So for example, if you made a comment about measles...
Or said something without giving it proper consideration.
posted by cjorgensen at 2:41 PM on March 8, 2013 [5 favorites]
Or said something without giving it proper consideration.
posted by cjorgensen at 2:41 PM on March 8, 2013 [5 favorites]
Or if boo_radley said he liked to play Scout in Team Fortress 2.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 2:43 PM on March 8, 2013 [22 favorites]
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 2:43 PM on March 8, 2013 [22 favorites]
Oh, I do. "Bonk! Uh, kind of a big deal"
also I stuff small toys in trees.
posted by boo_radley at 2:49 PM on March 8, 2013 [14 favorites]
also I stuff small toys in trees.
posted by boo_radley at 2:49 PM on March 8, 2013 [14 favorites]
Whenever in use the word "eponysterical" I mean to say that I have just seen two electronic ponies acting "in stereo," and I call to them, but my call to them is cut short because I am struck dumb by the beauty of those two electronic ponies as they voice their stereophonic "neigh!", and then I realize that I only have a split-second to tell you that and I must tell you in a single word so that we can both waste no time jumping on the backs of those two ponies and riding off across the fields together because I love you, I love you utterly and absolutely, and I want us to live and love and be together forever, and you are my only, my one true soulmate and if I should lose you I could never face another morning, and also I think you gave me genital warts.
posted by the quidnunc kid at 2:50 PM on March 8, 2013 [38 favorites]
posted by the quidnunc kid at 2:50 PM on March 8, 2013 [38 favorites]
The.
posted by laconic skeuomorph at 2:50 PM on March 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by laconic skeuomorph at 2:50 PM on March 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
Metafilter: I think you're trying to be funny, but I never get the joke.
posted by mazola at 3:05 PM on March 8, 2013 [28 favorites]
posted by mazola at 3:05 PM on March 8, 2013 [28 favorites]
What do people hope for? I assume a few easy favorites.
posted by absalom at 3:05 PM on March 8, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by absalom at 3:05 PM on March 8, 2013 [4 favorites]
Pertains to the spatial arrangement of e-ponies within a herd.
posted by Kabanos at 3:05 PM on March 8, 2013
posted by Kabanos at 3:05 PM on March 8, 2013
I read it as trying to convey roughly the same thing as when people comment something like, "MetaFilter: I think you're trying to be funny, but I never get the joke." Which is to say, "I belong here and I felt it important to let everybody know."
On preview, yes.
posted by cribcage at 3:07 PM on March 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
On preview, yes.
posted by cribcage at 3:07 PM on March 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
Yeah, I think it's super obnoxious and unfunny except on really rare occasions.
posted by empath at 3:13 PM on March 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by empath at 3:13 PM on March 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
FWIW I think this is a MetaFilterism. The antonym is eponyronical.
posted by carsonb at 3:13 PM on March 8, 2013
posted by carsonb at 3:13 PM on March 8, 2013
I am doing two things:
1) calling attention to a thematic connection between a username and post, and
2) using a term that is seen as unique to Metafilter in an attempt to highlight my group membership and thus add a measure of status and organization to my otherwise dull life.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 3:15 PM on March 8, 2013 [5 favorites]
1) calling attention to a thematic connection between a username and post, and
2) using a term that is seen as unique to Metafilter in an attempt to highlight my group membership and thus add a measure of status and organization to my otherwise dull life.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 3:15 PM on March 8, 2013 [5 favorites]
empath: "it's super obnoxious and unfunny except on really rare occasions."
Eponysterical!
posted by chavenet at 3:19 PM on March 8, 2013 [14 favorites]
Eponysterical!
posted by chavenet at 3:19 PM on March 8, 2013 [14 favorites]
I was just explaining the concept of eponysterical to a friend the other day, when she sent me a link to a video featuring Nigel Barker shilling for a dog adoption agency.
posted by stennieville at 3:43 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by stennieville at 3:43 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
I've never gotten the impression that people who use it are trying to be funny themselves, more like they've noticed something funny and want to point it out to everyone else. It's pretty normal to want to share funny things, isn't it?
posted by DestinationUnknown at 3:56 PM on March 8, 2013 [15 favorites]
posted by DestinationUnknown at 3:56 PM on March 8, 2013 [15 favorites]
They think they're being funny. They aren't.
I think I'm being funny. I'm not.
posted by phunniemee at 4:18 PM on March 8, 2013 [10 favorites]
I think I'm being funny. I'm not.
posted by phunniemee at 4:18 PM on March 8, 2013 [10 favorites]
So for example, if you made a comment about measles...
And then somebody says "eponysterical" I feel like my comment is being invalidated. Or my user name is being mocked. Or both.
posted by Rash at 4:21 PM on March 8, 2013
And then somebody says "eponysterical" I feel like my comment is being invalidated. Or my user name is being mocked. Or both.
posted by Rash at 4:21 PM on March 8, 2013
Joking relationship:
posted by benito.strauss at 4:32 PM on March 8, 2013 [12 favorites]
A joking relationship is a term applied by anthropologists to the institutionalised form of interaction between certain pairs of people in some societies.... it describes a kind of ritualised banter that takes place, for example between a man and his maternal mother-in-law in some South African tribal societies.We are aiming for the second, symmetrical type. Join in, it's fun.
Two main variations are described: an asymmetrical relationship where one party is required to take no offence at constant teasing or mocking by the other, and a symmetrical relationship where each party makes fun at the other's expense.
posted by benito.strauss at 4:32 PM on March 8, 2013 [12 favorites]
Seems like the whole thing is really rubbing you the wrong way.
posted by chococat at 4:38 PM on March 8, 2013 [18 favorites]
posted by chococat at 4:38 PM on March 8, 2013 [18 favorites]
I feel like my comment is being invalidated. Or my user name is being mocked. Or both.
I doubt your user name is being mocked, but it definitely can be used to make a dismissive joke about someone's comment rather than dealing with it substantively.
I can see where that would be an ongoing issue with your particular username.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 4:47 PM on March 8, 2013
I doubt your user name is being mocked, but it definitely can be used to make a dismissive joke about someone's comment rather than dealing with it substantively.
I can see where that would be an ongoing issue with your particular username.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 4:47 PM on March 8, 2013
I would also like to complain about this.
posted by grouse at 5:11 PM on March 8, 2013 [82 favorites]
posted by grouse at 5:11 PM on March 8, 2013 [82 favorites]
I feel like it would only be appropriate for me to come back here in a month and make a comment just before the thread closes.
posted by reprise the theme song and roll the credits at 5:16 PM on March 8, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by reprise the theme song and roll the credits at 5:16 PM on March 8, 2013 [4 favorites]
(actually no I'm not going to do that. partly because that gag has already had its moment.)
posted by reprise the theme song and roll the credits at 5:20 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by reprise the theme song and roll the credits at 5:20 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
yeah, i'm supposed to wait 4 months to comment in this thread. bah!
posted by ifjuly at 5:21 PM on March 8, 2013
posted by ifjuly at 5:21 PM on March 8, 2013
I have no plans at this time to make a post about pre-20th-century religious ceremonies. Sorry folks.
posted by A dead Quaker at 5:24 PM on March 8, 2013
posted by A dead Quaker at 5:24 PM on March 8, 2013
I agree that, at least in my experience, it's just pointing out that it's funny when a user's online name either directly enhances or contradicts the statement the user has just made. I don't think anyone means anything cruel by it. I also don't get the hate over it. They're just silly comments being shared among a community for fun.
posted by tzikeh at 5:29 PM on March 8, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by tzikeh at 5:29 PM on March 8, 2013 [7 favorites]
Is it too late to start from scratch?
posted by scratch at 5:30 PM on March 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by scratch at 5:30 PM on March 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
It is when a person's comment somehow references the username of the person making the comment that it is.
posted by iamkimiam at 5:39 PM on March 8, 2013 [17 favorites]
posted by iamkimiam at 5:39 PM on March 8, 2013 [17 favorites]
The friday night chats/mega-thread trend has returned... is it not so frowned upon now that there's more staff?
We had an unspoken rule that there are no major callouts on Fridays, so that our fearless mods get a break. It seemed to become a cultural norm. Are we veering away from that again? WHAT IS THE STANDARD? I kinda liked taking weekends off myself lest I miss a good challenge of ideas here on the grey.
posted by frecklefaerie at 5:47 PM on March 8, 2013
We had an unspoken rule that there are no major callouts on Fridays, so that our fearless mods get a break. It seemed to become a cultural norm. Are we veering away from that again? WHAT IS THE STANDARD? I kinda liked taking weekends off myself lest I miss a good challenge of ideas here on the grey.
posted by frecklefaerie at 5:47 PM on March 8, 2013
And then somebody says "eponysterical" I feel like my comment is being invalidated. Or my user name is being mocked. Or both.
I've never taken the "eponysterical" joke as being directed at either the comment or the commenter; it's simply a "look at this funny, happenstance conjunction"--like noticing that the headline on a newspaper is funny in conjunction with a picture sitting above it that actually belongs to a different story. If someone drew your attention to something like that you wouldn't think they were mocking either the headline or the picture, would you?
posted by yoink at 5:48 PM on March 8, 2013 [7 favorites]
I've never taken the "eponysterical" joke as being directed at either the comment or the commenter; it's simply a "look at this funny, happenstance conjunction"--like noticing that the headline on a newspaper is funny in conjunction with a picture sitting above it that actually belongs to a different story. If someone drew your attention to something like that you wouldn't think they were mocking either the headline or the picture, would you?
posted by yoink at 5:48 PM on March 8, 2013 [7 favorites]
Only comes close to happening for me on Sifl & Olly threads.
Or something something sock puppet.
posted by supercres at 6:00 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Or something something sock puppet.
posted by supercres at 6:00 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
It is when a person's comment somehow references the username of the person making the comment that it is.
posted by iamkimiam at 12:39 PM on March 9 [+] [!]
I see what you did there was funny.
posted by flabdablet at 6:00 PM on March 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by iamkimiam at 12:39 PM on March 9 [+] [!]
I see what you did there was funny.
posted by flabdablet at 6:00 PM on March 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
They think they're being funny. They aren't.
I suspect one's appetite for this kind of thing correlates pretty highly with one's appetite for puns. Some of us find "oh, look how this thing unexpectedly also relates to that thing" amusing and some of us don't. You know, like every other form of human expression.
I'm always surprised, though, at some people's particular hatred of in-jokes (which is a different thing and also manifest here and there in this thread). I mean, obviously there's a level at which they're a kind of barrier to outsiders and it's understandable that they're offensive when they're used deliberately to shut "outsiders" out of communication. But then I've really never seen that happen on Metafilter. But to object to them on principle because they're unoriginal or because they're "stale" or what have you just seems to misunderstand their purpose. Every community has these little talismans of belonging. Every family has its family jokes that need to be explained to your friends or significant others, every workplace, every profession has it's sets of shared references, its "remember the time whens" etc. These are the ways we reaffirm to each other our sense of belonging, our sense of shared history, our sense of continuity. So long as new members are warmly invited in to share that history and to make it their own, it seems to me entirely benign.
posted by yoink at 6:04 PM on March 8, 2013 [21 favorites]
I suspect one's appetite for this kind of thing correlates pretty highly with one's appetite for puns. Some of us find "oh, look how this thing unexpectedly also relates to that thing" amusing and some of us don't. You know, like every other form of human expression.
I'm always surprised, though, at some people's particular hatred of in-jokes (which is a different thing and also manifest here and there in this thread). I mean, obviously there's a level at which they're a kind of barrier to outsiders and it's understandable that they're offensive when they're used deliberately to shut "outsiders" out of communication. But then I've really never seen that happen on Metafilter. But to object to them on principle because they're unoriginal or because they're "stale" or what have you just seems to misunderstand their purpose. Every community has these little talismans of belonging. Every family has its family jokes that need to be explained to your friends or significant others, every workplace, every profession has it's sets of shared references, its "remember the time whens" etc. These are the ways we reaffirm to each other our sense of belonging, our sense of shared history, our sense of continuity. So long as new members are warmly invited in to share that history and to make it their own, it seems to me entirely benign.
posted by yoink at 6:04 PM on March 8, 2013 [21 favorites]
It's parasitic humor, and yes, it's irksome.
posted by fleacircus at 6:22 PM on March 8, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by fleacircus at 6:22 PM on March 8, 2013 [6 favorites]
I suspect one's appetite for this kind of thing correlates pretty highly with one's appetite for puns.
I suspect it correlates highly with your username too. If your username is "bullshit" having everything you write called eponysterical isn't quite as cute. In fact it comes off as a cheapshot.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 6:24 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
I get it a lot. I find it reasonably amusing.
posted by Existential Dread at 6:26 PM on March 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Existential Dread at 6:26 PM on March 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
If your username is "bullshit" having everything you write called eponysterical isn't quite as cute. In fact it comes off as a cheapshot.
Well, that's more of an argument for choosing your username carefully than against 'eponysterical!'
/has username that would be difficult to do that to
posted by jonmc at 6:27 PM on March 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
Well, that's more of an argument for choosing your username carefully than against 'eponysterical!'
/has username that would be difficult to do that to
posted by jonmc at 6:27 PM on March 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
Well, that's more of an argument for choosing your username carefully than against 'eponysterical!'
Hmm. That may be an argument for this particular meme being of the unwelcoming variety, tho.
A new user may not know that commenting on usernames is part of the local culture. And you can't change your username. And a new account costs money.
posted by reprise the theme song and roll the credits at 6:31 PM on March 8, 2013
Hmm. That may be an argument for this particular meme being of the unwelcoming variety, tho.
A new user may not know that commenting on usernames is part of the local culture. And you can't change your username. And a new account costs money.
posted by reprise the theme song and roll the credits at 6:31 PM on March 8, 2013
Another mystery solved!
posted by NoraCharles at 6:33 PM on March 8, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by NoraCharles at 6:33 PM on March 8, 2013 [7 favorites]
Well, that's more of an argument for choosing your username carefully than against 'eponysterical!'
You are such a jonmc, dude.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 6:36 PM on March 8, 2013
You are such a jonmc, dude.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 6:36 PM on March 8, 2013
Thank You.
posted by jonmc at 6:37 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by jonmc at 6:37 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm patient. I know you'll eventually make a post or comment about some sort of restroom DJ, and I'll be ready.
posted by reprise the theme song and roll the credits at 6:42 PM on March 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by reprise the theme song and roll the credits at 6:42 PM on March 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
So for example, if you made a comment about measles...
Or an extreme allergic reaction to something, but that would be trumped by the 2nd order word joke "epipenysterical."
posted by ctmf at 6:59 PM on March 8, 2013 [13 favorites]
Or an extreme allergic reaction to something, but that would be trumped by the 2nd order word joke "epipenysterical."
posted by ctmf at 6:59 PM on March 8, 2013 [13 favorites]
This thread just goes on and on.
posted by etc. at 7:00 PM on March 8, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by etc. at 7:00 PM on March 8, 2013 [7 favorites]
I've never thought it is mean spirited, nor dismissive, just a "hey look at this conjunction of elements".
But, what is funny is all those who essentially say "it's-not-funny-they-are-just-doing-it-for-attention"... well yes, people are kind of doing it for attention, but so are you, and so am I. The internet would be a dry dead space if it wasn't 98% people just yammering away or posting stuff for that small ego rub of being noticed.
Rash, i promise you that if i somehow forget this thread way int he future and something you write makes me say the dreaded 'e' word, I swear by whatever I hold dear, I am not doing it to be mean or dismissive. I too have an... unusual, first name and for one reason or another was the subject of a lot of teasing when I was young. If my words are ever meant to cause harm there is no ambiguity to them, otherwise I hope for a modicum of benefit of the doubt towards my intentions.
posted by edgeways at 7:10 PM on March 8, 2013 [4 favorites]
But, what is funny is all those who essentially say "it's-not-funny-they-are-just-doing-it-for-attention"... well yes, people are kind of doing it for attention, but so are you, and so am I. The internet would be a dry dead space if it wasn't 98% people just yammering away or posting stuff for that small ego rub of being noticed.
Rash, i promise you that if i somehow forget this thread way int he future and something you write makes me say the dreaded 'e' word, I swear by whatever I hold dear, I am not doing it to be mean or dismissive. I too have an... unusual, first name and for one reason or another was the subject of a lot of teasing when I was young. If my words are ever meant to cause harm there is no ambiguity to them, otherwise I hope for a modicum of benefit of the doubt towards my intentions.
posted by edgeways at 7:10 PM on March 8, 2013 [4 favorites]
My goal is nothing less than total world domination.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 7:16 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 7:16 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
#eponysterical
posted by octothorpe at 7:16 PM on March 8, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by octothorpe at 7:16 PM on March 8, 2013 [7 favorites]
The Meta-joke, if you will.
I like Meta-jokes!
posted by Meta Filter at 7:27 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
I like Meta-jokes!
posted by Meta Filter at 7:27 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Aw shoot, I don't get it.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:40 PM on March 8, 2013
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:40 PM on March 8, 2013
It's either late or I'm rather easily amused, because I'm sitting here trying to stifle my giggles over all the eponystericals so my long-suffering husband doesn't kick me out of bed.
Rash, it's really, totally, not personal. I finally felt like I was "in" when I got my first (and possibly only) eponysterical.
posted by cooker girl at 7:50 PM on March 8, 2013
Rash, it's really, totally, not personal. I finally felt like I was "in" when I got my first (and possibly only) eponysterical.
posted by cooker girl at 7:50 PM on March 8, 2013
Sometimes, when you hate on silly jokes, I really doubt your commitment to Metafilter.
posted by sparklemotion at 8:16 PM on March 8, 2013 [23 favorites]
posted by sparklemotion at 8:16 PM on March 8, 2013 [23 favorites]
That kind of comment brings me more Christmas-like joy than you.
(Yeah, it's a stretch.)
posted by maryr at 8:18 PM on March 8, 2013
(Yeah, it's a stretch.)
posted by maryr at 8:18 PM on March 8, 2013
The best way to be eponysterical is to have two parts to the username that are somehow linked and can be related to the comment in two completely separate ways....with a gentle wash step in between.
Unfortunately, this method was not successful in my thesis work nor have I succeeded with it yet on the Metafilter....
posted by Tandem Affinity at 8:23 PM on March 8, 2013
Unfortunately, this method was not successful in my thesis work nor have I succeeded with it yet on the Metafilter....
posted by Tandem Affinity at 8:23 PM on March 8, 2013
I get this sort of a lot.
posted by Navelgazer at 8:39 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Navelgazer at 8:39 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
If you think you have it bad, rash, consider the things that would cause people to make "eponysterical" comments in my direction.
I don't mind, don't worry - because, seriously. Butts are lol.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:42 PM on March 8, 2013 [4 favorites]
I don't mind, don't worry - because, seriously. Butts are lol.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:42 PM on March 8, 2013 [4 favorites]
Wow, guys, this whole thread is just making me raise my eyebrows.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 8:58 PM on March 8, 2013
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 8:58 PM on March 8, 2013
What is your goal when you post MetaTalk posts about something that mildly annoys and mildly puzzles you?
What is your goal when you make a comment in a thread?
What is your goal when you set up an account?
What is your goal when you ignore the username prompt in the profile?
What is your goal when you select which fields to fill out or not fill out in the profile?
For me, "eponysterical" is a nice coinage for a "hey looka here, funny coincidence" moment that I enjoyed and others might also. It has loads of analogies in real life and is at worst innocuousl and inane, at best mildly humorous.
It is a great example of the kinds of things humans in communities do with one another. And not all those things are oriented to specific goals other than "let's have a subsector of us enjoy some aspect of fact that we belong to the same group by partaking in one of its many opt-in traditions."
Perhaps this post was hasty and ill-thought-out; a bit of a reckless decision made without due consideration.
posted by Miko at 8:58 PM on March 8, 2013 [10 favorites]
What is your goal when you make a comment in a thread?
What is your goal when you set up an account?
What is your goal when you ignore the username prompt in the profile?
What is your goal when you select which fields to fill out or not fill out in the profile?
For me, "eponysterical" is a nice coinage for a "hey looka here, funny coincidence" moment that I enjoyed and others might also. It has loads of analogies in real life and is at worst innocuousl and inane, at best mildly humorous.
It is a great example of the kinds of things humans in communities do with one another. And not all those things are oriented to specific goals other than "let's have a subsector of us enjoy some aspect of fact that we belong to the same group by partaking in one of its many opt-in traditions."
Perhaps this post was hasty and ill-thought-out; a bit of a reckless decision made without due consideration.
posted by Miko at 8:58 PM on March 8, 2013 [10 favorites]
"And then somebody says "eponysterical" I feel like my comment is being invalidated. Or my user name is being mocked. Or both."
To be serious, though, when someone says "eponysterical" or any derivation or variation, I mostly go, "Ha! Good user name!" or "Heh, it is amusing that someone named Rash knows a lot about measles!"
Maybe I just don't go into the threads where people use it jerkily, but mostly people seem to be admiring a username, highlighting a comment that they read closely enough to take the time to notice the username (and its humor as related to the content), or appreciating a joke the user made. It mostly seems affectionate or admiring, not invalidating or mean. I don't tend to read super-far into very fighty threads, so maybe people use it in those ways where I don't see it, but mostly it's like, "This good comment is extra-enjoyable because this guy is name Dorian and is giving tips on how to look young for your age!" Oh, no, wait, I think that's eponyterrifying and epony-check-the-attic-for-paintings.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:09 PM on March 8, 2013 [10 favorites]
To be serious, though, when someone says "eponysterical" or any derivation or variation, I mostly go, "Ha! Good user name!" or "Heh, it is amusing that someone named Rash knows a lot about measles!"
Maybe I just don't go into the threads where people use it jerkily, but mostly people seem to be admiring a username, highlighting a comment that they read closely enough to take the time to notice the username (and its humor as related to the content), or appreciating a joke the user made. It mostly seems affectionate or admiring, not invalidating or mean. I don't tend to read super-far into very fighty threads, so maybe people use it in those ways where I don't see it, but mostly it's like, "This good comment is extra-enjoyable because this guy is name Dorian and is giving tips on how to look young for your age!" Oh, no, wait, I think that's eponyterrifying and epony-check-the-attic-for-paintings.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:09 PM on March 8, 2013 [10 favorites]
Completely agree. It drives me nuts.
posted by unSane at 9:09 PM on March 8, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by unSane at 9:09 PM on March 8, 2013 [4 favorites]
If there's something wrong with your nuts, perhaps you should see a good urologist.
not wearing underpants
posted by flabdablet at 9:29 PM on March 8, 2013
not wearing underpants
posted by flabdablet at 9:29 PM on March 8, 2013
I wave my eyestalks in your general direction you silly persons.
posted by a humble nudibranch at 9:35 PM on March 8, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by a humble nudibranch at 9:35 PM on March 8, 2013 [4 favorites]
Oh, yeah, that's a regular thing in New Scientist.
WHAT? YOU DON'T HAVE A SUBSCRIPTION TO NEW SCIENTIST? GET THEE TO A WEBSITE!
posted by unSane at 9:48 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
WHAT? YOU DON'T HAVE A SUBSCRIPTION TO NEW SCIENTIST? GET THEE TO A WEBSITE!
posted by unSane at 9:48 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
My goal when using it is to put an end to world hunger and align the planets. However, that probably won't happen.
posted by XMLicious at 10:28 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by XMLicious at 10:28 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Metafilter: I belong here and I felt it important to let everybody know.
posted by mazola at 10:57 PM on March 8, 2013
posted by mazola at 10:57 PM on March 8, 2013
What a nightmare.
posted by oneirodynia at 11:47 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by oneirodynia at 11:47 PM on March 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Meta Filter: "The Meta-joke, if you will.
I like Meta-jokes!"
Meta Filter: I like Meta-jokes!
posted by chavenet at 12:17 AM on March 9, 2013
I like Meta-jokes!"
Meta Filter: I like Meta-jokes!
posted by chavenet at 12:17 AM on March 9, 2013
You guys are so unhip it's a wonder your bums don't fall off.
posted by h00py at 12:17 AM on March 9, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by h00py at 12:17 AM on March 9, 2013 [3 favorites]
If only there was a way to set up an electronic surveillance program and intercept the comments we thought were threatening.
posted by Room 641-A at 1:12 AM on March 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Room 641-A at 1:12 AM on March 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
What's your goal
I'm more process-oriented than goal-oriented.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:32 AM on March 9, 2013 [3 favorites]
I'm more process-oriented than goal-oriented.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:32 AM on March 9, 2013 [3 favorites]
I'll have to sleep on this.
posted by Wet Spot at 3:47 AM on March 9, 2013 [37 favorites]
posted by Wet Spot at 3:47 AM on March 9, 2013 [37 favorites]
i think we're all jumping to rash conclusions
posted by pyramid termite at 3:52 AM on March 9, 2013
posted by pyramid termite at 3:52 AM on March 9, 2013
Never. Funny.
posted by Joseph Gurl at 4:02 AM on March 9, 2013
posted by Joseph Gurl at 4:02 AM on March 9, 2013
empath: I think it's super obnoxious and unfunny except on really rare occasions.
You know it's interesting that "eponysterical" might signal in-groupiness in general, but if someone directs an "eponysterical" specifically at empath it makes me think they haven't been here very long. This joke must get less funny when you get it all the freakin' time.
Sometimes, when you hate on silly jokes, I really doubt your commitment to Metafilter.
posted by sparklemotion at 11:16 PM on March 8 [12 favorites +] [!] [quote]
E-now-I'm-picturing-a-really-cute-dystopia-involving-a-magical-ponysterical. If you want a picture of the future, imagine a sparkly pink hoof stomping that frown upside-down, forever.
posted by jhc at 6:40 AM on March 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
You know it's interesting that "eponysterical" might signal in-groupiness in general, but if someone directs an "eponysterical" specifically at empath it makes me think they haven't been here very long. This joke must get less funny when you get it all the freakin' time.
Sometimes, when you hate on silly jokes, I really doubt your commitment to Metafilter.
posted by sparklemotion at 11:16 PM on March 8 [12 favorites +] [!] [quote]
E-now-I'm-picturing-a-really-cute-dystopia-involving-a-magical-ponysterical. If you want a picture of the future, imagine a sparkly pink hoof stomping that frown upside-down, forever.
posted by jhc at 6:40 AM on March 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
What we should do is ban it and anyone who uses it.
Or maybe we could create a filter that just electronically replaces that word with the text "I thought this would be funny but it wasn't."
Or we could just let people do what they like, and maybe they'll self-police it away when it stops being funny.
posted by anotherpanacea at 7:31 AM on March 9, 2013 [3 favorites]
Or maybe we could create a filter that just electronically replaces that word with the text "I thought this would be funny but it wasn't."
Or we could just let people do what they like, and maybe they'll self-police it away when it stops being funny.
posted by anotherpanacea at 7:31 AM on March 9, 2013 [3 favorites]
I agree that some people are taking this too seriously and need to lighten up.
posted by like_neon at 7:39 AM on March 9, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by like_neon at 7:39 AM on March 9, 2013 [3 favorites]
Dear AskMe, I accidentally left my baby out overnight - is it still safe for me to eat?
posted by DingoMutt at 8:34 AM on March 9, 2013 [19 favorites]
posted by DingoMutt at 8:34 AM on March 9, 2013 [19 favorites]
Maybe that's because IRL I have a name a lot of the kids made fun of, when I was young.
So when it came time to pick a username you made sure to pick one that no-one could joke about?
posted by atrazine at 9:23 AM on March 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
So when it came time to pick a username you made sure to pick one that no-one could joke about?
posted by atrazine at 9:23 AM on March 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
I agree, it leaves me cold.
posted by arcticwoman at 10:23 AM on March 9, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by arcticwoman at 10:23 AM on March 9, 2013 [5 favorites]
Subway. Rome. Pretty awesome.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 11:19 AM on March 9, 2013
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 11:19 AM on March 9, 2013
No one notices when I'm eponysterical anymore.
posted by desuetude at 11:21 AM on March 9, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by desuetude at 11:21 AM on March 9, 2013 [3 favorites]
My favorite variant is "eponyterrible", for when someone espouses a depressingly awful point of view which in retrospect was totally predictable given their choice of username.
e.g. "I don't understand why we should be wasting public money on needle-exchange programs; as far as I am concerned, HIV is just natural selection in action." -- TheFountainhead
That sort of extreme example is more eponyohgodjustkillme but you get the idea.
posted by Scientist at 11:40 AM on March 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
e.g. "I don't understand why we should be wasting public money on needle-exchange programs; as far as I am concerned, HIV is just natural selection in action." -- TheFountainhead
That sort of extreme example is more eponyohgodjustkillme but you get the idea.
posted by Scientist at 11:40 AM on March 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
I've always enjoyed mine!
posted by Omnomnom at 11:44 AM on March 9, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Omnomnom at 11:44 AM on March 9, 2013 [3 favorites]
I am kinda slow with these things too.
posted by terrapin at 12:32 PM on March 9, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by terrapin at 12:32 PM on March 9, 2013 [5 favorites]
I think this is one of those things you just have to contend with. Endure it with the patience of a saint. It's your cross to bear, y'know?
posted by dismas at 12:59 PM on March 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by dismas at 12:59 PM on March 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
.
because it turns out you can't just post whitespace
posted by Quietgal at 1:17 PM on March 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
because it turns out you can't just post whitespace
posted by Quietgal at 1:17 PM on March 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
I think it's a great-idea-but-possibly-not-and-I'm-not-being-indecisive!
posted by Splunge at 1:24 PM on March 9, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by Splunge at 1:24 PM on March 9, 2013 [4 favorites]
> because it turns out you can't just post whitespace
you can tacitly.
posted by benito.strauss at 1:43 PM on March 9, 2013
you can tacitly.
posted by benito.strauss at 1:43 PM on March 9, 2013
I can see where the irksomeness lies. It's like you're telling a loved one something you really care about, and it's about [pretty long word], and all s/he says is 'you know, your lips look kind of strange when you say [pretty long word]'. It's like you're not being listened to.
I can see it. I don't share it, but I can still see it.
posted by Too-Ticky at 2:28 PM on March 9, 2013
I can see it. I don't share it, but I can still see it.
posted by Too-Ticky at 2:28 PM on March 9, 2013
Well this thread went pear-shaped fast.
posted by en forme de poire at 2:30 PM on March 9, 2013 [10 favorites]
posted by en forme de poire at 2:30 PM on March 9, 2013 [10 favorites]
I put the eponysterical in my own answers to items that are either mouth or vagina related. I don't really answer pronunciation questions....
I think someone gave me one when I answered something about oral sex or perhaps a long-ish thing I added about how I don't bother grooming my hair. Add me to the number who felt a warm fuzzy when I saw it. Because hey, someone noticed that it was me blathering away. even if maybe they had never noticed anything I'd said here before.
posted by bilabial at 3:20 PM on March 9, 2013
I think someone gave me one when I answered something about oral sex or perhaps a long-ish thing I added about how I don't bother grooming my hair. Add me to the number who felt a warm fuzzy when I saw it. Because hey, someone noticed that it was me blathering away. even if maybe they had never noticed anything I'd said here before.
posted by bilabial at 3:20 PM on March 9, 2013
I can see where the irksomeness lies. It's like you're telling a loved one something you really care about, and it's about [pretty long word], and all s/he says is 'you know, your lips look kind of strange when you say [pretty long word]'. It's like you're not being listened to.
I can see that in the flow of a real, intimate, face to face conversation sudden jokiness would be chilling (or in the midst of an angsty, anonymous AskMe about some relationship trauma), but otherwise? Surely no one participates in a typical MeFi thread as if they were in the midst of telling a loved one something deeply personal, do they? We all know we're contributing to a room full of intersecting conversations and that no one has any responsibility to respond to us unless they find whatever we've said interesting enough to bother engaging with. I think Rash's mistake was to read the "eponysterical" joke as being hostile in nature ("ha ha! Look at the doofus with the silly username!") and to think that it was somehow shutting off his/her participation in the conversation ("piss off, stupid-user-name-person!"). But no one, in fact, was ever stopped from replying to a comment because someone else did the "eponysterical" thing with it, were they? If their comment was going to get a serious and engaged response, it would with or without the jokey response. Often enough, after all, the "eponysterical" comment is appended to an actual reply to the comment ("Oh, and by the way, that's pretty eponysterical!").
posted by yoink at 3:54 PM on March 9, 2013
I can see that in the flow of a real, intimate, face to face conversation sudden jokiness would be chilling (or in the midst of an angsty, anonymous AskMe about some relationship trauma), but otherwise? Surely no one participates in a typical MeFi thread as if they were in the midst of telling a loved one something deeply personal, do they? We all know we're contributing to a room full of intersecting conversations and that no one has any responsibility to respond to us unless they find whatever we've said interesting enough to bother engaging with. I think Rash's mistake was to read the "eponysterical" joke as being hostile in nature ("ha ha! Look at the doofus with the silly username!") and to think that it was somehow shutting off his/her participation in the conversation ("piss off, stupid-user-name-person!"). But no one, in fact, was ever stopped from replying to a comment because someone else did the "eponysterical" thing with it, were they? If their comment was going to get a serious and engaged response, it would with or without the jokey response. Often enough, after all, the "eponysterical" comment is appended to an actual reply to the comment ("Oh, and by the way, that's pretty eponysterical!").
posted by yoink at 3:54 PM on March 9, 2013
"Let me remind you that on OUR world we often find humor is such unexpected juxtapositions."
posted by AsYouKnow Bob at 5:32 PM on March 9, 2013
posted by AsYouKnow Bob at 5:32 PM on March 9, 2013
Let me remind you that on OUR world we often find humor is such unexpected juxtapositions.
posted by AsYouKnow Bob at 5:32 PM on March 9, 2013
posted by AsYouKnow Bob at 5:32 PM on March 9, 2013
Just be cool everyone, be cool.
posted by Cuke at 6:16 PM on March 9, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by Cuke at 6:16 PM on March 9, 2013 [5 favorites]
Think of it as color commentary for the site.
posted by cmyk at 6:35 PM on March 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by cmyk at 6:35 PM on March 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
I'm reasonably certain my name will never be eponysterical. Or at least that if it is, the world is going to have more pressing matters to concern itself with. Sadness.
posted by Lemurrhea at 6:50 PM on March 9, 2013
posted by Lemurrhea at 6:50 PM on March 9, 2013
If you want a picture of the future, imagine a sparkly pink hoof stomping that frown upside-down, forever.
I didn't know you were a bronie.
posted by Diablevert at 7:42 PM on March 9, 2013
I didn't know you were a bronie.
posted by Diablevert at 7:42 PM on March 9, 2013
I'm reasonably certain my name will never be eponysterical. Or at least that if it is, the world is going to have more pressing matters to concern itself with.
I dunno... if one is at any time surrounded by lemurs with diarrhea, that could be a pretty eponysterically pressing matter, for sure.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:42 PM on March 9, 2013
I dunno... if one is at any time surrounded by lemurs with diarrhea, that could be a pretty eponysterically pressing matter, for sure.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:42 PM on March 9, 2013
Lemurrhea, have you ever seen a ghost and shit your pants? Have you ever heard a wild scream in the forest and exclaimed 'mother of the gods! was that a lemur?'. Have you ever ordered escargot in a French restaurant and gotten some weird sea snail, and tries to explain to the waiter in your high school French that 'C'est ne pas l'escargot, c'est le murrhrea, le Antiguraleus murrhea'.
The possibilities are endless.
posted by Doroteo Arango II at 8:20 PM on March 9, 2013
The possibilities are endless.
posted by Doroteo Arango II at 8:20 PM on March 9, 2013
Mainly to annoy the fuck out of you.
posted by Decani at 9:04 PM on March 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Decani at 9:04 PM on March 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
This thread is making me hungry.
posted by Jughead at 9:57 PM on March 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Jughead at 9:57 PM on March 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
We all know we're contributing to a room full of intersecting conversations and that no one has any responsibility to respond to us unless they find whatever we've said interesting enough to bother engaging with.
Well, yeah. That's why I don't share this irk.
posted by Too-Ticky at 1:45 AM on March 10, 2013
Well, yeah. That's why I don't share this irk.
posted by Too-Ticky at 1:45 AM on March 10, 2013
Miko: " Perhaps this post was hasty and ill-thought-out; a bit of a reckless decision made without due consideration."
I recommend the viewing of this video:
This surfeit of cooks.
posted by meehawl at 11:52 AM on March 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
I recommend the viewing of this video:
This surfeit of cooks.
posted by meehawl at 11:52 AM on March 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
A metafilter user with a penchant for making eponysterical comments is a little like the mule with a spinning wheel; no one knows how he got it and danged if he knows how to use it!
posted by obscure simpsons reference at 3:56 PM on March 10, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by obscure simpsons reference at 3:56 PM on March 10, 2013 [3 favorites]
This thread could use a little background music.
posted by pianoblack at 10:04 AM on March 11, 2013
posted by pianoblack at 10:04 AM on March 11, 2013
Irony
posted by OHenryPacey at 12:54 PM on March 11, 2013
posted by OHenryPacey at 12:54 PM on March 11, 2013
Why?
This thread could use a little background music.
Flapjax at midnite, at your service.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:00 PM on March 11, 2013
This thread could use a little background music.
Flapjax at midnite, at your service.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:00 PM on March 11, 2013
It's what people do on the world wide web.
posted by war wrath of wraith at 6:54 PM on March 11, 2013
posted by war wrath of wraith at 6:54 PM on March 11, 2013
What the hell... I say, what the hell are you folks talking about?
posted by Bushrod Johnson at 8:53 PM on March 11, 2013
posted by Bushrod Johnson at 8:53 PM on March 11, 2013
It's what people do on the world wide web.
posted by war wrath of wraith 2 ¼ hours ago [+]
Eponys-- (you know the rest).
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:03 PM on March 11, 2013
posted by war wrath of wraith 2 ¼ hours ago [+]
Eponys-- (you know the rest).
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:03 PM on March 11, 2013
It's fun.
posted by TwoWordReview at 16:57 on March 11 [2 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
Epo-- (yup).
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:04 PM on March 11, 2013
posted by TwoWordReview at 16:57 on March 11 [2 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
Epo-- (yup).
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:04 PM on March 11, 2013
Yeah, when folks do that, it really burns me up.
Yeah, and it happens when you least expect it. Like the other night, I read someone pull that eponysterical shit while I was eating some breakfast food at an inappropriate hour.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:46 AM on March 12, 2013
Yeah, and it happens when you least expect it. Like the other night, I read someone pull that eponysterical shit while I was eating some breakfast food at an inappropriate hour.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:46 AM on March 12, 2013
When I picked my username, it was an unusual confluence of factors that led me to the position where all my oral sex questions have to be anonymous. I'm serious. I had no idea. Also about oral sex too.
posted by b33j at 5:21 AM on March 12, 2013
posted by b33j at 5:21 AM on March 12, 2013
I have no plans at this time to make a post about pre-20th-century religious ceremonies. Sorry folks.
Nor do I have plans to post about Glisnust.
posted by gorbichov at 11:44 AM on March 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Nor do I have plans to post about Glisnust.
posted by gorbichov at 11:44 AM on March 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Sorry I'm late. I was on this cruise ship and we hit a reef and the last few days are a blur, until I woke up in that helicopter sling.
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 1:52 PM on March 12, 2013
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 1:52 PM on March 12, 2013
iamkimiam: "It is when a person's comment somehow references the username of the person making the comment that it is."
help i have read this fifty times and i am still confused i need to get work done someone please explain
posted by scrump at 11:53 PM on March 12, 2013
help i have read this fifty times and i am still confused i need to get work done someone please explain
posted by scrump at 11:53 PM on March 12, 2013
Yeah, when folks do that, it really burns me up.
I know that feeling.
posted by empath at 12:39 AM on March 13, 2013 [2 favorites]
I know that feeling.
posted by empath at 12:39 AM on March 13, 2013 [2 favorites]
"It is when a person's comment somehow references the username of the person making the comment that it is."
Whatever you do, don't trying diagramming that sentence. I did, and found a closed cycle. It is the Ouroboros of sentences.
posted by benito.strauss at 12:51 AM on March 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
Whatever you do, don't trying diagramming that sentence. I did, and found a closed cycle. It is the Ouroboros of sentences.
posted by benito.strauss at 12:51 AM on March 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
Come to think of it, every comment I make is the last one in the thread, when I make it.
They just usually don't stay that way, is all.
posted by reprise the theme song and roll the credits at 2:08 PM on April 6, 2013
They just usually don't stay that way, is all.
posted by reprise the theme song and roll the credits at 2:08 PM on April 6, 2013
Very true!
posted by TwoWordReview at 7:17 PM on April 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by TwoWordReview at 7:17 PM on April 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
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People say this when a person's comment has some connection to their username
posted by pipeski at 2:27 PM on March 8, 2013 [2 favorites]