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Poll

So what should we call bad info? Read the post before voting!

Flounder
61%
 61%  [ 8 ]
Boot
38%
 38%  [ 5 ]

Total Votes : 13
 

 Forum index » Archive » Archive: The Haunted Apiary (Let Op!) » The Haunted Apiary (Let Op!): General/Updates
[Poll]What to call info that leads us up a dead end?
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Malrog
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Joined: 10 Aug 2004
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Location: England, UK

 		[Poll]What to call info that leads us up a dead end?
This was brought up in #beekeepers by SkilletAudio, and it seemed to be a useful topic so I volunteered to post it. The issue was, we need a word that can be used to describe information that either leads us to a dead end, or is a false start, or is just entirely a fun coincidence, much like we have the word trout to describe repeated information.

Well, I proposed "flounder", as it's in keeping with the fish theme, and is also a perfect way to describe how we can all flounder around when presented with misleading information.

The other option is "boot", proposed by SkilletAudio, who suggested it as it stays with the fishing theme but can also describe getting disappointed by useless informaion, like when you go fishing and catch a boot.

The word will be used in the same way as trout, so you could say "I think that information is boot." or "I'm afraid I'm going to have to flounder you." etc.

Cast your votes now please...and if you come up with any other suggestions, then post them in the thread below with a reason, and if any seem good I'll add them to the poll (or moderators can do so if they wish).

Thanks for reading

-Malrog (with thanks to SkilletAudio, without whom this post would never have been written.)
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 5:06 pm
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Platonix
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Joined: 28 Aug 2004
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Location: Keene, New Hampshire

 		Speaking from the POV of someone who is new to ARGs, I don't like either of those ideas. If you go with Flounder, newbies are going to have a heck of a time remembering which is which; I get the "floundering" reference but it's not enough. As for "boot", you're trying to find words that aren't offensive, yes? "I'm going to have to boot you"? That sounds like you're kicking them out of the forum or something!

PostPosted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 5:12 pm
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SpaceBass
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 		Generally, it's referred to as a 'red herring.'
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 5:12 pm
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skilletaudio
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Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 515

 		Isn't a red herring something that is deliberately created in order to lead people astray?
Oh, and I doubt we could use it as a verb. I'll use my idea in the context of what happened to me on axon day:

"I was in the wrong spot, but I found a note under a bush with a phone number. Calling the number ended up showing that it was an automated ad service for some crappy rap label, and a computer played a rap song at us. Turned out the whole thing was just a boot."

PostPosted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 5:14 pm
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ouroboros
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 		something fishy in the house of ...
SpaceBass wrote:
Generally, it's referred to as a 'red herring.'

From the color of salted and smoked herring, which, in addition to being eaten, was used to disguise the scent of the hunt and distract persuing dogs.

PostPosted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 5:17 pm
Last edited by ouroboros on Sat Aug 28, 2004 5:46 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Platonix
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Joined: 28 Aug 2004
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Location: Keene, New Hampshire
skilletaudio wrote:
Isn't a red herring something that is deliberately created in order to lead people astray?

Yes, it was...once. But English is funny this way. It's not uncommon for dead ends born of pure coincidence to be referred to as red herrings, by people who a) aren't aware of the term's history, or b) are aware and just plain don't care. It happens in any language that gets used daily in casual conversation. Word meanings slowly shift.

PostPosted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 5:28 pm
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skilletaudio
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Joined: 17 Aug 2004
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 		I didnt get the memo.

PostPosted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 10:42 am
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bill
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Joined: 25 Sep 2002
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Location: Tampa

 		I'm partial to the term 'dead end'

As in, "This thread is headed for a dead end."
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 10:54 am
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vpisteve
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Joined: 30 Sep 2002
Posts: 2441
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 		No more fish, please. Trout's bad enough. Confused
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 11:40 am
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