as some of you have noticed, there’s a form of virtual violence in which i like to engage: the trout-smack. it’s just something i like to do and it’s fun.
the trout-smack’s origins are in the very beginnings of the internet. back in the day, there was usenet, a network of computer networks. during discussions on usenet, folks began to find it useful to have a means whereby they could express their wry approval and annoyance: by trout-smacking someone. for some reason, the designers struck upon the idea of smiting someone with a fish (why a trout? who knows?) was a great way to convey that sentiment, despite the fact that the incredibly broad appeal of monty python to programmers would seem to have suggested “rubber chicken-smack” as a more likely alternative, given that it occurs in a few of their sketches during flying circus. but i digress…
anyway: i encountered the idea some years ago and finding it a great fit for the way i prefer to interact with others, immediately began trout-smacking all and sundry. on the primary discussion forum at which i hang my hat online, there’s even a specific (animated) smiley for it.
what it means: either i’m being a smart alec, or you are. :>
accordingly…
[trout-smacks you]
:D
so feel like creating your own form of virtual violence? comment and tell me what you’ve come up with.
ed
silverwhisper posted on Aug 10, 2006
| views: 451
Comments
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Lysander said on Aug 10, 2006....
Hmm, I always thought it came from Monty Python's fish slapping dance. ||{1}|| -
silverwhisper said on Aug 10, 2006....
i see how it is. sure, rub my nose in your superior monty python-fu. :p i'd completely forgotten about that sketch. [sigh] ed -
Expendable said on Aug 10, 2006....
I post a cynical comment. Sushi anyone? -
carmachu said on Aug 10, 2006....
You know, with they way you are ed, I can get you a volume discount on the dumbass award....... -
silverwhisper said on Aug 10, 2006....
thanks, carmachu. guess i might as well accept it in good grace. :> ed -
Expendable said on Aug 10, 2006....
I can just see it now. Bush is shaking hands and walking towards his limo, ed reaches into his blazier and suddenly some secret agent yells "TROUT! TROUT!" and trying to leap on ed while Bush gets dragged like a sack of potatoes to the limo. Later we get those wanted posters showing ed and the trout. -
happykat said on Aug 10, 2006....
I could tell you to bite my ass.... -
silverwhisper said on Aug 10, 2006....
expendable: it might be worth it to see that... :> HK: meh, you'd like it. :p ed -
quidnunc said on Aug 10, 2006....
poor trout... spare the fish. just hit him with a baseball bat... (do i deserve a trout-smack because of this lousy comment?) :-) -
Zayda said on Aug 10, 2006....
No, you deserve to be stabbed with a spork. [bequeaths silver the spork of doom...use it wisely my friend...use it wisely...] -
silverwhisper said on Aug 10, 2006....
is the spork plastic or metal? i wanna be careful w/ this thing! ed -
hotaka said on Aug 10, 2006....
Someone trout-smacked me recently and I thought it was a reference to the fish-slapping dance. In response I said that I fell stiffly over in full safari gear into the canal. I suppose a less severe version could be the minnow-whack. -
quidnunc said on Aug 10, 2006....
yes, i'd like to know if the spork is plastic or metal, so i can prepare... :-( -
quidnunc said on Aug 10, 2006....
as a noun, spork is a trademark for a {u]plastic[/u] eating utensil that has both tines and a bowl like a spoon... -
the_infernal_optimist said on Aug 10, 2006....
Jello anvils. *facepalm* -
Alyss said on Aug 11, 2006....
I consider being trout slapped a form of endearment... Other forms of net violence are entirely situation dependent. -
ALIENated said on Aug 11, 2006....
(in John Cleese guided tour voice) ... and here, ladies and gentlemen, you have a prime example of weeniehood ... -
silverwhisper said on Aug 11, 2006....
[drops a jello anvil on infernal] oo, i like that! :> quidnunc: it's a trademarked term? uh-oh... alyss: kinda it is. :> [trout-smacls alienated] ed -
bhalah said on Aug 11, 2006....
jsugdredfdu hdfisgreg jgdyfe jkhb xxxxx... -
Expendable said on Aug 11, 2006....
SW: At least you didn't come at ALIENated with a banana. I liked the old Weenieville. -
Zayda said on Aug 11, 2006....
The Spork of Doom is whatever material it needs to be at any given moment, Silver. Therein lies it's power. Use it wisely, my sage friend. -
silverwhisper said on Aug 11, 2006....
hey now: i'm your [i]thyme[/i] friend: parsley, sage and rosemary are someone else. :D ed -
00purple666 said on Aug 11, 2006....
[color=purple] I'd love to trout slap someone in real life..........One thing I must do before I turn 30 watch out world theres 5 yrs left lol [/purple] -
hotaka said on Aug 11, 2006....
Are you going to stalk people with a trout in your pocket? -
Expendable said on Aug 11, 2006....
a sage 'n thyme saves dine. -
silverwhisper said on Aug 12, 2006....
hotaka: hey, i'm not a stalker. i'm a trout-smacker. there's a difference. :p ed -
LayaMaria said on Aug 12, 2006....
why a trout? how about a blue marlin instead? we don't have trout in the Philippines *lol* how about I just poke silver in the ribs with a back-scratcher instead, that would be more my style *devilish laugh* -
hotaka said on Aug 12, 2006....
No, not you silverW. Purple. Beware of someone following close behind you with a fishy smell. Of course, if you're packing a trout too you might not notice the fragrance of fish. A trout-smack duel! Poisson, en gaurd. Thrust! Parry, parry, Thrust! SMACK! Win one for the kipper!