Merriam-Webster has a Twitter account and likes to troll people online, apparently. The account drove politically correct scolds mad, for example, when it tweeted the following:
It's fine to use mad to mean "angry"—even if doing so makes some people mad. https://t.co/Z5ClzvAnaZ
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) September 7, 2016
In some quarters, namely on university campuses across the country, this sort of careless wordplay is frowned upon. Describing another person as “crazy” or “mad” is a microaggression and an insult to the mentally ill.
https://twitter.com/T3Gr4/status/773729348440383488
@MerriamWebster In which case, we should reconsider using mad for angry. Power dynamics and oppression are considerations here.
— Tiffany Wolf (@teedubtweets) September 8, 2016
A Slate editor decided to express his feelings on Twitter, but that was a mistake.
I feel like @MerriamWebster is turning into the “chill” parent who lets your friends come over and get high https://t.co/dM4HT2Brt2
— Gabriel Roth (@gabrielroth) September 7, 2016
If no one’s making rules for us, it means we’re responsible for our own decisions, and we feel kind of ambivalent about that tbqh
— Gabriel Roth (@gabrielroth) September 7, 2016
Merriam-Webster was having none of it, and responded with a savage burn.
@gabrielroth No one cares how you feel.
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) September 7, 2016
Merriam-Webster does not give one solitary sh*t about your feelings.
@MerriamWebster This is the dictionary's definition of FUCKING SAVAGE pic.twitter.com/uCq9V7fGy7
— Deez Nutz (@Ghost_nutz) September 8, 2016
TAKE THE POLL
