completely, bizarrely, totally off-topic

[emordnilap]

I find that plebs such as I can't post in the 'off-topic' forum for some reason; only moderators allowed to start topics there. So it's in here instead.

Does anyone know the grammatical term for a 'double-barrelled' phrase? Examples are: shilly-shally, willy-nilly, zig-zag, flip-flop, harum-scarum, yabba-dabba-doo. I want the generic name for such a phrase. You get the picture.

[PS_RalphW]

Ask, and google shall answer.

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/reduplication.html

Reduplicated phrase.

[emordnilap]

Right. A reduplication. Thanks. Funny, the word sounds like a double duplication. (A bit like a band rehearsing - they would need to hearse first).

[Vortex]

Golly-gosh, that was easy-peasy, you silly-billies.

[maryb]

Ho hum

[Erik]

I find that plebs such as I can't post in the 'off-topic' forum for some reason; only moderators allowed to start topics there. So it's in here instead.

I think the "off-topic" forum is being used as a dump for threads which were started elsewhere but, for one reason or another, were subsequently considered to be unworthy of remaining in the er, "on-topic" areas. Is it some sort of purgatory for the threads that went bad or were just too crazy? Perhaps the doors of the off-topic forum should be swung wide open for general access and use?

[Vortex]

Perhaps the doors of the off-topic forum should be swung wide open for general access and use?

No. No. No. No. No. No. Off-topic corners simply attract all sorts of silliness - and bitterness.

[skeptik]

Perhaps the doors of the off-topic forum should be swung wide open for general access and use?

No. No. No. No. No. No. Off-topic corners simply attract all sorts of silliness - and bitterness.

Yes... I think this board ought to sticks to PO and at least vaguely related subjects.

Otherwise you end up as at PO.com, where too many of the new threads seem to be about 9/11, UFO's, alchemy, the 'Illuminati', and never ending abusive flame wars.

Unless you want a genuinely insane resident troll spewing insanity and bile, keep 'Off-Topic' for any thread that goes really bad - and keep it locked!

[Erik]

Perhaps the doors of the off-topic forum should be swung wide open for general access and use?

No. No. No. No. No. No. Off-topic corners simply attract all sorts of silliness - and bitterness.

Yes... I think this board ought to sticks to PO and at least vaguely related subjects.

Otherwise you end up as at PO.com, where too many of the new threads seem to be about 9/11, UFO's, alchemy, the 'Illuminati', and never ending abusive flame wars.

Unless you want a genuinely insane resident troll spewing insanity and bile, keep 'Off-Topic' for any thread that goes really bad - and keep it locked!

Fair enough points! Perhaps the Off-Topic area could be renamed to "Sin Bin" or something, for the avoidance of doubt! Any thread which goes really bad could and should just be deleted. Why bother leaving it in an "off-topic" area for all to see like some kind of Powerswitch "Hall of Infamy"?

[skeptik]

Any thread which goes really bad could and should just be deleted. Why bother leaving it in an "off-topic" area for all to see like some kind of Powerswitch "Hall of Infamy"?

Good idea.

Do you have the ability to selectively delete posts? I think posts which contain no information, and no opinion other than 'Yer an idiot',(ie pure abuse) or worse should be deleted - not that this has been a big problem at PS. Just curious. It would be a shame to take down a whole thread if it otherwise contains good info/discussion.

[emordnilap]

Generally the site stays quite well on topic - I think we'd all agree about that - but preparing for the future is such a diverse problem that plenty of latitude has to be allowed.

There's also the fact that collectively the posters have a vast wealth of knowledge and it's good to ask such a friendly bunch, no matter what the question.

Perhaps any thread in the off-topic section can be automatically deleted after a month with no replies?