I knew this bloke years ago and have since lost contact... but he had a reputation for 'burning' his mates and co-workers with social hand grenades. I didn't personally witness this pearler... but it was the stuff of legend.

'Muckhole' was part of a professional group who were fortunate to be on duty at big public social events (airshows, motorsports, sport finals) and as a consequence of their involvement they were invited to VIP marquees and after-event drinks to hobnob with the real celebrities. This was a big perk of their job and much appreciated by all involved. However, one should mind one's Ps and Qs when amongst the big nobs...

At one event (IndyCar on the Gold Coast I believe) they found themselves having a beer with one of the post-Michael Hutchence iterations of the band INXS. The boys were very happy with this situation, and were feeling relaxed and familiar with their new drinking buddies.

Muckhole rose to the occasion, and in between sips rolled a stun grenade into the conversation. "SO, is it true that when Hutchence died he was playing the one-stringed banjo at the time?"

Uncomfortable silence and pariah-status followed.
(bulbus1 *whoop whoop* pull up, Fri 20 Sep 2013, 2:41, 4 replies)

Hoi polloi doesn't mean what you think it means.

(Woodlouse say it with flowers. Send her a Triffid, Fri 20 Sep 2013, 4:05, closed)

And in a similar vein, remember it doesn't take the definite article.
(That's directed at the OP)
( Ghoti Fingers, Fri 20 Sep 2013, 4:37, closed)

I'm glad I'm not the only one to have wanted to point this out.

( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Fri 20 Sep 2013, 11:24, closed)

As an ancient greek loan word,
the addition of the definite article is perfectly proper.

It still doesn't mean "posh people" though.
( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Fri 20 Sep 2013, 11:35, closed)

I like The Word Girl

( drimble he'd been white, he'd been black, Fri 20 Sep 2013, 12:40, closed)

Hufty?

( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Fri 20 Sep 2013, 12:47, closed)

yes if you're around hoipolloi
you can swear like a cunting fuckknuckle
(sittingduck Attention seeking, bullshitting fuck-knuckle, Fri 20 Sep 2013, 16:46, closed)

A reasonable, if inappropriately-timed question.

(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Fri 20 Sep 2013, 9:33, closed)

Clearly he didn't pay attention
when they covered slip-knots in Scouts.
(s0ckpuppet logging out to reply to you if you're not careful, Fri 20 Sep 2013, 11:32, closed)

I stand corrected... check the edit!
(bulbus1 *whoop whoop* pull up, Sat 21 Sep 2013, 6:23, closed)

Seems
a reasonable question.
( social hand grenade I was a lurker before you were a lurker, Tue 24 Sep 2013, 11:17, closed)