I disagree with Peter about almost everything in this thread.

Being put on the Twit Filter is NOT being called a twit. Only if the Twit Fileter were one of several types of filters could it be considered an insult. Were I to be put on somebody's Twit Filter here I would look at who did that and either:

1. Take it as a compliment
2. Examine my behavior to see how I had earned it.

I do, however, agree with him about the connotation of twit. The vulgarization of the American language has probably also touched the word twit. Just as "Suck" was once a strong insult (yeah yeah, except when referring to straws and the like) it is now commonly used - and easily gets past the TV censors. Perhaps "twit" has fallen into that group for you. But, if I called somebody here a twit it would definitely be intended as an insult. (come to think of, I'm pretty sure I did that once --- and it was). Expecially in a written version where intonation, body language, etc. might give indications otherwise.


>>>>>Reading that I now fully side with you, AND with Naomi. Until today I thought the word was invented here and not a reallife word. Now that I know it actually is a reallife word I think it is a real OFFENSE and INSULT to be regarded as a twit here! Perhaps others can laugh about it, but essentially it is not funny at all.
>>>>>
>>>>>Peter, congratulations....once again you've infantalized Naomi...
>>>>
>>>>And once again you have proven to me to have a problem...
>>>
>>>Peter,
>>>
>>>The general use of the word "twit", which I believe was introduced by the Brits years and years ago, has never been (as I've interpreted/used it) intended as insulting or defamatory.
>>>
>>>Friend A may ask me, about friend B, what do you think of B's attitude regarding xxxxxx. I might well reply that he's a twit. It's implied that I was talking about the attitude and all I'm really saying is that I completely disagree with B.
>>>
>>>To me, to feel insult from the word "twit" is more a problem of language. I can see tht the majority of non-native English speakers might easily get the wrong impression. That's why I took some time to write this.
>>
>>Jim, thanks for this explanation. Two general comments. First, Naomi too is not a native speaker. Second, the explanation in the dictionaries surely suggests otherwise.
>
>Well I've given you a real-life example. I've called many friends twit or twittish, most directly to their faces.
>But there's nothing I can do if you choose to "trust" the dictionary over common usage. I tried.
>I just hope it isn't mainly because the dictinary is suiting your purpose better at this time.
>
>I'll bow out now.