Comments on: Vent one’s spleen http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/vent-ones-spleen/ Semper Ubi Sub Ubi Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:19:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Jeanne Mann http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/vent-ones-spleen/comment-page-1/#comment-5289 Jeanne Mann Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:05:12 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/vent-ones-spleen/#comment-5289 Jonathan Safran Foer uses the word Spleen as a verb as in "stop spleening me . . ." "I am always spleening her. ". . . performing so many things that can spleen a mother . . ." Anybody have any idea what he is talking about? Jonathan Safran Foer uses the word Spleen as a verb as in “stop spleening me . . .” “I am always spleening her. “. . . performing so many things that can spleen a mother . . .”

Anybody have any idea what he is talking about?

]]> By: tezzer1 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/vent-ones-spleen/comment-page-1/#comment-4768 tezzer1 Sat, 08 May 2010 17:31:10 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/vent-ones-spleen/#comment-4768 I would say that "letting off steam" is preferable, if you realize the pressure is building. If you miss the early warning signs then the next stage is to "vent your spleen". If you are still unaware at that point perhaps that's where psychopaths and sociopaths live; they have no consciousness of pressure building, due to repressive character formations early in life. If we allowed more 'venting of spleens' verbally, we might see less murder or mass shootings. Recall the Unabomber wanted his manifesto printed, i.e. he wanted to "vent his spleen". When no media was willing to publish him he started sending mail bombs. Not saying his manifesto made any sense (except to him), but not listening to him made him even more angry. I would say that “letting off steam” is preferable, if you realize the pressure is building. If you miss the early warning signs then the next stage is to “vent your spleen”. If you are still unaware at that point perhaps that’s where psychopaths and sociopaths live; they have no consciousness of pressure building, due to repressive character formations early in life.
If we allowed more ‘venting of spleens’ verbally, we might see less murder or mass shootings. Recall the Unabomber wanted his manifesto printed, i.e. he wanted to “vent his spleen”. When no media was willing to publish him he started sending mail bombs. Not saying his manifesto made any sense (except to him), but not listening to him made him even more angry.

]]> By: MT http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/vent-ones-spleen/comment-page-1/#comment-2177 MT Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:46:50 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/vent-ones-spleen/#comment-2177 Does the "venting" in "venting one's spleen," have the same connotations as "letting off steam"? In other words, is the idea to the effect that venting releases pressure and is thus socially useful? Does the “venting” in “venting one’s spleen,” have the same connotations as “letting off steam”? In other words, is the idea to the effect that venting releases pressure and is thus socially useful?

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