Random Word: Pooper

My extended family has a group chat, and I reached out there today for my Random Word.  Normally, its the first word response in a chat, or if in person its the first word in 3 seconds.  Today, the word for my Random Word blog is "Pooper."  I will define the word, and then write about how the word applies to tabletop gaming, fishing, and 3D printing.

According to Webster's dictionary at Pooper | Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster "pooper" takes on the adjective role in the term "party pooper" or "pooper-scooper".  To summarize, it is either someone intentionally ruining fun or its feces.  To put it in more adult terms - a "Pooper" is that Asshole who ruins your fun.  Definitions.com also makes a point that your "pooper" is your anus.

First, tabletop wargaming shall be discussed.  There is always "that guy" at the table.  Whether it be a game of Battletech, Warhammer, Dungeons and Dragons, or a simple game of Monopoly, Scrabble, or Risk, there is always "that guy" whose sole purpose is to ruin the game.  Why does "that guy" (referred to as TG for the remainder of the article) aim to do this is still beyond my 100% comprehension. What I do know about TG comes from experience.  TG will treat every game as "I must be 1st place" or "I must win at all cost."  

In tabletop wargaming scenes (40k, Star Wars Legion, Battletech) these are referred to as WAAC players (Win At All Costs).   They will manipulate the basic understanding of the rules, sway game judges and other players into their favor, and make you feel like shit by questioning his "knowledge" or "power" on the table.  

In more social games, like Dungeons and Dragons, co-op games, etc. these are the rules lawyers, the jerks who throw anyone under the bus, and get SUPER competitive (when there is not real competitiveness in D&D in my opinion).  These are the "meta chasers" that will find the most OP build, without regards to the rest of the group, and expect everyone to agree with TG's choices.

My best advice I can give when dealing with TG is to give him patience, know your own rules, and battle knowledge with knowledge.  Knowledge will always override ego.  If TG is truly your friend, he/she will realize the gravity of the situation and change.

The second topic of the blog is fishing.  Yes, there are TGs in the fishing scene as well.  Always has to flex with the picture about the bigger fish.  Can never compliment another fisher on their catch of the day.  TG will bring that WAAC mentality to a very passive, relaxing scene as fishing.

Do not mistaken a TG for a truly competitive fisherperson.  Those exist, and by and large the nicest people I have ever met while out fishing, hands down.  If you are a truly competitive fisherperson and fish those big tournaments and such, my hats off to you.

When you encounter a TG while fishing, you'll know the person is TG when he/she berates you with questions beyond "hey how's it going? Any luck?" If they person persists to ask more than that, they are either:

**A) an out of towner / non-resident fishing (I will write a blog about non-resident fishing later)

**B) TG.

Two other examples of TGs while out fishing is the guy that wants to Combat Fish.  Understand this - there is a general rule of thumb that isn't really spoken about Fisherpeople.  We just want to relax and be left alone.  With that said, give use the same clearance you would a guy swinging an axe.  If you hold your rod out and think that my rod will clang your rod, or my tackle will wind around your tackle, you're too close.  If you start casting in the exact same water location as I do, and you aren't part of my fishing group, you're too close.  

                                               

A picture of combat fishing on the Russian River in Kenai region of Alaska

TGs don't understand that.  I've had random strangers walk up on me in the woods (keep in mind, I break trail and bushwhack to fishing spots - walking up on me while i'm fishing is 100% intentional).  They invade my very limited space and want to have in-depth conversations, cast right where i'm at, give me attitude about "ruining their fishing" before trouncing off into the woods.  This happens infrequently, mostly at larger busier parks, but enough to mention.

Another instance of the word "pooper" in fishing is the anus.  It's worth mentioning this because when you clean a fish, that is the place you should always start your knife at when cleaning a fish.  I will cover fish cleaning and prep in a later post and/or on my YouTube channel at a later date.

With regards to 3D printing, this is where the fun regarding the word "pooper" truly begins.  As always, I will be using Thingiverse.com for reference, however there are many other sites out there where STL files can be acquired/purchased.

First, a search of the word "pooper" reveals three things off the bat.  The first thing is a toothpaste cap in the shape of a squatting man.  Squeeze the tube, watch the man poop.  The second, and most common, are gags about various fictional/non-fictional characters saying funny things while sitting on a toilet.  This go round I find Stormtroopers on toilets.  Lastly is a DIY doggy pooper scooper.

Screenshot from Thingiverse for reference

You could also modify the word and end up with some NSFW type of items, or modify it for other safe for work items.  In the next screenshot, I modified the word "pooper" to "poop" and got the following results.

second screenshot from Thingiverse

One final point that always makes me laugh, and the word "pooper" applies to Toilet Paper Holders.  Now, the misses said I'm not allowed to print one (for now, maybe this post will change her mind), however there are plenty of STLs involving Toilet Paper Holders.

third screenshot from Thingiverse

In conclusion, the word "pooper" doesn't quite mean what you might initially think it means, and I've summarized the various uses of the word "pooper" in regards to tabletop gaming, fishing, and 3D printing.  I hope you've enjoyed the read and I look forward to you reading more of my posts.

Thank you for reading.