Twitter users double down on jokes about 280-character limit
Tweets can now be twice as wordy! What could go wrong? Take it away, tweeters.
- Co-author of two Gen X pop-culture encyclopedia for Penguin Books. Won "Headline Writer of the Year" award for 2017, 2014 and 2013 from the American Copy Editors Society. Won first place in headline writing from the 2013 Society for Features Journalism.
Twitter started testing a new 280-character limit for tweets on Wednesday, doubling the previous message limit. (The service has started by inviting a select group to try out the wordiness, but we tell you how to get it yourself.)
CEO Jack Dorsey explained (in a long tweet, naturally) that the original 140-character limit was arbitrary, and called the new size "a small change, but a big move."
This is a small change, but a big move for us. 140 was an arbitrary choice based on the 160 character SMS limit. Proud of how thoughtful the team has been in solving a real problem people have when trying to tweet. And at the same time maintaining our brevity, speed, and essence! https://t.co/TuHj51MsTu
— jack (@jack) September 26, 2017
Filmmaker Simon Barrett ("V/H/S") slyly pointed out that much of Dorsey's wordy tweet was really unnecessary, and Dorsey agreed.
This is getting dunked on a lot but it's sublime that the first 280 tweet is a lot of unnecessary words and then a link to the actual info. https://t.co/cYdWfOIEP9
— Simon Barrett (@Simon_Barrett) September 26, 2017
Fair. I’m still getting used to it. https://t.co/nVCtVGh3Nh
— jack (@jack) September 27, 2017
And it didn't take users long to start poking fun at the whole concept of much wordier messages, referencing everything from the famed six-word baby shoes novel to Smashmouth's oft-quoted "All Star."
Hi so I'm calling about the baby shoes? Are they still available? Great! I just had a baby and, you know, haha, baby needs a new pair of shoes! Anyway, so are they, like, NEVER worn? Or just, like, near mint? OK, great. Like, can I ask why—like, your baby didn't like them, or di
— J. Robert Lennon (@jrobertlennon) September 27, 2017
Super excited about the move to 280 characters!
— Ken Norton (@kennethn) September 27, 2017
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CONFIDENTIALITY. This tweet is intended only for the use of the recipient(s). If you are not the intended recipient any dissemination of this tweet is prohibited. If you received this in error notify the sender immediately.
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— dan mentos (@DanMentos) September 27, 2017
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┻┳| •.•) this seems excessive
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You know, most people don't know the difference between apple cider and apple juice, but I do. Now here's a little trick to help you remember. If it's clear and yella, you've got juice there, fella. If it's tangy and brown, you're in cider town. Now, there's two exceptions and it
— Simpsons Screens (@simpscreens) September 27, 2017
The 280-character limit is a terrible idea. The whole beauty of Twitter is that it forces you to express your ideas concisely (1/47)
— James Poniewozik (@poniewozik) September 26, 2017
literally my only talent was being able to think of tweets exactly 140 characters long. i don't know if I will be able to alter this to 280.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) September 26, 2017
I think 280-character tweets are a terrible idea. I think 280-character tweets are a terrible idea. I think 280-character tweets are a terrible idea. I think 280-character tweets are a terrible idea. I think 280-character tweets are a terrible idea. I think 280-character tweets a
— Mathieu von Rohr (@mathieuvonrohr) September 27, 2017
— #TakeTheKlee (@MilesKlee) September 27, 2017
*sees 280*
— Sean O'Kane (@sokane1) September 27, 2017
CONSCIENCE: "don't do it."
*still 223 left*
"srsly don't."
*closes eyes*
SOME
BODY
ONCE
TOLD
ME
THE
WORLD
IS
GONNA
ROLL
ME
I
AIN'T
THE
SHARPEST
TOOL
IN
THE
SHED
SHE
WAS
LOOKING
KIND
OF
DUMB
WITH
HER
FINGER
AND
HER
THUMB
IN
THE
SHAPE
OF
AN
L
ON
HER
FOREHEAD
WELL,
🎶 Well, the years start coming and they don't stop coming and they don't stop coming and they don't stop coming and they don't stop coming and they don't stop coming and they don't stop coming and they don't stop coming and they don't stop coming and they don't stop coming and th
— Gene Park 280 (@GenePark) September 27, 2017
The concept is still new, but like anything, users will eventually get used to it. Eventually. Maybe. Or not.
Every time I see a 280 character tweet I let out a yelp & throw down my phone. Then I approach it slowly like my cat approaches a spider.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) September 27, 2017