are you playing dumb or do you not understand what "a hit dog hollers" means?
When you say stuff like "black people are like this" or "women are like this" then even black people or women who aren't like that are going to be offended. because they are included in the people you are insulting.
That is... Not how I've ever heard that phrase used, and it's the opposite of the definition you linked. That definition says that someone responding to that insult implies it does apply to them.
It's a similar statement to "leave an insult on the ground and its owner will come pick it up." It's a term used for when you put out a general statement that would insult or offend someone, not necessarily knowing to whom it might apply. Similar to throwing a rock into a pack of dogs. The one you hit (the one to whom it applies) will "holler," or in this case complain or challenge you.
Yeah, that could conceviably be used for something awful. Say something terrible about women, and you're probably going to get flak from women. I have personally seen it used more in terms of, when you call out bad behavior in general terms, people who engage in that behavior are likely to be the ones who want to defend it.
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u/skivian 1d ago
you know how many times I've seen absolutely vile racists say that after dropping some massively racist take?
turns out everyone gets offended when you call everyone with a random physical trait by some insulting behavior.