28
votes

The unicorn hat is still stumping those of us who discuss these things in chat. Has anyone had it awarded yet? And is anyone ready to break the oath of silence that comes with it?

Alternatively, is anyone interested in discussing it and/or making jokes or other jovial observations?

Our chains are getting overgrown, so make sure to focus your efforts on the answers that don't have as many comments. Kthxbai.

66
  • 11
    Make some comments on Meta and we will help you.
    – Jim
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 3:57
  • 8
    I see your point.
    – Hugo
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 5:37
  • 8
    @Jim Some comments? I don't see how that will help anything. sulks
    – Kit Z. Fox Mod
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 12:39
  • 8
    @Hugo Do you? Do you really?
    – user28567
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 12:47
  • 7
    No. Not really.
    – Hugo
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 12:48
  • 13
    I saw my point yesterday. Your point was nowhere to be seen.
    – RegDwigнt Mod
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 13:15
  • 9
    I can’t see the point. Do you have to Believe for this to work? Perhaps it’s tied to virginity.
    – tchrist Mod
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 13:18
  • 7
    @RegDwigнt I'm still looking for your point.
    – MetaEd
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 14:43
  • 7
    I'll show you my point if you show me yours.
    – Josh
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 17:51
  • 7
    I don't see the point of a unico.. Oh, now I get it. Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 18:25
  • 7
    Too many points! They sticks in my eyes. HELP I'M BLEEDING. Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 18:57
  • 7
    But they're sharp.
    – Mitch
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 18:59
  • 7
    Have an o, I'd rather have a pint.
    – SF.
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 18:59
  • 9
    I'm late on this.
    – Robusto
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 14:02
  • 7
    Sometimes I rehash old points over and over until they get pointer or worn down to a nub. Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 14:06

10 Answers 10

38
votes

If this answer gets to 40 upvotes, I will get my "Oh the Horror" hat.

Please help, especially if you're one of those to have received the hat from me on the club question.

18
  • 5
    Another comment.
    – Ste
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 16:49
  • 5
    That was blunt.
    – SF.
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 19:01
  • 5
    @Ste: I've flagged you comment as offensive. It's offensively awesome!
    – Mitch
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 19:02
  • 5
    Which unicorn? :)
    – aedia λ
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 19:31
  • 5
    Witch unicorn!!
    – SF.
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 19:33
  • 5
    So did it work? Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 19:49
  • 5
    You can now see my point!
    – Ste
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 21:04
  • 5
    @SF. Witch unikowrn?
    – WendiKidd
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 3:29
  • 5
    Did you get email from the unicorn too? Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 15:46
  • 5
    Email from the unicorn? I want some! Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 22:34
  • 5
    Did it work? I hope so.
    – tylerharms
    Commented Dec 20, 2013 at 15:37
  • 5
    where have all the unicorns gone, long time passing.... Commented Dec 21, 2013 at 0:09
  • 5
    I wish I may, I wish I might, to get a unicorn hat tonight! Commented Dec 21, 2013 at 0:10
  • 5
    Mary had a unicorn, unicorn, unicorn. Mary had a unicorn that she wore as a hat! Commented Dec 21, 2013 at 0:10
  • 5
    Jeremiah was a unicorn, was a good hat of mine, I never understood a single horn he said, but I always poked with mine! Commented Dec 21, 2013 at 0:12
17
votes

This place sure puts the "HAT" in "WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?"

10
  • 4
    Hint: an answer is not the answer to the hat you seek.
    – WendiKidd
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 3:31
  • 2
    Who bit you, J.R.? Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 4:03
  • 4
    @cornbread - A shark? It wasn't a dog...
    – J.R.
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 9:23
  • 2
    Is that a bite, or a single puncture wound such as a single-horned creature might make?
    – Niall C.
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 15:17
  • 3
    @NiallC. - I can't tell what this bloody wound is, but I have the distinct impression I'm supposed to upvote your comment for some reason.
    – J.R.
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 15:20
  • 3
    I wonder if "No Comments" counts as a comment. Commented Dec 21, 2013 at 7:04
  • 2
    @J.R. I see that magical hat has eluded you? Or am I missing the point?
    – Mari-Lou A
    Commented Dec 27, 2013 at 6:08
  • 3
    I've clicked answers, questions, shoes and fingers too. I've posted comments, and I've wished, wished, wished till my ears have popped. But still no unicorn in sight. Has it all been a pointless exercise? sigh What thinks you? Click if you agree...
    – Mari-Lou A
    Commented Dec 27, 2013 at 6:31
  • 2
    Maybe now, you see the point? You should visit FF's post. I was confused but now it is unequivocally clear.
    – Mari-Lou A
    Commented Dec 27, 2013 at 7:03
  • 2
    I think you've missed two or three points. Please, reply ASAP!
    – Mari-Lou A
    Commented Dec 30, 2013 at 12:05
13
votes

I have been awarded that hat.

One person at meta.se suggested it might be tied to accepted answers in meta. Of course that might be specific to meta.se, rather than j random meta.

There are also suggestions that it's tied to comment activity in meta, either comment upvotes or comment replies.

32
  • 6
    That's not it...?
    – Kit Z. Fox Mod
    Commented Dec 17, 2013 at 19:55
  • 6
    @KitFox It might have something to do with the name: “I see your point”. Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 0:59
  • 6
    @Gilles Well, I thought so, but...I guess I'm thick. I don't get it.
    – Kit Z. Fox Mod
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 1:57
  • 3
    I see your point.
    – Hugo
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 5:37
  • 4
    @KitFox The secret is out. Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 10:02
  • 5
    No, no, I still don't get it.
    – Kit Z. Fox Mod
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 12:30
  • 3
    I get it! Oh, wait, I forgot that I don't.
    – RegDwigнt Mod
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 13:14
  • 3
    What, here too?
    – tchrist Mod
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 13:28
  • 3
    @KitFox- You should have it now. Right?
    – Jim
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 14:56
  • 4
    I want a unicorn hat!
    – Marthaª
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 16:23
  • 3
    I guess I have to comment a lot more than that, though, don't I?
    – Marthaª
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 16:25
  • 3
    I need to comment a lot too.
    – Ste
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 16:41
  • 4
    And one hat more for luck! Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 18:45
  • 4
    Unicorns are pointy. Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 18:59
  • 4
    @CodeMaverick If I could only whistle!
    – WendiKidd
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 3:30
12
votes

It is my true and firm belief that you must believe in unicorns to get this hat. I don't, and as you can clearly see, I have no hat.

31
  • 2
    I believe in unicorns. And I also believe in points. Where is my two hats?
    – RegDwigнt Mod
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 13:21
  • 3
    @RegDwigнt I think it’s the virginity thing.
    – tchrist Mod
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 13:29
  • 2
    Wait, is this one of the Puppetry of the Sockies thing?
    – tchrist Mod
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 13:32
  • 5
    No, socketry of the puppies.
    – Hugo
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 13:35
  • 2
    @Hugo Vixen have puppies? Or are they kits?
    – tchrist Mod
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 13:37
  • 2
    Hat das Einhorn Erdnüsse essen zum Frühstück?
    – tchrist Mod
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 13:42
  • 5
    Credo in unum Unicornem, equum omnipotentem.
    – tchrist Mod
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 13:46
  • 4
    Well that's lucky for no hat.
    – MetaEd
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 14:57
  • 2
    I don't have this hat yet and I am upset about the fact.
    – Ste
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 16:49
  • 3
    I have never seen a conversation with so many upvotes. Even the ones that aren't in English. Something very strange is going on, and I want in on it. I think. :^)
    – J.R.
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 17:37
  • 4
    Can I get the hat anyway, because I believe that other people believe in unicorns? Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 18:24
  • 2
    My points are broken. Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 19:00
  • 3
    @aediaλ I back my faith up regularly, just in case.
    – user28567
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 19:56
  • 3
    Is the unicorn hat invisible and pink? Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 14:10
  • 4
    Pointy hats are awesome... anytime now...
    – Luke_0
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 22:53
12
votes

Everytime a child says 'I don't believe in fairies' there is a little fairy somewhere that falls down dead.

...so by implication...

If you do believe in unicorns, they don't die (they continue to exist).

Thus the power of thought/belief sustains fairies, unicorns, the hypothetical multiverse we (seem to) inhabit, and my hopes for getting one of these legendary hats. Unless I'm too late.

22
  • 3
    I believe in fairies, unicorns, reality, and the idea that to get one of these hats it's necessary for all comments on my answer to be upvoted. I promise to upvote any comments that agree with this perspective. And any that don't. And any that are "non-commital". Commented Dec 23, 2013 at 3:20
  • 4
    I neither agree nor disagree, but do see your point.
    – ekhumoro
    Commented Dec 23, 2013 at 6:25
  • 4
    I’m so confused. What is this?
    – PLL
    Commented Dec 23, 2013 at 17:20
  • 3
    @PLL. If you keep commenting (and upvoting other comments), a most magical hat shall be thine.
    – ekhumoro
    Commented Dec 23, 2013 at 17:28
  • 3
    I should also say that five times two equals ten (if you see my point).
    – ekhumoro
    Commented Dec 23, 2013 at 18:28
  • 3
    Needz moar comments.
    – ekhumoro
    Commented Dec 23, 2013 at 18:44
  • 3
    @FumbleFingers. Since it's the season of goodwill as well as monoceran headgear, I would like to make one final point...
    – ekhumoro
    Commented Dec 23, 2013 at 19:29
  • 3
    @ekhumoro: You'll have to bear in mind that I can be very slow on the uptake, but I can't help noticing that you're somewhat pointedly repeating a certain word. Does that imply I can get one of these hattie thingies just for mentioning that I really like Harry Nillson's "The Point"? Commented Dec 23, 2013 at 21:14
  • 3
    @FumbleFingers. Unlikely, but you never know... As it stands, we're currently short of another participant who can turn one point into two (five times over).
    – ekhumoro
    Commented Dec 23, 2013 at 21:48
  • 4
  • 3
    I have some of this if anyone is interested.
    – Jim
    Commented Dec 23, 2013 at 21:53
  • 3
    @Jim. You make an excellent point. Thanks.
    – ekhumoro
    Commented Dec 23, 2013 at 21:56
  • 3
    It's never too late to believe! Is it true if I add a comment, close my eyes, click my red shoes together, and wish really hard, I too will receive a unicorn hat?
    – Mari-Lou A
    Commented Dec 26, 2013 at 6:21
  • 2
    @Mari-LouA. Such a hat requires wishing five times harder.
    – ekhumoro
    Commented Dec 26, 2013 at 20:52
  • 3
    Beams I do like hats! :)
    – Mari-Lou A
    Commented Dec 27, 2013 at 7:01
10
votes

This is my first post on Meta.ELU in a long time, and I've just earned the hat.

This confirms the hypothesis that

this is not about upvotes on posts, but on comments. Experimentally, the comments can be all in one thread,

19
  • 2
    The same thread, you say? Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 18:25
  • 3
    I've heard that different threads are allowed.
    – Mitch
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 19:00
  • 6
    It's funnier if you get stabbed to death by unicorns in the same thread. Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 19:01
  • 5
    What's this I hear about people not believing in unicorns?!? looks around sharply
    – aedia λ
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 19:06
  • 5
    @aedia you will have to repeat that point three more times for it to count. And then one more time for me to get it.
    – RegDwigнt Mod
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 19:07
  • 2
    @RegDwigнt - So 1 + 3 + 1 = 5? Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 20:00
  • 3
    @CodeMaverick: well, 2 + 2 = 5 for sufficiently large values of 2, so...
    – Marthaª
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 0:16
  • 2
    @CodeMaverick But 1 + 1 = Window.
    – WendiKidd
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 3:31
  • 2
    Unicorns and pointy hats are awesome
    – Luke_0
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 22:48
  • 2
    One more pointy comment for good measure. Points and Unicorns!
    – Luke_0
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 22:55
  • 2
    @AmericanLuke It gets old after a while. I shall henceforth only upvote comments that I enjoy sufficiently. Try haikus, or puns, or other witticisms. (Good ones only.) Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 22:59
  • 2
    Points and hats are cool/ So lets all get pointy hats/ And wear them with style
    – Luke_0
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 23:01
  • 2
    Haiku isn't my thing. :S But, my point is I want a unicorn hat :P instantrimshot.com
    – Luke_0
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 23:02
  • 3
    There was a young man from Missouri / who asked a fellow from Paris / to help him get a hat / so at his desk he sat / But lacking scansion he was sorry. Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 23:08
  • 5
    @Gilles A "baudy" limerick is presumably one whose scansion can be measured in bits per second.
    – MetaEd
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 23:14
8
votes

My theory is that it has to do with getting the Coding Horror hat and some other highfalutin' hat like Bounty Hunter. This guy from Gilles' comment has both of those.

21
  • 2
    I see your point.
    – Hugo
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 5:36
  • 3
    No, I have the “I see your point” but not Bounty Hunter. Michael Hampton had it before he had Coding Horror. Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 10:00
  • 3
    Seems like the unicorn horn would part that hair nicely.
    – Kit Z. Fox Mod
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 12:42
  • 2
    I think a point still remains to be seen.
    – RegDwigнt Mod
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 13:19
  • 2
    This still isn’t pointy.
    – tchrist Mod
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 13:29
  • 2
    It's a good theory.
    – MetaEd
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 14:57
  • 3
    I would like to have a point.
    – Ste
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 16:39
  • 2
    If it impales you, is it still a point? Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 19:00
  • 2
    Why did I answer this hat? Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 19:58
  • 3
    @cornbreadninja麵包忍者 I see your point Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 19:59
  • 3
    What if soy milk is just regular milk introducing itself in Spanish? Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 20:40
  • 3
    Yay! But I haven't got a record player...
    – aedia λ
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 22:46
  • 3
    @cornbreadninja麵包忍者 Then I'm afraid of my talking milk?
    – WendiKidd
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 3:33
  • 3
    Why am I still awake? Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 4:00
  • 3
    Why am I still commenting? Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 14:11
8
votes

I think I read somewhere it's do with rollbacks.

Is that true?

Let's find out!

20
  • 3
    That didn't work. Maybe it needs a comment from someone else, then a rollback.
    – Hugo
    Commented Dec 17, 2013 at 21:07
  • 3
    Maybe it won't work if you roll back your own edit. Wouldn't that be too easy?
    – J.R.
    Commented Dec 17, 2013 at 21:33
  • 3
    OK. I'll roll back and see what happens...
    – Andrew Leach Mod
    Commented Dec 17, 2013 at 22:38
  • 4
    I don't think so: I got it on SO, and I haven't rolled anything back. It's been suggested that this has something to do with comment replies. Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 0:49
  • 3
    I see your point.
    – Hugo
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 5:35
  • 4
    An official hint: “Earned ten of the most meaningless points on the 'Net” Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 10:01
  • 5
    I see my point.
    – RegDwigнt Mod
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 13:15
  • 4
    How do you define meaning?
    – tchrist Mod
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 13:28
  • 3
    I think it's unrelated to rollbacks.
    – MetaEd
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 14:56
  • 3
    I don't think it's anything to do with roll backs Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 18:23
  • 3
    Too pointy, I think. Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 18:59
  • 4
    @CodeMaverick You got my last point! (This is the first time I've ever run out of comment votes, I think.)
    – user28567
    Commented Dec 18, 2013 at 20:05
  • 5
    @snailboat, there ought to be a hat for running out of comment votes.
    – Marthaª
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 0:11
  • 4
    @Marthaª I think that's a brilliant idea for a hat!
    – WendiKidd
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 3:29
  • 6
    There's a limit to comment votes? Uh-oh... Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 16:01
8
votes

I think you can figure out the unicorn hat by looking at all the comments on this question, regardless of whether you read them.

9
  • 3
    I didn't read your answer so I didn't understand the ... point of it.
    – LarsTech
    Commented Dec 20, 2013 at 23:46
  • 2
    What is the point, after all? Earn the hat, give it up on January 4th? Commented Dec 21, 2013 at 0:00
  • 3
    Reading comments is a good thing - everyone's point of view is important Commented Dec 21, 2013 at 0:07
  • 2
    You've really made the point.
    – None
    Commented Dec 21, 2013 at 14:19
  • 4
    @Kristina: I'm not convinced "everyone's point of view is important". In fact, I'm going to make a point of not reading this comment (which I'm writing whilst looking away!), on the grounds that I strongly suspect closer examination would simply expose it as being totally pointless. Commented Dec 27, 2013 at 2:18
  • 3
    And I'm responding to your pointless comment by looking away as I type as well. And your "point" was good so I upvoted it. Happy Christmas and New Year FF! :-) Commented Dec 27, 2013 at 2:24
  • 2
    If I post a comment at different points of the thread, will I get that horny hat?
    – Mari-Lou A
    Commented Dec 27, 2013 at 5:47
  • 2
    Ahh, maybe I if ask my question pointedly? @KristinaLopez what says you?
    – Mari-Lou A
    Commented Dec 27, 2013 at 5:55
  • 2
    Persistance, enough comments with a coupla upvotes and you'll get the point(y hat). :-). Keep going and I'll help! Commented Dec 27, 2013 at 6:45
5
votes

I think you can only get the Unicorn hat by getting something posted to boingboing which is so horrible/horrifying that it requires a "unicorn chaser."

3
  • Why? Is boingboing so awful? I used to read it waaay back in 2003-6
    – Mari-Lou A
    Commented Dec 31, 2013 at 9:43
  • 1
    @Mari-LouA No-- for a while the mods at boingboing used to follow any story containing bad news (terrorism, government revolutions, Justin Bieber) with a picture of one unicorn or another as a "mind cleanser" :-) Commented Dec 31, 2013 at 13:42
  • I see! You learn something new everyday.
    – Mari-Lou A
    Commented Jan 2, 2014 at 5:01

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