Twitter announced they are introducing a new sharing format feature following the likes of Instagram Stories and SnapChat.
Testing will begin in Brazil and will allow users to share posts that will disappear within 24 hours.
But what has social media clenching with glee over the new feature is not so much the announcement itself.
Instead, they are giggling over the shared name with a bowel cleansing product.
Introducing: the "Fleet"—a riff on the fleeting nature of the disappearing post that also happens to be the name of an enema.
@kayvz https://t.co/dN1C99xq1m— covid-19—stay away from this tweet (@covid-19—stay away from this tweet)1583361177.0
The company product leader, Kayvon Beykpour, explained that the new sharing format addressed "some of the anxieties that hold people back from talking on Twitter."
Fleets are a way to share fleeting thoughts. Unlike Tweets, Fleets disappear after 24 hours and don’t get Retweets,… https://t.co/OMgfzDRoet— Kayvon Beykpour (@Kayvon Beykpour)1583341252.0
He added:
"There are also a few intentional differences to make the experience more focused on sharing and seeing people's thoughts."
I know what you're thinking: “THIS SOUNDS A LOT LIKE STORIES!”. Yes, there are many similarities with the Stories f… https://t.co/tzZjK3vmHO— Kayvon Beykpour (@Kayvon Beykpour)1583341274.0
One user instantly pointed out the saline laxative reference.
@kayvz No, what I'm thinking is, "that sounds like the leading brand of enemas", but go off.— Colin (@Colin)1583366383.0
Others joked how Twitter was cleaning house.
So Twitter is giving us enemas with Fleet? #RIPTwitter— Lucas Peach (@Lucas Peach)1583366233.0
@beybeckhamjr @kayvz This sounds like a great way to get everything out!— Driftless Thinking (@Driftless Thinking)1583346020.0
Pride joined in on the roasting of Twitter and confirmed to queer readers that the platform made a connection with anal douching.
"Yes, you read that correctly. Fleets, like the infamous/popular enema brand that many queer people use to douche their intimate parts in preparation for anal sex."
Homosexuals are about to get out of hand.— Brandon (@Brandon)1583342598.0
@greg_doucette Twitter is obviously positioning itself to be the enema of the people.— Snarkington P. Bear 🐻 (@Snarkington P. Bear 🐻)1583345733.0
Fleet emena when they heard Twitter is calling stories fleets https://t.co/B46IBSKGxo— Junko Thee Enoshima (@Junko Thee Enoshima)1583346693.0
@blgtylr the gay intern who came up with the name knew exactly what he was doing— Goopy Carbonara, Esq. (@Goopy Carbonara, Esq.)1583343096.0
Said "gay intern" speaks.
yes we know what fleets means. thanks - gay intern— Twitter Comms (@Twitter Comms)1583346765.0
Tech Crunch described Fleets as Twitter's solution for safe engagement and as a way to give users uncomfortable with the platform's public nature more control over their interactions.
It is one way to combat a person's old tweet being dug up and used to antagonize them.
Aside from all the humor, some reactions were favorable.
@kayvz Love this. Will be interesting to see if DM is right paradigm Starting conversation is one goal, but big as… https://t.co/bBFRe1oWSF— Paul Katsen (@Paul Katsen)1583342287.0
@kayvz Sweet! Thanks for finally providing us with an edit button! I know Twitter can be full of political vitriol… https://t.co/Psv4RDioIz— ceneblock (@ceneblock)1583343029.0
@kayvz That's brilliant. I need this rn.— Amelia "Amy" Martinez (@Amelia "Amy" Martinez)1583341996.0
While some could care less.
@kayvz That's basically like instagram 2.0 and I'm tired. Keep it, no one wants that— Patricia Gómexx || spn spoilers (@Patricia Gómexx || spn spoilers)1583343623.0
@kayvz Oh cool another way of people NOT interacting with what I want to say :)— ラ・マンチャ人椛 (@ラ・マンチャ人椛)1583350061.0
@kayvz just give us folders for bookmarks— . (@.)1583344209.0