choose violence
phrase
to boldly say or do something likely to arouse (playful) controversy
What does choose violence mean?
To choose violence, in the slang sense, is to intentionally and confidently say or do something likely to arouse controversy, usually playful controversy over something not terribly serious.
Examples of choose violence
When you wake up and choose violence [accompanied by image of a cast-iron skillet in a dishwasher]
—@lucas_a_meyer, Threads, 28 May 2024
Chose violence today, huh? [in response to someone else’s post reading “Modern fandom is an invalid way of consuming media”]
—Merriam-Webster Chose Violence [accompanied by screenshot of a Merriam-Webster Instagram post reading “the ancient texts must not be forgotten” in response to another account’s post of Millennial slang]
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Where does choose violence come from?
The slang use of choose violence is thought to stem from a 2016 episode of the fantasy series Game of Thrones featuring the following exchange:
LANCEL LANNISTER: Order your man to step aside or there will be violence.
CERSEI LANNISTER: I choose violence.
Lannister (Cersei, that is) was choosing literal violence, but a figurative use possibly inspired by the scene appeared a few years later on Twitter, in reference to controversial singer and rapper Azealia Banks.
azealia banks wakes up every morning and chooses violence tbh the dedication is outstanding
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Since that tweet, constructions involving choose violence have also often included variations of “wake (up) in the morning,” showing its influence.
How is choose violence used?
Usually humorously and tongue-in-cheek. There are literal ways to choose violence, none of which we recommend, and none of which are referred to by the slang use of choose violence. The phrase, in various permutations, is most often invoked for less serious offenses, like suggesting a hot dog is a sandwich, or that a hot dog is not a sandwich.
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