tailspin vs tail-spin

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david11

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Tweet 1 person: Why does any dispassionate analysis of Modi's leadership claims send his followers on Twitter into a tailspin?

Tweet 2 person :
Or tale-spin?

Tweet 1 person: haha, that's a good one!

I do not understand what is meant by tailspin or what is the difference between tailspin and tail-spin?

(Context: Modi's follower would get angry and start abusing for any dispassionate analysis)


 
Tweet 1 person: Why does any dispassionate analysis of Modi's leadership claims send his followers on Twitter into a tailspin?

Tweet 2 person :
Or tale-spin?

Tweet 1 person: haha, that's a good one!

I do not understand what is meant by tailspin or what is the difference between tailspin and tail-spin?

(Context: Modi's follower would get angry and start abusing for any dispassionate analysis)



It's tale, not tail. Have a look at this definition of "spin" and see if it helps you to understand. spin noun (CHANGE IDEAS) - definition in British English Dictionary & Thesaurus - Cambridge Dictionary Online
 
It's a pun. A tailspin is a usually fatal manoeuvre in an aircraft that involves losing control. Modi loses control.

There is the collocation 'to spin a tale', meaning to tell a story. The 2nd tweeter had to use a hyphen to make the joke* clear.

b

PS * not much of one; 140 characters don't give much scope for spinning a tale. But some people in the twittersphere are free with their LOLs. ;-)
 
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