} else {                # not a short reply
            if (!$infobots{$nuh} and $theVerb =~ /is/) {
                my($x) = int(rand(16));
                # oh this could be done much better
                if ($x <= 5) {
                    $theMsg= "$orig_Y is $theMsg";
                }
                if ($x == 6) {
                    $theMsg= "i think $orig_Y is $theMsg";
                }
                if ($x == 7) {
                    $theMsg= "hmmm... $orig_Y is $theMsg";
                }
                if ($x == 8) {
                    $theMsg= "it has been said that $orig_Y is $theMsg";
                }
                if ($x == 9) {
                    $theMsg= "$orig_Y is probably $theMsg";
                }
                if ($x == 10) {
                    $theMsg =~ s/[.!?]+$//;
                    $theMsg= "rumour has it $orig_Y is $theMsg";
                    # $theMsg .= " dumbass";
                }
                if ($x == 11) {
                    $theMsg= "i heard $orig_Y was $theMsg";
                }
                if ($x == 12) {
                    $theMsg= "somebody said $orig_Y was $theMsg";
                }
                if ($x == 13) {
                    $theMsg= "i guess $orig_Y is $theMsg";
                }
                if ($x == 14) {
                    $theMsg= "well, $orig_Y is $theMsg";
                }
                if ($x == 15) {
                    $theMsg =~ s/[.!?]+$//;
                    $theMsg= "$orig_Y is, like, $theMsg";
                }