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Perhaps because they think he's funny--
Frankly, I find the whole concept rather amusing.
Might be a cultural difference. spitting is considered rude in my country, not funny.
It's considered rather rude in my country as well--
However, it can also be an extreme expression of disdain in many cultures, which is how it's being used here.
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Raskahn
Getting real tired of the Leper gnome. This comic managed to make me grin but the use of the gnome killed it. Why do they try so hard to make him funny when the joke had only 1 or 2 laughs in it at best?