Ok, let me start this off nicely. We're all AiC fans here. You know, above average intellegence, nonconformists, etc. And this is something, though accepted elsewhere as normal, we should not do, as it is pretty stupid, and we are not stupid, and don't care what everyone else says is normal. Now that you're confused and wondering what I'm talking about, I'll get to my point.

From dictionary.com-

thread  Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[thred] 1. a fine cord of flax, cotton, or other fibrous material spun out to considerable length, esp. when composed of two or more filaments twisted together. 

fo·rum  Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[fawr-uhm, fohr-uhm] 1. the marketplace or public square of an ancient Roman city, the center of judicial and business affairs and a place of assembly for the people. 

Ok. We all see a problem. Thread and forum go together in people's minds just like, say, salt and UFOs, or peanut butter and the Colossus of Rhodes. One of those common pairs. And since we're nonconformist geeks, I say either we-

A) Change all instances of the word forum on this site, unless referring to ancient Rome or a different, lesser site with message boards, to "Spool" or "Cloth", etc, or

B) Change all instances of the word thread on this site, unless referring to clothing or a different, lesser site with message boards, to "Column" or "Pillar", etc.

Granted, a forum is a meeting place, so B makes more sense.

I'm actually somewhat serious about this. We should do it.

Oh wait I do know it's because I'm a geek

Haha sorry for the confusion

I think I may have to edit your "...upright consisting of a piece of timber or metal fixed firmly in an upright position"...because of its "geekiness"...