Against the grain

[SaagAloopa]

What does this mean? It seems to be on posts where a couple of people have agreed with OP and then someone comes along to disagree (or the other way round) So I'm guessing "the grain" is the first few posters who have agreed. But why is the ettiqute to announce your opinion is different to the previous 3 or 4 posters? What is the grain? Wheat?

My understanding is that it's to do with disagreement in the context of mumsnet or similar but the idea is from wood where, if you plane it 'against the grain' ie against the direction the wood naturally grows you'll lift the fibres of wood and not have a smooth finish. So if you 'go against the grain' you'll end up with whatever you're making being of less good quality and finish.

Definition attached.

It comes from woodworking - you go with the grain in the wood create a smooth finish, going against the grain can cause splinters.

Ah I see so it's like saying sorry we're not all agreeing so this isn't smooth

@SaagAloopa yep that's it 😊

Thank you I did try to Google it but it didn't come up with the wood thing! Thanks