Why did they have to choose “toot”? I know different instances can re-label it but… ouch.
I know people made fun of “tweet” but it was a logical and neutral word.
A "tweet" is no less logical and neutral than a "toot" (a Mastodon making a sound with its trunk). You're just used to the word "tweet".
Exactly. Same way how people can subscribe to a company's Twitter account. Except that the company owns the content, server, and can define their own rules.
I think your parent was trying to point out how "toots" and "masto" are at odds with the professional image many companies try to present.
I also hate ‘toot’ and find it very awkward and much prefer if people just would refer to it as a ‘message’