Not understanding expressions like that is a sign of mental illness.
That is correct....people who have schizophrenia type disorders cannot process abstract phrases very well..that disability could lend credence that the subject has that type of mental disorder. But then, modern “wapo writer” could be synonymous with “mental disorder”
One of the hallmarks of autism is the tendency of its victims to take things literally. For example, if one is told to "hit the road," he may go outside and strike the pavement with his fist.
I wonder if the Pest has finally given up and taken to hiring autistics to write their sphincter swipe.