Confusing Thatcher hashtag sends Cher's fans into mourning

A Twitter hashtag on the death of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher triggered mourning, not just among followers of the "Iron Lady", but also among fans of singer Cher. The confusion stemmed from the hashtag #nowthatchersdead marking Thatcher's passing, but which some Twitter followers took to mean "now that Cher's dead." English comedian and actor Ricky Gervais summed up the confusion:

Some people are in a frenzy over the hashtag #nowthatchersdead.It's "Now Thatcher's dead". Not, "Now that Cher's dead" JustSayin' — Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) April 8, 2013

Tech site Mashable posted the tweets of some of the bewildered Twitter users:

I'm very confused with the hashtag #nowthatchersdead.Did Cher Die ? — Rainbow Pickering (@CARRICKISMYICON) April 8, 2013

I can't believe that Cher is dead. Do you believe in life after love? — Nicholas Mulligan (@nickmulligan) April 8, 2013

Cher, of course, is still very much alive. Chris Matyszczyk of tech site CNET tried to clarify things by creating the new hashtag #nowthatchersalive.

Dear fans of @cher. Your hashtag isn't #nowthatchersdead. It's #nowthatchersalive. Believe. — Chris Matyszczyk (@ChrisMatyszczyk) April 8, 2013

— DVM, GMA News