re: Creative threats your parents came up with

Some dads are more passive than others. Some fathers will knock the snot out of their kid. It ain't child abuse. Others will nurture and coddle their child.

The poster said he squared off with his father. Most dads I know would pound their son into sand if their kid did that. Some won't. Ergo, it depends on the dad.
It ain't necessarily child abuse to leave a bruise on your kid.