From a legal point of view, is this a threat?

My mom and I were arguing when the laundry machine made a loud noise and apparently it was because I, "did something to it". She very angrily yelled, "get up here and if you're really nice I wont smash your head in with the laundry machine." SHE HAS NEVER said anything like that before. Because I've never heard her say anything like that, and look so angry and unforgiving, I took it as a threat. I told her at the time that it sounded threatening and she continuously backed it up by saying, "It's not a threat unless I direct it at you..." Is this true, or could it be considered a threat depending on how it's taken? (Compare it to going into an airport and saying to the security guard, "If you don't scan my bags I promise not to blow the airport up."... they'd question things...)

I'm a full time college student living with her until my dad gets back from Iraq.
Not being, "dramatic", about it. The reason I find it threatening is because she has never ever said anything like that, I've seen her more angry than that before and she would not ever joke like that in a normal conversation. I think I'm the only one here that can say I know my own mom, and I have never seen her eyes flare up like that and her progress towards me in such a way.

to me its this easy. from the additional details, sounds as if you are over 18, LEAVE. If not, grow up. Sound like a bratty teenager to me. your story is very one sided, why not tell what you had been saying and what u did to get her so mad. Hate to break this to you, but moving in with daddy aint going to fix the problem for long. You a student move on campus then wont have to worry about who u living with, and can learn a little responsiblity. Rather or not its a threat really isnt the issue. but i dont concider it one due to lack of follow through.

why are you being so dramatic? you had an argument, who cares if you feel threatened, this country has freedom of speech, it's not illegal unless you do something.

No, that's a threat because she did direct it at you. If she didn't, who the hell was she talking to?

Of course it's a threat: the kind people make every day without the slightest intent of following through. Lighten up!

Just do what your mom says and stop direspecting her by arguing.

no it's not a threat. She is venting in there