ok, the right term (using RFC2616 lingo) for the -X keyword is method and not

request

docs/curl.1

@@ -1074,10 +1074,10 @@ embedded user + password.
 
 If this option is used several times, the last one will be used.
 .IP "-X/--request <command>"
-(HTTP)
-Specifies a custom request to use when communicating with the HTTP server.
-The specified request will be used instead of the standard GET. Read the
-HTTP 1.1 specification for details and explanations.
+(HTTP) Specifies a custom request method to use when communicating with the
+HTTP server.  The specified request will be used instead of the method
+otherwise used (which defaults to GET). Read the HTTP 1.1 specification for
+details and explanations.
 
 (FTP)
 Specifies a custom FTP command to use instead of LIST when doing file lists