Internet Lingo Explained!

Out there in the vast expanse that is the internet, a whole lot of words exist that aren't in dictionaries, and hopefully won't ever end up there. The purpose of this guide is to help you understand and use these words correctly.

1. Noob

I'm sure that many of my three readers have run into the use of the word "noob" on the internet at least several times. From what I understand and believe, the word "noob" originated from the compound and abbreviated word, "newb." "Newb" is believed to be an abbreviation for "New Beginner," which sounds kind of redundant. On the other hand, I suppose the only other kind of beginner is an old beginner, which abbreviated would be "oldb," which is much harder to pronounce. The word was then changed based on the common pronunciation, and became "noob." It has since devolved to words like "nub," or, to be more 1337*, "n00b." These words, in turn, have devolved into other words (see "nubcake").

Whether or not in can barely call itself a word, there is a correct place, time, and way to use it, and there are incorrect places, times, and ways to use it.

CORRECT USAGE
Correct usage of the word "noob" is fairly simple. In a situation where somebody tries something, and fails, noob is easily applicable.

VISUAL AIDE



Noob!


As you can see, this failure of a skateboarder has failed, and can therefore correctly be called a noob.

INCORRECT USAGE
Incorrect usage of "noob" happens all to often. If some unavoidable and unfortunate event befalls somebody, calling them a noob is incorrect.

VISUAL AIDE



Not a noob!


2. Woot

Woot, or w00t, was originally an acronym: "W.O.O.T." which stood for "We Own Other Teams." It was commonly used in team games, both before, after, and during the game, players would shout/type/say "W.O.O.T." to both bolster their team, and discourage the enemy. How effective it was/is remains for discussion, but either way, that is no longer what the word is used for. Nowadays ('cause that sounds pretty fancy) it's more often used when one person proves another wrong, or is just happy, or excited.

CORRECT USAGE

Woot can be applied to a lot of things. If somebody finishes college, or aces a test, or even just doesn't a fail a test, it is perfectly acceptable to put on facebook, or even say it.

VISUAL AIDE

There really is no visual aide for woot. Sorry.

INCORRECT USAGE

Woot should not be applied to bad things. For example, if Michael Jackson died, a the facebook status of a fan should not read, "Woot! Michael Jackson died!"

More coming soon, including
FAIL
and
1337