Glossary of Online Chat-Related Terms and Phrases

No guide to online chat resource would be complete without a comprehensive glossary of relevant terminology associated with chat rooms, instant messaging and online forums. We've put together a list of chat related terms and phrases and their definitions to help you to navigate the sometimes confusing world of chat rooms, instant messengers and other forms of chats.

Avatar

Also known as AV.

The term given to an icon or image that represents a user in a chat or instant messaging (IM) session. An avatar is a caricature, not a realistic photo and can be a simple image or a fantasy figure.

Buddy List

See Contact List.

Channel

A particular chat room on IRC (Internet Relay Chat).

Chat Room

An online forum where people can chat online in real time - usually with a certain topic of conversation. Traditionally, chat rooms are text based but they can also involve audio and video. The two major forms of chatroom are the Internet Relay Chat service (IRC) and web-based programs (usually using JAVA).

Contact List

A collection of screen names in an Instant Messenger (IM) program used in Microsoft Windows Live Messenger, ICQ, Trillian and Miranda. The list is a window with a collection of screennames that represent other people. Double-clicking on any name will open an Instant Message session and allows the user to talk with that person.

Yahoo! Messenger and AOL Instant Messenger use the term Buddy List.

DCC

Direct Client to Client connection. Used to chat securely from computer to computer during an IRC (Internet Relay Chat) session. It can also be used to transfer files from one computer to another.

Display Picture

A picture commonly used on many instant messaging programs to represent the user or something related to them. This picture is displayed in the message window during conversations between users.

Download

To transfer a copy of a file that resides on another computer to your computer. Text files, picture files, document files and music files may be downloaded during chat room sessions and through instant messages, but extreme care must be taken that they come from a trusted source and that they are virus checked before opening.

Emoticon

Also known as a Smiley.

A sequence of text characters - for example :-) - or a small image that is intended to represent a human facial expression and convey an emotion in a chat room conversation, an instant message or other text-based message. This allows the user to clarify the tone of their message and show humour or other feelings that may be difficult to communicate in writing. Without emoticons, the lack of verbal and visual cues can otherwise cause what were intended to be sarcastic, funny or otherwise non-serious comments to be badly misinterpreted. The most common emoticon is the smiley face, which indicates that the user intends the message to be humorous :-) Read on for more examples ...

Flame Bait

Also known as Trolling.

This is a deliberate attempt to either cause or continue a flame war by posting a comment which is guaranteed to create an argument. Flame bait is often called trolling, where a user posts a message to a chat room or discussion group that is deliberately intended to start a flame war.

See also Flaming, Flame War and Troll.

Flame War

A series of flaming messages in electronic discussion groups such as chat rooms and Internet forums.

See also Flaming.

Flaming

The act of posting messages in a chat room (or other written discussion group) that are deliberately hostile and insulting. Such messages are called flames, and are sometimes posted in response to flamebait. A flame is not usually intended to be constructive, to further clarify a discussion, or to persuade other people; they are simply angry or insulting messages transmitted by people who have strong feelings about a subject. They may also be posted by users who are attempting to assert their authority, or establish a position of superiority.

See also Flame Bait, Flame War and Troll.

Flooding

The transmission of large amounts of data to either a channel or user; this usually involves posting large amounts of text to a chat window to gain attention.

Host

Person who oversees the quality of a chat room and encourages people to join in. They may also keep the history of an online community and organise special events.

Instant Messaging (IM)

A form of online communication in which users can send messages to each other in real time by typing them into their computer screens. Each person sees what the other has typed and can respond instantly. People who want to IM each other must be members of the same messaging service, such as Yahoo Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, America Online's AIM service or ICQ.

Internet Relay Chat (IRC)

A multi-user chat system, where people meet on channels (chat rooms) to talk in groups, or privately - usually with a certain topic of conversation. There is no restriction to the number of people that can participate in a given discussion, or the number of channels that can be formed on IRC.

Lag

The time it takes for an entered message in a chat room to be read by others. This time is usually measured in seconds; 10 seconds or less is normally acceptable. However, when the net is unstable, there can be several minutes of 'lag' between one person and another.

Lurker

A person who reads discussions in a chatroom, but rarely participates. Although lurking may sound sinister, it is actually good netiquette. Many Internet communities advise newcomers to lurk for some time to get a feel for the specific culture of the community, lest they make an inappropriate or redundant comment, ask a frequently asked question or incite a flame war.

Moderator

A person who has been granted special powers to enforce the rules of an Internet chat room or forum. They deal with any messages or chat that break the rules that the online community has agreed to, and generally keep the chatroom a friendly place, free of personal insults. They usually have the power to ban disruptive and offensive people from the room.

Netiquette

The rules of conduct that govern how people should behave when using the Internet. These guidelines are designed to make life in cyberspace pleasant and comfortable for everyone. See Chat Room Etiquette for more details.

Online Community

A group of people who regularly visit a social area on the Internet, such as a chat room or message board. The activities usually centre on a particular interest or common practice, such as books, cars, cooking, films or sports.

Troll

Someone who posts inflammatory, rude or offensive messages in a chat room or other discussion group. These messages are designed to annoy and antagonize the existing members or disrupt the flow of discussion.

See also Flame Bait, Flame War and Flaming.