Noob

About

“Noob” is a common abbreviation for a new and inexperienced user.

Origin

Noob originated from the word “Newbie”^[13], a term originally used in the 1960s–1970s among U.S. troops in the Vietnam War as a slang term for a new man in a unit. The term is believed to have entered online usage by 1988 on Usenet.^[14]

Usage

The word noob is typically used to insult new members when they do less-than-smart things. People using the word “noob” can be found commonly in chat, forums, in-game chat in both PC and console gaming. Basically any place where Internet Slang is used.

Variations and Meaning

Although “noob” is still the most popular abbreviation, other variations have also been made. These have also changed the meaning of the original “noob”, as “noob” was originally used for each variation. Each variation can also be found in the Urban Dictionary.

• Noob^[7] is the standard and most popular variation. It is most commonly used to new and inexperienced people. They are commonly seen as annoying and disrespectful, not willing to learn anything about the subject they are “noob” in. A popular derivative of this is “n00b”^[8]. These share the same meaning, but n00b is more commonly used in places where 1337-speak is present.
• Newb^[9] is also used towards new and inexperienced players. The common difference with noob is that these people are aware of their inexperience and are willing to learn more about it in order to get better.
• Newfag^[10] is the 4chan and one of the more popular -fag suffixes. It is used most commonly towards new and inexperienced users on 4chan, but has spread to other sites as well.

Dictionary Mentioning

By May of 2009, noob had become such a commonly used word, that a popular “Noob will be added to the dictionary” rumor began to float around. This was also mentioned on Geekologie^[1], Destructoid^[2] and Pixelated Geek^[3].

The problem here was that there is no official English Dictionary. The Global Language Monitor^[4] is a credible source that analyzes English language trends, and only adds a word to their dictionary when it has been used in print journalism 25,000 times. While GLM’s work is highly cited, there is no decision making body that officiates over the English language as a whole. But it’s acceptance as online slang has earned it a spot in the Online Slang Dictionary.^[12]

Although noob is still not mentioned in the Merriam-Webster Online^[5], it did got added to Oxford Dictionaries^[6] with the following description:

A person who is inexperienced in a particular sphere or activity, especially computing or the use of the Internet.

Other Resources

As of November 16th, 2008, UrbanDictionary.com has 188 submitted definitions for Noob. The highest ranking is a three part essay by Slyke The Phoxenix, written on August 27th, 2007.^[11]

Contents:

A. INTRO
I. What is this?
II. Defining ‘Noob’

B. COMMON NOOB CHARACTERISTICS
I. Noobish
II. Where to find noobs
III. Behavior of noobs
IV. Noob religion
V. More about noob habitats

C. AVOIDING NOOBS
I. Make sure you aren’t one
II. Major noob avoiding strategies

Image Examples

Notable Derivatives

STFU NOOB!

STFU NOOB! is a catchphrase most commonly used in image macros, using images of angry people or animals in a screaming position. This originated from online gaming. Noobs would often complain about various things within the game, to the extend where others would become annoyed. One of the more popular replies to this was “STFU NOOB!”.

Newfags Can’t Triforce

“Newfags Can’t Triforce” is a often occurring 4chan roll call / response meme. Experienced members (oldfags) would challenge new members (newfags) to post a triforce, which is 3 triangles assembled into a larger triangle. Oldfags would be aware that this requires the usage of alt-codes, whereas newfags would simply copy & paste, failing in the proces.

Noob Tube

Noob Tube is internet slang used in first person shooter games to refer to the attachment of an under slung grenade launcher to assault rifles. Because it is relatively easy to kill another player with the grenade launcher and the attachment’s tube-like shape, “Noob Tube” has become associated with newbie players who opt for grenade launcher mode.

Search Interest

External References