Noob (1974)

added Nov 15, 2009 at 04:35PM UTC

32 Comments
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part of a series on Internet Slang

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About

“Noob” is a common abbreviation for “newbie,” meaning a new user.

Usage

The word noob is typically used to insult new members when they do less-than-smart things. For instance, getting “pwned” on Runescape gets you the title of noob. Getting pwned on WoW gets you the title of noob. And, of course, noobish actions on 4chan result in 4chan’s own unique title of “newfag.”

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.

So popular that it’s a real word?

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.

PixelatedGeek.com further muddied the waters by addding ““Noob” to be added to the official english dictionary?”

The problem here is that there is no “official English Dictionary.” The Dictionary in question is the one curated by The Global Language Monitor . GLM 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 today, Noob is still not listed in Merriam-Webster Online.

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.
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

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32 Comments

Memedude7737
Nov 15, 2009 at 04:42PM UTC , Memedude7737 wrote:

Oh yes, and I’m not sure if I should have an NSFW tag or not.

Tomberry
Nov 15, 2009 at 04:51PM UTC , Tomberry wrote:

NSFW ? No, nowadays, “noob” isn’t seen as an insult.
In France, we have a Tv/Web show called “Noob” going for its second season this year:

Memedude7737
Nov 15, 2009 at 04:58PM UTC , Memedude7737 wrote:

I was referring to the “SHUT THE FUCK UP!” part.

Memedude7737
Nov 15, 2009 at 05:05PM UTC , Memedude7737 wrote:

Meh, I’ll tag it.

Chris Menning
Nov 15, 2009 at 05:57PM UTC , Chris Menning wrote:

Where do you get 2006 from? Is that a guess?

Taryn
Nov 15, 2009 at 06:01PM UTC , Taryn wrote:

No, “Newb” is the abbreviation word for newbie.
Newb is someone who is new to a thread/game, noob is someone who isn’t new and just plain sucks and uses newb tactics.

Memedude7737
Nov 15, 2009 at 07:37PM UTC , Memedude7737 wrote:

Well, I figure whenever Xbox live started, that’s when noob started. So… 2004?

Tomberry
Nov 15, 2009 at 07:45PM UTC , Tomberry wrote:

I recall using the “Noob” word on Diablo II Battle.net, as well as Starcraft Battle.net, so, around 2000 for me, even before that.

I don’t know if the place where it was first used still exists…

Memedude7737
Nov 15, 2009 at 07:51PM UTC , Memedude7737 wrote:

So.. what, unknown?

Tomberry
Nov 15, 2009 at 07:56PM UTC , Tomberry wrote:

Hey, it’s up to you to make effort finding something closer to the origin in the first place.
I’m sure it’s much older than 2004, that’s all.

Memedude7737
Nov 15, 2009 at 07:58PM UTC , Memedude7737 wrote:

Well, I guess it depends on when the first RPG/MMO came out then. I’ll look it up.

Ben "Jammin" Proctor
Nov 15, 2009 at 08:11PM UTC , Ben "Jammin" Proctor wrote:

This is undoubtedly a meme

Memedude7737
Nov 15, 2009 at 09:21PM UTC , Memedude7737 wrote:

Well, I got 1974 from D&D. Now how do I file this under “internet slang”?

Shadowfury
Nov 15, 2009 at 09:25PM UTC , Shadowfury wrote:

The admins take care of that.

Good entry, btw.

Hector Hessy
Nov 15, 2009 at 10:07PM UTC , Hector Hessy wrote:

nice one memedude

Jamie Dubs
Nov 16, 2009 at 04:01AM UTC , Jamie Dubs wrote:

Cleaned up the article a bit. Does anyone know of the early history of the word?

I know Chris Menning knows some clever techniques for doing date-searching… I imagine “noob” dates back to BBSes or farther!

ILuVKDyEr
Nov 16, 2009 at 07:18PM UTC , ILuVKDyEr wrote:

Most (if not all) people that even use this term are in fact the real noobs.

Memedude7737
Nov 16, 2009 at 08:41PM UTC , Memedude7737 wrote:

I guess the NSFW tag is unnecessary now, right?

Taryn
Nov 16, 2009 at 11:55PM UTC , Taryn wrote:

“No, “Newb” is the abbreviation word for newbie.
Newb is someone who is new to a thread/game, noob is someone who isn’t new and just plain sucks and uses newb tactics.”
Is anyone even listening to me?

Taryn
Nov 16, 2009 at 11:58PM UTC , Taryn wrote:

“But today, Noob is still not listed in Merriam-Webster. We are not certain if Oxford has chosen to acknowledge noob as word because access is limited to subscribers.”
Yes it is, I have a 2008 dictionary that lists it.

Memedude7737
Nov 17, 2009 at 01:46AM UTC , Memedude7737 wrote:

Taryn, can you provide proof for your statement? Because I’ve never heard of those speculations.

Begin
Nov 17, 2009 at 05:00PM UTC , Begin wrote:

Very nice post, but I’d add the origin (you said it was D&D, right?) and try to add its origin on the internet if possible. A Google Interest graph would be cool, too.

kikinak
Nov 17, 2009 at 05:24PM UTC , kikinak wrote:

i think this would be better for the internet dictionary thing but if you think this qualifies as a meme go ahead

Tomberry
Nov 18, 2009 at 02:18AM UTC , Tomberry wrote:

Ode to noobs, “Je suis un Noob”, by Noob’s crew and a rock band from Toulon, France:

Veuillez installer Flash Player pour lire la vidéoNoob_s02_clip01_(-olydri-studio-) sélectionné dans Jeux Vidéo et MMO / RPG

Because I like to advertise their show.

ILuVKDyEr
Nov 19, 2009 at 07:41PM UTC , ILuVKDyEr wrote:

@Taryn, yes i agree. You are in fact very correct I wanted to say somthing myself but ddnt feel like it.

Chris Menning
Nov 19, 2009 at 08:06PM UTC , Chris Menning wrote:

There are still two glaring issues before this can be confirmed.

#1. D&D is listed as the origin with 1974 listed as the year of origin. D&D was indeed created in 1974, but do you have any evidence that the word Noob was present in the game right from the start?

#2. Wikipedia lists the earliest appearence of “Newbie” online as 1981, was used by soldiers in Viet Nam prior to that, and may have even been used during WWII.

Jenn
Nov 26, 2009 at 04:10AM UTC , Jenn wrote:

I am on the fence on whether or not this should count as a meme. It is something almost everyone on the internet knows of yet there are some unknowns on its origin.

Tomberry
Dec 02, 2009 at 08:00PM UTC , Tomberry wrote:

Because I completely messed up, like a real noob, my other comment, here’s the video clip I talked about recently upload to Youtube:

bhbogue
Feb 05, 2010 at 07:19AM UTC , bhbogue wrote:

this isn’t what the word “meme” means

Memedude7737
Feb 13, 2010 at 06:12PM UTC , Memedude7737 wrote:

Ah, the infamous noob tube.

I almost forgot this was here.

MBollinger
Mar 10, 2010 at 08:08AM UTC , MBollinger wrote:

Thanks for the meaningful opinion.
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MBollinger
Mar 10, 2010 at 08:09AM UTC , MBollinger wrote:

Nice & Great Site.
earn online degree | accredited degree

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