Re: Lurking

From: Benjamin Foy <bfoy@access5.digex.net>

Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 00:00:00 +0000

On Tue, 17 Nov 1998 zirto@indepth.com wrote:

> > Whats this LURKING thing then, whats it all about?

Lurking is in any dictionary and is viable English word.

> Lurking, in reference to PBM/PBEM gaming, is just spectating.
> Now the degree of lurking that a GM/moderator/program allows
> can vary greatly.

I person who doesn't post to a newsgroup (but reads the newsgroup) is
hidden from everyone else who reads/posts to that newsgroup.  So saying
that person is lurking on the newsgroup is a perfectly fine use of the
word as it is defined in any dictionary.  I like that use of the word
because it implies a certain sense of humor.

> So, does anyone know where the term originated?  I know of a
> reference that suggests that here is a similarity between the
> Lurkers on Babylon 5 and PBEM lurkering.  But, I imagine that
> the term predates the series.

Yes, by about 1000 years.  Lurk is from Middle English and is related to a
word from an old Germantic language.

- Ben

---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Cold hearted orb that rules the night,
 Removes the colours from our sight.
 Red is grey and yellow white,
 But we decide which one is right.
 And which is an illusion???."
      from Nights in White Satin by The Moody Blues 1967

References

Lurking
"Warrior Games - News" <warrior@zen.co.uk>
Mon, 16 Nov 1998 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Lurking
zirto@indepth.com
Tue, 17 Nov 1998 00:00:00 +0000