If that reads strangely, it's because I didn't know how else to present it, nor to whom I could learn more about this "phenomenon," since this is the Miscellaneous section.
Back story:
In the Tumblr days of ten years ago, one of my friends would post the usual variety of commentary regarding various fandoms (did I state that correctly?). She mentioned "shipping" in regard to--I believe it was an Agent Valentine--so whatever that was part of. I believe that there was a discussion of shipping here on TrekBBS not long ago!
She and I had met swing dancing, so the next time I saw her at a dance, I asked her what "shipping" referred to. She gave me a rather cold look, and said that "shipping" was a word confined to online usage, and not to be spoken aloud. I had never heard of such a thing in my life! I then asked her what was the matter with my asking her what it meant. She grudgingly informed me, and we got past that--thankfully.
She is a late Millennial, and not terrible adept, socially, but it made me wonder if there are there *words* that some group of people has deemed for online discourse only, and not to be spoken, especially in regard to niche-interests. I realize that certain words and phrases read better than they are spoken, and vice-versa, but can anyone assist as to this "phenomenon" which frankly makes no sense, but reminds me of how a group who don't really have much going for them make up "rules" that will then lead them to look down on others who don't abide by them, even if they defy reason, or aren't known to others.
If that's clear as mud, I take the blame. I have a number of other niche interests such as collecting 78rpm records, vintage men's clothing from the 1910's-1930's, antiquarian books, and there's "shop talk" associated with each, but I can't think of any words or phrases that are only to be used by the "initiated" and none else.
So odd; but so is this posting, I guess. Anyway, any help in making sense of this is appreciated.
Back story:
In the Tumblr days of ten years ago, one of my friends would post the usual variety of commentary regarding various fandoms (did I state that correctly?). She mentioned "shipping" in regard to--I believe it was an Agent Valentine--so whatever that was part of. I believe that there was a discussion of shipping here on TrekBBS not long ago!
She and I had met swing dancing, so the next time I saw her at a dance, I asked her what "shipping" referred to. She gave me a rather cold look, and said that "shipping" was a word confined to online usage, and not to be spoken aloud. I had never heard of such a thing in my life! I then asked her what was the matter with my asking her what it meant. She grudgingly informed me, and we got past that--thankfully.
She is a late Millennial, and not terrible adept, socially, but it made me wonder if there are there *words* that some group of people has deemed for online discourse only, and not to be spoken, especially in regard to niche-interests. I realize that certain words and phrases read better than they are spoken, and vice-versa, but can anyone assist as to this "phenomenon" which frankly makes no sense, but reminds me of how a group who don't really have much going for them make up "rules" that will then lead them to look down on others who don't abide by them, even if they defy reason, or aren't known to others.
If that's clear as mud, I take the blame. I have a number of other niche interests such as collecting 78rpm records, vintage men's clothing from the 1910's-1930's, antiquarian books, and there's "shop talk" associated with each, but I can't think of any words or phrases that are only to be used by the "initiated" and none else.
So odd; but so is this posting, I guess. Anyway, any help in making sense of this is appreciated.
