Userphrases vs Usernames June 2, 2005 6:54 AM   Subscribe

I'd like to open a discussion on the seemingly growing trend of new users choosing a phrase as a username. My opinion of these username choices is _____. My suggestion to Matt is _____.
posted by Witty to Etiquette/Policy at 6:54 AM (95 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite

"they sure do take a long time to type"

"get some sleep, you must be tired."

Really, this is a non-issue.
posted by papercake at 6:57 AM on June 2, 2005


oh dear.
posted by sgt.serenity at 6:58 AM on June 2, 2005


"they sure do take a long time to type"

Copy and paste is a wonderful thing.
posted by jonmc at 7:01 AM on June 2, 2005


"clicking a longer username is just as easy as clicking a short one"

"go for a walk, it's a nice day outside"
posted by jessamyn at 8:29 AM on June 2, 2005


oh! MadLibs!

My opinion of these username choices is rutabaga. My suggestion to Matt is quickly.
posted by amberglow at 8:30 AM on June 2, 2005 [1 favorite]


My opinion of these username choices is long-necked. My suggestion to Matt is obliviate.
posted by selfnoise at 8:33 AM on June 2, 2005


Idon'tgiveadamnifyoulikemynameornot.
posted by Idon'tgiveadamnifyoulikemynameornot at 8:36 AM PST on June 2 [!]

Personally I'd like to see a username that somehow incorporates the marquee tag.
posted by Shane at 8:37 AM on June 2, 2005


Perhaps Witty is volunteering to personally vet the names of new users, prior to those users being allowed to post. The users whose names failed to measure up to the high standards Witty expects, would be ejected from the site, and would automatically forfeit their $5. They would, of course, be more than welcome to try again (assuming that they have another $5), after a period of quiet reflection upon their error.

Also, Witty: Get. A. Life.
posted by veedubya at 8:38 AM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is beside the point. My suggestion to Matt is try the braised salmon; it's mighty tasty.
posted by goatdog at 8:39 AM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is Oh mi gosh! I had no idea this was such a problem. Of course I will change my name immediately!

My suggestion to Matt is send me to my room without any supper and only the new John Irving novel and a box of Godiva chocolates to keep me company. And if Johnny Depp wants to drop by, that's OK too.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 8:41 AM on June 2, 2005


i think i love this thread. (or more specifically, the replies in this thread.)
posted by keswick at 8:46 AM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is that they really should have used indecipherable acronyms instead. My suggestion to Matt is ttrshuiai.
posted by yhbc at 8:46 AM on June 2, 2005


ambivalent / to pretend this thread never happened.
posted by crunchland at 8:48 AM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is they are funnier and more clever than me, damnit. My suggestion to Matt is to ignore MetaTalk completely and let the antsy users mentally torture each other with weird, pedantic power struggles. Now that we've got the flag system, there's nothing really hot in the gray.
posted by Gucky at 8:54 AM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is a long winded, convoluted and improbably illogical pontification which you have been spared from. My suggestion to Matt is send us lots of good Cascadian craft-beer and chronic.



Ohhh Cascadia!
Your bikes are as tall as trees.
Your grrls are punk.
Your beer is skunk.
And your ganja stinks like wee!

posted by loquacious at 8:55 AM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is that sometimes they're clever and sometimes they're stupid, just like all the other user names. My suggestion to Matt is that he never tells his little Fiona about the site lest she get sucked into the blue vortex as he has been.
posted by orange swan at 8:56 AM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is that they show some great creativity and are far more witty than Witty. My suggestion to matt is irrelevant. After all, I'm NotMyselfRightNow.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 8:58 AM on June 2, 2005


"My opinion of these username choices is brilliant. My suggestion to Matt is encourge them."

jonmc writes "Copy and paste is a wonderful thing."

Metafilthy baby!

Shane writes "Personally I'd like to see a username that somehow incorporates the marquee tag."

Marquee has been disabled.

I think we should figure out what each letter in the acronim WITTY stands for and use that phrase from now on when addressing him.

Besides If I Had An Anus is classic.
posted by Mitheral at 8:58 AM on June 2, 2005


I don't understand the problem.
posted by Eat shit and die, you lib'rul fucks at 9:01 AM on June 2, 2005


Geez... take it easy people. Get a life? Ban Witty? Non-issue? Ok. Then don't participate. I was just curious what other people thought about it. Good lord.
posted by Witty at 9:04 AM on June 2, 2005


[This won't look right on firefox/pc. I don't know how to get it not to insert a carriage return. Other browsers seem perfectly happy placing a marquee on the same line as earlier text.]

posted by Shane at 8:37 AM PST on June 2 [!]
posted by nobody at 9:09 AM on June 2, 2005


Marquee has been disabled.

since when?!?!
posted by keswick at 9:12 AM on June 2, 2005


nobody: "This won't look right on firefox/pc. I don't know how to get it not to insert a carriage return. Other browsers seem perfectly happy placing a marquee on the same line as earlier text."


You're lucky it displays at all, considering marquee is not a valid HTML 4.0 Transitional tag.
posted by Plutor at 9:19 AM on June 2, 2005


I've never noticed it. I have noticed, however, inapprorpriate names, such as witty for example, when the person is not. That sort of thing.
posted by juiceCake at 9:22 AM on June 2, 2005


oh noes! not a valid HTML 4.0 transitional tag??!?!?!
posted by keswick at 9:22 AM on June 2, 2005


my opinion of these username choices is shut the fuck up, Witty. my suggestion to matt is shut the fuck up, Witty.
posted by quonsar at 9:31 AM on June 2, 2005


What the hell's going on in here?
posted by
NotTheCapn
at 9:35 AM PST on June 2 [!]



Yeah, seriously!
posted by Capn at 9:38 AM on June 2, 2005


I think they're cute and funny. And what quonsar said.
posted by knave at 9:46 AM on June 2, 2005


oh boy. this can't be good.
posted by blag at 9:49 AM on June 2, 2005


Invalid data lunchtime for CFSQLTYPE CF_SQL_INTEGER.

now I'm hungry, disappointed and sad.
posted by malocchio at 9:51 AM on June 2, 2005


By the way, Witty, you left out my favorite one.
posted by knave at 9:57 AM on June 2, 2005


I like "IIHAA" better, it warms my cockles. Did I get the phrase right, q?
posted by If I Had An Anus at 10:05 AM on June 2, 2005


WITTY = "What Is Two Times Yellow?"

or

"Why Isn't This Thread Yonder?"
posted by socratic at 10:11 AM on June 2, 2005


(or the obligatory boyzone example)

"Women In Tank-Tops... Yes!"
posted by socratic at 10:12 AM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is apathy. My suggestion to Matt is shut the site down and show these whiny bastards.
posted by terrapin at 10:16 AM on June 2, 2005


What the heck I haven't been able to get this marquee code:


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to work before. I wonder if it doesn't work in ask or something.
posted by Mitheral at 10:22 AM on June 2, 2005


Geez... take it easy people. Get a life? Ban Witty? Non-issue? Ok. Then don't participate. I was just curious what other people thought about it. Good lord.

Don't you sort of know what other people think of it now?
posted by cortex at 10:29 AM on June 2, 2005


Bees!
posted by Specklet at 10:44 AM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is Witty. My suggestion to Matt is ignored.
posted by soyjoy at 10:46 AM on June 2, 2005


My suggestion to Matt is Witty. My opinion of these username choices is ignored.
posted by nobody at 10:57 AM on June 2, 2005


posted by nobody at 9:09 AM PST on June 2 [!]

Heh! Thanks nobody.

posted by Shane at 10:58 AM on June 2, 2005


This is all Secret Life of Gravy's fault!
posted by graventy at 10:59 AM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is my suggestion to Matt. My suggestion to Matt is my opinion of these username choices.
posted by googly at 10:59 AM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is "why is Witty not Witty." My suggestion to Matt is "add a bot to the server to capture Witty's witless comments and make them Witty using regression analysis."
posted by gsb at 11:10 AM on June 2, 2005


Don't you sort of know what other people think of it now?

Not really. Looks like all I managed to do was give people an excuse to take shots at me. Eh... I'm an easy target and I understand that.

Looks like rain.

juiceCake - I get a nickle for every time someone makes that joke... just so you know.
posted by Witty at 11:10 AM on June 2, 2005


WITTY = "When in Troy, Touch Yourself"
posted by indiebass at 11:17 AM on June 2, 2005


I have noticed, however, inapprorpriate names, such as witty for example, when the person is not. posted by juiceCake at 9:22 AM PST on June 2

My opinion of these username choices is "why is Witty not Witty." My suggestion to Matt is "add a bot to the server to capture Witty's witless comments and make them Witty using regression analysis."
posted by gsb at 11:10 AM PST on June 2


Well, we got two people who think they are funny by making the OBVIOUS pun regarding users name that is overdone and completely not clever even in the least regard.

How many points does it register on the irony meter when someone failing tries to make a witty clever comment about how Witty isn't witty.
posted by dios at 11:18 AM on June 2, 2005


Who is Witty, then? Call that Matlock Magroot guy!
posted by Mid at 11:20 AM on June 2, 2005


indiebass - When In Texas, Torch Yourself? Why Is Texans The Yokels? (I'm from South Carolina originally, so I can say that, in an ironic, self-deprecating manner.)
posted by socratic at 11:26 AM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is THIS IS A HUGE DEAL. My suggestion to Matt is FREAK THE FUCK OUT.
posted by shmegegge at 11:31 AM on June 2, 2005


Haha... now that was funny. :)
posted by Witty at 11:47 AM on June 2, 2005


Well, we got two people who think they are funny by making the OBVIOUS pun regarding users name that is overdone and completely not clever even in the least regard.

Actually, we've got one person, dios, who doesn't realize that we realize this. An attempt at humour, at least in my case, was not the point. Irony, as you say, and all that you know. Applies to witty as well.

Besides. I have noticed it. What's wrong with stating a fact? Oh my, on preview, that's not the question to ask dios is it.

Personally, I didn't find the "I get a nickel everytime..." line funny either. But I'm sure witty knows this too.

Do you?

Getting sick of the obvious dios lines as well?

Guess what? People realize it's obvious. At least most do.
posted by juiceCake at 11:49 AM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these user names is they are occasionally amusing.

My suggestion to Matt is when referring to a small child named Fiona, her name should be prefaced by the word "wee".
posted by cali at 11:50 AM on June 2, 2005


btw, Witty, my misuse of your name isn't a (poor) ad hominem attack or anything. I'm not even sure what this thread is about any more, but I can't turn down the chance for fun with abbreviations.
posted by socratic at 11:51 AM on June 2, 2005


When they're good, I think they're really good. Very inventive, evocative. That justifies trouble in typing them. Besides, I'll just abbreviate in some way, taking the position that having a four or more word username implicitly gives permission for abbreviation.

"Personally, I didn't find the 'I get a nickel everytime...' line funny either."

I did. And it's not just witty that finds that joke/observation stale. I guess if Witty's new to you, you get a pass.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 11:52 AM on June 2, 2005


That's great Ethe, we all have different senses of humour. Glad you enjoyed the nickel line mate.

Witty isn't new to me.

I apologize profusely, once again, for stating an opinion that some find stale. I hope you can live your lives in peace afterward.
posted by juiceCake at 11:58 AM on June 2, 2005


Oh by the way, since nobody pointed it out, Shane wins. (Check your e-mail for your prize, dude!) If only Witty, or for that matter, dios, were so witty.
posted by soyjoy at 12:02 PM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these user name is haha, you said "anus."

My suggestion to Matt is if you keep stone fruit (such as peaches, nectarines) in a paper bag, it ripens more evenly. Yum!.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 12:18 PM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is irrelevant. My suggestion to Matt is free mathowie's baby.
posted by timeistight at 12:24 PM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is _____. My suggestion to Matt is _____.
How can a discussion be created when you have us completing your thoughts here? “a discussion in guessing 'your wit' in 'the blank' spot.'"

This thread seems more Meta "game", than "talk."
posted by thomcatspike at 12:27 PM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is Signs point to yes. My suggestion to Matt is Lyle Lovett's "Fiona" is a great song, but may be disturbing to small children.

Besides If I Had An Anus is classic.

Nah, it's just clever. If it were If I Only Had An Anus, it'd be classic.
posted by kirkaracha at 12:28 PM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is that they are not long enough.

My suggestion to Matt is to indelibly link the user to their first post by incorporating that entire post into their user name.
posted by birdsquared at 12:32 PM on June 2, 2005


Nah, it's just clever. If it were If I Only Had An Anus, it'd be classic.

Or what about "If Only I Had An Anus"?

(read out loud: If *Only* I Had An Anus/If Only *I* Had An Anus?)
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 12:40 PM on June 2, 2005


goodnewsfor theinsane: If YOU only had a brain, you'd understand why If I Only Had an Anus is brilliant. (WIZARD OF OZ, man!)

My opinion of these username choices is:
I'd pay Witty $5 for him to get a sock puppet account with the name "MyOpinionOfTheseUsernameChoices"

My suggestion to Matt is:
Visit MetaChat.org to see what's really going on.
posted by wendell at 12:50 PM on June 2, 2005


How can a discussion be created when you have us completing your thoughts here? “a discussion in guessing 'your wit' in 'the blank' spot.'"

Agreed. It wasn't a good choice of thread construction... I've paid the price for it. I was trying to steer the conversation in a way that would reveal what other people thought of these usernames without me having to drop my opinion in the post itself.

It appears that I'm in the minority (surprise surprise) and that's fine. But I think the apparent rise in popularity of these types of usernames is annoying and distracting. Having to abbreviate them or turn them into an acronym in order to preserve a comment's readabililty is disruptive... although less so than referring to the username in its entirety. I've had to reread many comments, many times, just to figure out what IIHAA is (for example). I wonder, "is this a common acronym I've never seen before... shouldn't I know this?" Other times, I assume it's one of those web-cronyms, like IANAL or something. Clever, funny, cute or whatever, I just think these particular types of handles go against the point of a username. I'm sorry for making a game out of it.
posted by Witty at 12:52 PM on June 2, 2005


Miguel?
posted by we heard you the first time, Seth at 12:55 PM on June 2, 2005


Also, usernames like 'goodnewsfortheinsane' aren't part of my concern. But 'good news for the insane' would be.
posted by Witty at 12:55 PM on June 2, 2005


so shorten them like i do--everything over 8-10 letters gets cropped. it's really not even a little deal, let alone a big deal.
posted by amberglow at 12:56 PM on June 2, 2005


That's great. I'm glad it's not a big deal. I didn't say or even suggest that it was. I just thought I would see what the collective thought, that's all. Just because there's a Meta thread about a particular topic, doesn't mean the poster thinks it's necessarily a crisis.
posted by Witty at 1:04 PM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is mine! You can't have it! My suggestion to Matt is give Witty a gold star for starting this wonderful thread... and then take it away again, just because.

Also, usernames like 'goodnewsfortheinsane' aren't part of my concern. But 'good news for the insane' would be.


Thanks for clearing that up -- we were all wondering!
posted by languagehat at 1:05 PM on June 2, 2005


It appears that I'm in the minority (surprise surprise) and that's fine.

Heh. I think I know what Witty's sock puppet account is going to be named.
posted by scody at 1:08 PM on June 2, 2005


why isn't this troll yesterday ?
posted by sgt.serenity at 1:16 PM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is irrelevant. My suggestion to Matt is per-thread RSS feeds.
posted by grouse at 1:18 PM on June 2, 2005


wendell and goodnews (abbreviated as per amberglow's cropping algorithm): what about "If I had ONLY an anus"?

Witty: Umm, can I ask why you would want to start a thread about a topic on which you have an opinion without "dropping" what your opinion is?
posted by birdsquared at 1:18 PM on June 2, 2005


I didn't want to drop it in the origianl post. I was certainly willing and prepared to "drop" it later on... once the discussion got rolling. But I botched it. What can ya do?
posted by Witty at 1:23 PM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is they're dumb. My suggestion to Matt is deal with it.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 1:26 PM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is filled with strawberry flavoured gellatin. My suggestion to Matt isn't.
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 1:39 PM on June 2, 2005


My opinion of these username choices is diagram this sentence. My suggestion to Matt is or you will fail this class, and be held back a year.
posted by WolfDaddy at 1:46 PM on June 2, 2005


This is my opinion:



Now, image him say "Stupid Thread HEE!". Yes. There you go.
posted by shepd at 1:56 PM on June 2, 2005


Now, imagine me saying "I SPELL VERY GOOD".
posted by shepd at 1:56 PM on June 2, 2005


(.)(.)
I'm glad Witty (finally) explained the issue. It makes some sense. Handles are not entirely trivial.
posted by If I Had An Anus at 2:03 PM on June 2, 2005


    opinion    |    is    \                    \my \of         \choices                \these \username
   suggestion    |    is    \                  \my  \to         \Matt
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 2:13 PM on June 2, 2005


If I: not entirely trivial, but pretty much mostly so.
posted by amberglow at 2:27 PM on June 2, 2005


Heh, of all the things I thought I'd get a MeTa callout on.

But really, while we're at it, I sometimes read comments instead of all the links, say irrelevant things in threads, enjoy political flamefests and am an unabashed quonsar and amberglow fangirl. These are important things that may be worth being upset over if you like "the old order." Names? Meh. Not as much.
posted by Hot Like Your 12V Wire at 4:11 PM on June 2, 2005


I'm with Witty. These people using phrases and catch phrases and clever turns of phrases as their usernames are very dangerous. mathowie, please put a stop to this practice immediately. What people seem to forget is that Judeo-Christian/Western civilization is built on the word-name. Our religious, cultural, and political literature is composed of names that do more than signify, they identify. Our celebration of the individual and human rights is surely, partially derived from the essential fact for each man his name is his own! The phrase-name has always been rightfully relegated to primitive cultures and toddlers. Sure, right now the practice is confined to Metafilter. But it'll spread. It'll spread far and wide. First to the other discussion boards, then to the Godless French and eventually to the hip-hop rappers. After that, it's just a matter of time. What happens when you find out your child's new playmate is named 'Bounce Baby Bounce!'? Think about that.
posted by nixerman at 5:17 PM on June 2, 2005


I blame myself.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:53 PM on June 2, 2005


Just as soon as I get pregnant, I get dibs on "Turbo Dog."
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 5:53 PM on June 2, 2005


We
Ingest
Tapes
Too
Y'know
posted by I EAT TAPES at 6:08 PM on June 2, 2005


Fill in the blanks sucks. Next time, give us a word bank!
posted by thatweirdguy2 at 6:16 PM on June 2, 2005


Ok

Pencils ready?

Stavros the Wonder _______
a. Bread
b. Wear
c. Of You

Pink Stainless_______
a. Steel
b. Than Zero
c. S. I. S. S. I. P. P. I.

Icon________
a. Live without you
b. Stipation
c. Jure Thee, Satan
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 7:03 PM on June 2, 2005


Sorry Gravy, but you left one off.

Stavros the Wonder _______
a. Bread
b. Wear
c. Of You
d. Bra
posted by taz at 10:39 PM on June 2, 2005


Huh. So rarely does this place stray from the essay question format. Thanks, Professor!
posted by catachresoid at 12:30 AM on June 3, 2005


e. Years
f. Woman
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 1:44 AM on June 3, 2005


g. where she could be-eee, my little runaway...
posted by taz at 2:02 AM on June 3, 2005


h. wonder, who..who wrote the book of love

I was going to add:

i. lies da castle of my fadda

but I figured that would be too obscure.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 4:03 PM on June 3, 2005


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