Complaint No Tolerance for Use of "Noob" on PF

[Helios]

When it occurs, any fellow should be advised not to refer to new members as "noobs" or "noobies" because of the offense that could be taken. Noob is ( or seems like ) a portmanteau of "new boob" and is derogatory and insulting enough to make a new member feel he is being attacked or demeaned. I don't think PF should tolerate this.

 

[axmls]

Is this a joke? Noob is an alternate spelling of newb, as in, a new person. It's not exactly a compliment, but I'd hardly consider it derogatory.

 

[Mondayman]

In the year or so I've been following this site I have never seen anyone referred to as a "noob".

 

[Helios]

It is slang and it sounds demeaning. I would be offended.

 

[phinds]

It is slang and it sounds demeaning. I would be offended.

Fair enough. Link to a thread where that term is used.

 

[Haborix]

Haha, if you search "noob" a lot of the results are self-referential.

 

[Helios]

In fact, you used it, Phinds
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/expanding-universe-and-age-of-light.852059/
It sounds similar words to offensive words, dweeb, boob, goob, heb, etc

Haha, if you search "noob" a lot of the results are self-referential.

and self-deprecating, what's so funny?

 

[axmls]

I'd have to pull out my calculator to determine how far of a stretch you need to make to interpret phinds's comment as offensive.

 

[Mark44]

When it occurs, any fellow should be advised not to refer to new members as "noobs" or "noobies" because of the offense that could be taken. Noob is ( or seems like ) a portmanteau of "new boob" and is derogatory and insulting enough to make a new member feel he is being attacked or demeaned. I don't think PF should tolerate this.

You are mistaken. As already mentioned, "noob" (or "newb") is just short for "newbie." It is NOT a portmanteau word made up of "new" and "boob."

I don't have an exact count, but I'd be willing to bet that 98% of the usage on this site is new members describing themselves.

We already have a rule about hostile language that is vigorously enforced. I see no reason for us to outlaw the use of "noob" just on its own.

Langauge and Attitude:
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[davenn]

It is slang and it sounds demeaning. I would be offended.

well a high % if the time it is the actual OP that is referring to themselves as a noob and NOT the responders
and I would bet that the majority of the times that the responder has said such, it's only because the OP as already referred himself to that anyway

Dave

 

[Helios]

OK. I stand corrected. Let's rest the issue. People call themselves "nerds" but it's not cool to call others that. Slang that ends with "B" is usually not good. I'm old and not privy to the new generation lingo.

 

[axmls]

Slang that ends with "B" is usually not good.

This sounds remarkably arbitrary.

 

[phinds]

In fact, you used it, Phinds

I most certainly did NOT. Pay attention to what is said. I said "noobie", which is just short for newcomer and could hardly be misconstrued to have any connotation of "boob". Every forum I've ever been on used the term for newcomer, that and "newbie"

 

[russ_watters]

OK. I stand corrected. Let's rest the issue. People call themselves "nerds" but it's not cool to call others that.

I had a girlfriend who referred to me as "my nerd". I even had a t-shirt. Past high school, it ceases to be an insult because you start to realize that even as an intended insult it is really an expression of envy.

 

[S.G. Janssens]

Why don't we use "boon" instead?

 

[phinds]

Why don't we use "boon" instead?

Is this another joke? If so, I don't get it. If you're serious, then my response is ... uh, because it doesn't mean anything and no one would have any idea what is intended?

 

[ZapperZ]

I reserve the right to call phinds a "new boob" whenever I want to! Those silicon implants look very good!

Zz.

 

[phinds]

I reserve the right to call phinds a "new boob" whenever I want to! Those silicon implants look very good!

Zz.

?

 

[ZapperZ]

Hum... did my attempt at humor completely fall flat?

Zz.

 

[S.G. Janssens]

Is this another joke? If so, I don't get it. If you're serious, then my response is ... uh, because it doesn't mean anything and no one would have any idea what is intended?

It's the reverse of "noob", see http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/boon

 

[phinds]

Hum... did my attempt at humor completely fall flat?

Zz.

Well, it went straight past me. I have no idea what you were talking about. What am I missing? I mean, I understand a correlation between silicon implants and the word boob for sure, but I don't get how it has the slightest reference to me.

 

[phinds]

It's the reverse of "noob", see http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/boon

Yes, I could see that in the first place. So, it was an attempt at humor. It fell flat.

 

[berkeman]

Let's rest the issue.

Done.