1. How the English Language evolves through the usage of online communication and gaming

2.  English language has evolved in its written and spoken form throughout the centuries.  The usage of English differs depending on the area where it’s used.  The internet and its widespread usage has led to the formation of new words and giving already-existing words new meanings.

3.  The internet makes it possible to instantly communicate with other people and find anything and anyone online.  Downside – people have shorter attention spans. ◦ Twitter ◦ Vine ◦ Mini-games  Making communication more compact leads to the creation of numerous abbreviations and acronyms.

4.  On one hand, with the internet also came a need for words to describe things that simply didn’t exist before. ◦ Noob ◦ Spamming ◦ Selfie  On the other hand, many already-existing words got whole new meanings based on their usage online and in multiplayer games. ◦ Avatar ◦ Buff ◦ Bump

5.  Spamming ◦ Verb – To send the same message indiscriminately to (large numbers of recipients) on the Internet.  Blog ◦ Noun - a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style.  Hacker ◦ Noun - a person who uses computers to gain unauthorized access to data.  Noob ◦ Noun - a person who is inexperienced or bad at a particular activity, especially computing or the use of the Internet.  Download/Upload ◦ Verb – to copy (data) from one computer system to another, typically over the Internet.  Woot/w00t ◦ Exclamation - used to express elation, enthusiasm, or triumph.  Unfriend ◦ Verb – to remove (someone) from a list of friends or contacts on a social networking website.

6.  Pwn ◦ Verb - The term implies domination or humiliation of a rival, used primarily in the Internet-based video game culture to taunt an opponent who has just been soundly defeated  Meh ◦ Exclamation - expressing a lack of interest or enthusiasm.  Emoji ◦ Noun - a small digital image or icon used to express an idea, emotion, etc., in electronic communication.  Selfie ◦ Noun - a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media.  Derp ◦ Exclamation - used as a substitute for speech regarded as meaningless or stupid, or to comment on a foolish or stupid action.  Google/Googling ◦ Verb - To search something on the internet using the website Google.

7.  Swag ◦ Old meaning - products given away free, typically for promotional purposes. ◦ New meaning – Style, Money, Fashion Sense  Avatar ◦ Old meaning - a manifestation of a deity or released soul in bodily form on earth; an incarnate divine teacher. ◦ New meaning - an icon or figure representing a particular person in computer games, Internet forums, etc.  Buff ◦ Old meaning - being in good physical shape with fine muscle tone. ◦ New meaning – To strenghten some in-game item or character, or apply a temporary positive status effect.  Cooldown ◦ Old meaning - the act or an instance of allowing physiological activity to return to normal gradually after strenuous exercise ◦ New meaning – The time that must pass between a player can use a certain skill/spell.

8.  Bot ◦ Old meaning - the larva of the botfly, which is an internal parasite of animals. ◦ New meaning – an autonomous program on a network (especially the Internet) that can interact with computer systems or users.  Bump ◦ Old meaning - a protuberance on a level surface. ◦ New meaning - to bring up somebody's post typically by posting the word "bump" on a message board.  Flaming ◦ Old meaning - burning fiercely and emitting flames. ◦ New meaning – To post negative and inflammatory messages, typically on message boards.  Troll ◦ Old meaning - a mythical, cave-dwelling being depicted in folklore as either a giant or a dwarf. ◦ New meaning – Someone who makes a deliberately offensive or provocative online post with the aim of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response from them.

9.  LOL – Laughing Out Loud  WTF – What The F*ck  OMG – Oh My God  GTFO – Get The F*ck Out  FML – F*ck My Life  FTW – For The Win  FTFY – Fixed That For You  GL HF – Good Luck, Have Fun  IMO – In My Opinion  TL;DR – Too Long, Didn’t Read

10. New Words  Freeware  Crapware  Combo  Tweet  Unlike  Youtube/Youtubing Old Words, New Meanings  Alpha/Beta  Bot  Handle  Lag  Bug  Hit  Browser  Console  Easter Egg Abbreviations and Acronyms  TFW  GIF  FOMO  TL;DR  Srsly  TGIF  M8  AI  RPG  FPS

11.  The internet is a vast place  Every corner has its own subculture complete with its own lingo, abbreviations, words and behavior.  And because the primary language used on the internet and in online gaming is English, new words and abbreviations are constantly created all the time, providing an unprecedented growth to the English language and changing it in many different ways.