21 Words for ‘Meet’ Online
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I live pretty close to the North Pole…well at least it feels like that in winter 
.
Therefore, it’s not really a surprise to me, when I look out my window, that the Eskimos have 21 different words, that all mean “snow” [actually this turns out to be a myth, but you get the idea].
In my off line life I often find myself referring to people that I only know from various online means, as friends or at least people that I “know.” This got me thinking that our definition of the word “meet” or “met” needs to be updated.
We need to do a little Eskimo brainstorming and come up with some new variations to cover the subtleties or different flavors of the experience of making a connection with another person.
Personally I can tell don’t really have any problem saying that I have “met” someone once I’ve had any type of synchronous communication with them.
IM, Skype = met
Email = not so much, unless it is consistent and over an extended period.
New word variations needed:
- Commented on someone’s blog
- Exchanged emails
- Exchanged forum posts
- Had a flame war with someone
- Chatted via IM
- Sent or received money via PayPal
- talked on Skype
- Talked on land line
- Talked in the flesh
- Rubbed noses
At what point do you consider that you’ve “met” someone?
Are their any other new words that we need?
Any word suggestions?…put the number and your proposed new word.
Here’s my attempts…I’m sure you can do much better:
- com-met
- e-met
- for-met
- fla-met
- imet
- pimped
- skyped
- voiced
- caféd
- I’ll have to find an Eskimo to ask for this one.
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Comments ( 4 )
Alli added these pithy words on Dec 13 06 at 1:26 pmI have com-met, e-met, for-met, and pimped quite a few people recently. But I do feel an awkwardness when I start to talk about someone I “met” online. I want to share their story but am afraid that the point is lost or worse devalued because it is someone I com-met or for-met. However, maybe, because the world is shrinking due to technology, it will become the norm and accepted in the social mores of today’s society.
Jon added these pithy words on Dec 15 06 at 11:03 pmI agree, people often devalue experiences when it is based on the online version of “met” but my experience is that when I have transitioned a relationship from online to off line, the met has definitely already taken place and been established online.
In a way it’s often a more pure “meeting” online, since none of the physical prejudices come into play. A lot of time in real life meetings how a person looks contributes a lot to how we perceive someone.
Nneka added these pithy words on Dec 19 06 at 8:12 pmI was thinking about that the other day. I often say to people, “I know this guy who…” in reference to someone online. Funny thing is that most of the time I have not had any direct interaction with them. Not even a comment. However, I feel when I read people’s thoughts everyday, I get some sense of who they are. It’s wierd.
I would say that we’ve “met” from the RD boards and from your site. Even though, we don’t really talk much. I feel like I know a good part of your story after interacting for 3 years.
Sandy Renshaw added these pithy words on Jan 11 07 at 12:31 amHi Jon,
Great post! My blogging experience has been very rewarding. After reading and conversing with people online, when we meet in person it feels like we are old friends - and we are.
Time also seems to speed up in the online world (for me). I’ve known people less than a year who are now close friends and some whom I have not yet met in person.
There’s a great blogging community in Iowa, and we keep connected.
I’m thrilled to be a blogger. New media offers so many possibilities for small business. People just need to try it.
Sandy