What does 1337 mean?
- Definition — '1337' is a form of internet slang known as leetspeak, where letters are replaced with numbers or symbols.
- Usage — It is often used to describe someone who is extremely skilled in gaming or computing.
- Origin — The term '1337' comes from the word 'elite', which was used to describe highly skilled users on Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) in the 1980s.
- Transformation — 'Elite' was shortened to 'leet' and then transformed into '1337' using numbers that resemble letters (1 for L, 3 for E, and 7 for T).
- Spread — Leetspeak spread with the rise of the internet and online gaming in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
From dictionary.com
"1337 itself comes from the word elite. Users with elite status on BBSs had the widest access to the system and usually had to be the best hackers in order to achieve that level of access—hence 1337 as slang for 'skilled,' in contrast to n00b, or newbie."
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History of 1337
- 1980s — Leetspeak originated in the 1980s on Bulletin Board Systems (BBS).
- Elite Status — Users with 'elite' status on BBSs had the most access and were often the best hackers.
- Evolution — 'Elite' was shortened to 'leet' and then transformed into '1337' using numbers.
- Internet Growth — The spread of the internet in the late 1980s and early 1990s helped popularize leetspeak.
- Gaming Influence — Online multiplayer games like Doom and Quake in the 1990s further spread the use of 1337.
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"1337 really started spreading during the late 1980s and early 1990s, coinciding with the rise of the internet and popular computing."
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Leetspeak Characteristics
- Character Substitution — Leetspeak involves replacing letters with numbers or symbols that resemble them.
- Misspellings — Intentional misspellings and visual disorientation are common features.
- Examples — 'pwn' (own), 'n00b' (newbie), 'h4x0r' (hacker).
- Variability — The choice of symbols is not fixed and can vary widely.
- Alphabet — Leetspeak has its own alphabet where letters are replaced by similar-looking numbers or symbols.
"Leet (or '1337'), also known as eleet or leetspeak, is a system of modified spellings used primarily on the Internet. It often uses character replacements in ways that play on the similarity of their glyphs via reflection or other resemblance."
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Cultural Impact
- Global Spread — Leetspeak has spread globally and is used in various online communities.
- Gaming Culture — It is heavily associated with gaming culture and online multiplayer games.
- Literature — Leetspeak appears in webcomics like Megatokyo and Homestuck.
- Music — Artists like Deadmau5 use leetspeak in their names.
- Media — Leetspeak is referenced in movies, TV shows, and video games.
From en.wikipedia.org
"Leet symbols, especially the number 1337, are Internet memes that have spilled over into some culture. Signs that show the numbers '1337' are popular motifs for pictures and are shared widely across the Internet."
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