Netiquette
Meaning
Netiquette refers to the established rules of polite, respectful, and ethical behavior when communicating or interacting on the internet.
Origin
As the internet began to connect people globally in the early 1990s, users quickly realized that the rules of face-to-face interaction didn't always translate online. Without visual cues or tone of voice, misunderstandings were rampant. From this nascent digital wild west, a new set of unwritten rules emerged, blending "internet" with "etiquette" to form "netiquette"—a term coined to guide courteous behavior in emails, forums, and chat rooms, aiming to bring order to the chaotic, exciting new frontier of cyberspace.
Examples
- Always remember to practice good netiquette when posting in online forums, like avoiding all-caps which can seem like shouting.
- Before sending that email, check your tone to ensure you're adhering to proper netiquette and not coming across as rude.