Bump (internet)
Encyclopedia
To bump a thread on an Internet forum
is to post a reply to it purely in order to raise the thread's profile. This will typically return it to the top of the list of active threads. It has been suggested that "bump" is an acronym of "bring up my post", however this is almost certainly a backronym
and the usage is entirely consistent with the verb "bump" which means "to knock to a new position". It can also be used in personal message
s (PMs) or instant messages
(IMs) on the Web
, to return an older message to the top of the list.
s show as their first page a list of the 20–50 topics or "discussion threads" most recently posted to. Someone wishing to keep a thread on this first page—or bring an old thread back to it—will post a reply to it purely to do this. Posters who are open about this simply write the word "bump". Acceptable reasons range from wanting to remind others that the question with which the thread started is still unanswered to offering new information that relates to an old thread; doing it simply to raise a thread's profile is generally as unwelcome as spam.
On some messageboards, users can choose to sage (correctly pronounced /sæ-ɡe/ though often confused as seɪdʒ, akin to the homographic English word) a post if they wish to make a post, but not "bump" it. The word "sage" derives from the 2channel
terminology 下げる sageru, meaning "to lower".
Internet forum
An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. They differ from chat rooms in that messages are at least temporarily archived...
is to post a reply to it purely in order to raise the thread's profile. This will typically return it to the top of the list of active threads. It has been suggested that "bump" is an acronym of "bring up my post", however this is almost certainly a backronym
Backronym
A backronym or bacronym is a phrase constructed purposely, such that an acronym can be formed to a specific desired word. Backronyms may be invented with serious or humorous intent, or may be a type of false or folk etymology....
and the usage is entirely consistent with the verb "bump" which means "to knock to a new position". It can also be used in personal message
Personal message
A personal message or private message, often shortened to PM, is like an e-mail sent from one user to another user on an Internet forum, bulletin board system, social networking site , or chat room ....
s (PMs) or instant messages
Instant messaging
Instant Messaging is a form of real-time direct text-based chatting communication in push mode between two or more people using personal computers or other devices, along with shared clients. The user's text is conveyed over a network, such as the Internet...
(IMs) on the Web
World Wide Web
The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet...
, to return an older message to the top of the list.
Motivation
Many Internet forumInternet forum
An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. They differ from chat rooms in that messages are at least temporarily archived...
s show as their first page a list of the 20–50 topics or "discussion threads" most recently posted to. Someone wishing to keep a thread on this first page—or bring an old thread back to it—will post a reply to it purely to do this. Posters who are open about this simply write the word "bump". Acceptable reasons range from wanting to remind others that the question with which the thread started is still unanswered to offering new information that relates to an old thread; doing it simply to raise a thread's profile is generally as unwelcome as spam.
On some messageboards, users can choose to sage (correctly pronounced /sæ-ɡe/ though often confused as seɪdʒ, akin to the homographic English word) a post if they wish to make a post, but not "bump" it. The word "sage" derives from the 2channel
2channel
is a Japanese textboard. In 2007 there were 2.5 million posts made every day. Launched in 1999, it has gained significant influence in Japanese society, comparable to that of traditional mass media such as television, radio, and magazines. As of 2008, the site generates revenue upwards of ¥100...
terminology 下げる sageru, meaning "to lower".
Necrobumps
"Necroposting" (also called "necrobumping" or "gravedigging"), occurs when a forum thread that has been inactive for a long time, typically years, is bumped by a reader, usually in response to what he inadvertently believes to be an ongoing discussion, perhaps coming from a web search rather than from within the forum.Sticky threads
Many forums now have features allowing administrators to make a thread "sticky", meaning that the thread will remain at the top regardless of the time of the latest entry.In other languages
- Japanese: 上げ age—short for 上げる ageru, "to raise". Its direct opposite is 下げ sage, from 下げる sageru, meaning "to lower" (used in regards to "not bumping" an internet post). Used on Japanese forums and imageboards such as 2channel2channelis a Japanese textboard. In 2007 there were 2.5 million posts made every day. Launched in 1999, it has gained significant influence in Japanese society, comparable to that of traditional mass media such as television, radio, and magazines. As of 2008, the site generates revenue upwards of ¥100...
and Futaba ChannelFutaba Channel, or Futaba for short, is an internet forum in Japan. It is a popular Japanese imageboard dealing in otaku and underground culture.-Origin:Futaba Channel was set up on August 30, 2001, as a refuge for 2channel users when 2channel was in danger of shutting down...
. - Chinese: 顶 dǐng—literally means "knock" or "bump". Used on Chinese internet forums such as TianyaTianya ClubTianya Club is an Internet forum in China; currently it is the 12th most visited site in the People's Republic of China and 72nd overall. It was founded on 14 February 1999.It provides BBS, blog, microblog and photo album services....
and Mop. Sometimes the word 推, which literally means "push", is also used in Hong Kong based internet forums like the Hong Kong Golden Forum.