mission

w≠rds between us is a curated directory of internet slang words. The internet has had a huge impact on language and how people express themselves. This site is both a tool to help people express themselves in digital text as well as to bring attention to what truncated language does to communication.

My hope is that this site can generate discussion, provide insight and help people to be better communicators over the internet and through text message.

odds and ends

Text messages have evolved a number of different formatting rules with which to evoke emotion. This is a brief overview of some of the more popular mechanics used.

* The asterisk—Often used to encase a word or phrase and signify that another level of meaning is present.
Example: And then she licked a *lollipop.*

> < Greater than less than—Used to describe something as better then another thing.
Example: Chocolate > Ice Cream.

ALL CAPS—These are often used to give weight or increase visual noise to a message, it is much like yelling. Example: CAPS IS AUTOPILOT FOR COOL.

colophon

This site was created as a fourth year thesis project at Emily Carr University of Art and Design with guidance from Haig Armen.

I would like to thank my parents and all of my peers for all of the input and help they have given me.

The site was primarily hand typed by Grey Vaisius using HTML and CSS. There are elements that were created using a jQuery plugin produced by David Dessandro called isotope.

The typeface used throughout the site is Georgia, created by Matthew Carter in 1993 for Microsoft. All of the italics are Times for a touch of elegance.