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W00tThe term w00t is a slang interjection used to express happiness or excitement, usually over the Internet. The expression is most popular on USENET posts http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.test/browse_thread/thread/e7309f06c3c613c2/336c0c06168f42bd?q=w00t+group:alt.test&_done=%2Fgroups%3Fq%3Dw00t+group:alt.test%26start%3D30%26scoring%3Dd%26num%3D10%26hl%3Den%26ie%3DUTF-8%26lr%3D%26as_drrb%3Dq%26as_qdr%3D%26as_mind%3D1%26as_minm%3D1%26as_miny%3D1981%26as_maxd%3D26%26as_maxm%3D1%26as_maxy%3D2005%26safe%3Doff%26&_doneTitle=Back+to+Search&&d#336c0c06168f42bd, multiplayer computer games (especially first person shooters), IRC chats, and instant messages, though use on the World Wide Web in the form of weblogs or in forums is by no means uncommon. The definite origin of the term w00t is unknown. One theory claims that usage of this term dates back to the mid-1990s, when it was probably derived from the alternative spellings of whoomp and whoot. These spellings are variously used in the phrases, "Whoomp, there it is," or "Whoot, there it is" from two songs in 1993 from rap groups Tag Team and 95 South, respectively. Another possibility is that it came from the vocalization made by the character in games of the Quake series when a jump is performed, usually done on an opposing player's body after being shot. However, as Quake was only first released in 1996, this etymology probably only furthered the popularity of the existing term. Others have theorized the term is an acronym for "We Owned the Other Team", or that "w00t" finds its origin in the sounds of a jubilant Daffy Duck. It has also been alleged that "w00t" is a contraction of the phrase "wonderous loot!" or "wow, loot!", used in Ultima Online and Everquest whenever a player found large quantities of treasure, although it is uncertain if this is really the case. w00t is also somewhat like the Scots word "hoots", which is used in a similar manner—an exclamation signifying surprise, disbelief, or kindred reaction. Another supposed origin is as an expression used by a cracker (see security cracking) who has just broken into a computer system, obtaining root access: "woot, I have root!" A September 06, 2004 article (free registration required) on AdAge.com indicated that the term comes "from gaming slang—the original use meant 'Wow! Loot' in Dungeons and Dragons play—and is now a common exclamation of excitement in Net culture." It is sometimes explained that w00t is an exclamation meaning excitment, but cannot be used sarcastically. Given the fact that the internet is a place where tone of voice cannot be used and careful wording is important (like the subtle difference between a ghost and a wraith), the distinction between "I'm going to the doctor today. Woo-hoo." and "I'm going to the doctor today. w00t!" is one that can be use advantageously. w00t itself was first seen in 1994. The expression rose in popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It has not reached general usage or understanding. w00t is pronounced to rhyme with "boot" or "shoot", and can also be written as "woot", "w00+", or "w007". ("w00ties" has also been suggested as an alternate spelling, but of course it has a different pronunciation.) It has also been argued that "w00t!" is the only proper spelling. The symbolic approximation of Latin letter forms makes w00t a prime example of leet. It may also sometimes be seen spelled as "wewt." The phrase is often used twice in succession, as in "w00t! w00t!". "w00t" or "w007" is often used as a taunt in First person shooter games, or multiplayer games, typically used with pwned, as in "3y3 pwned j00! w007! w007!" (I owned you, woot! woot!) although this is amongst small groups of people (See leet)! "woot" also materialized on irc (warez channels in particular) in the mid 90's - an onomatopoeic word of the sound a robot might make (Clicks, whirrs, and beeps were also popular). Upon entering a channel, or entering into a "conversation" with a bot, you could be greeted with woot: "Woot! Welcome nght_kllah back to #ultiwarez!" w00t can also be used as a derivative of the word "what" but only in certain cases. For example, if something strange were to happen in an online game, you could say "w00t the f00k?" Also, most people claim that the term "w00t!" simply isn't complete without the use of the exclamation mark, as it adds to the rejoiceful inherent meaning of the word. External links - Thinkgeek sells a t-shirt with the word and offers their take on the history of the expression.
- Woot.com is a discount retailer normally spinning off distressed wares, the sales commentary is normally good for a laugh
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