This is discussion archived from a time before the current discussion method was installed.
Working Title: spelin iz for luzarsz: From YKTTW
The Bad Wolf: um wasn't leet speak developed to get around profanity filters ?
Alles In De Soep: pr*fanity filter? no. hax0rs filters? Yes. Some twenty years later, some kids thought it was fun to speak that way.
Ace Of Scarabs: It was also used to conceal what you wanted to say from people who couldn't read the type of symbol-cypher that was used. (_)/\/<|3r5+@/\/<|? the last word is "understand" in 1337.
Twilight: These days I've seen it used to get around filters (p0rn or pr0n instead of porn for instance), but I guess doubt that's the origin. Another one I've heard is people using ALT + ### characters in names on online games so it takes longer for people to type out the command to ban them.
Twilight: for the curious: The page notes that some distinct between 1337 5P33|< (leet speak) and txt spk (text speak). my understanding is:
- 1337 involves substituting numbers and other characters for letters. Note that this almost always takes longer to type out then normal speak
- txt spk involves using abbreviations and leaving out vowels (brb, ttyl, etc.). This is for the express purpose of typing faster then normal speak.
