• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 07:08
CET 12:08
KST 20:08
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
ByuL: The Forgotten Master of ZvT30Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book19Clem wins HomeStory Cup 289HomeStory Cup 28 - Info & Preview13Rongyi Cup S3 - Preview & Info8
Community News
2026 KongFu Cup Announcement3BGE Stara Zagora 2026 cancelled12Blizzard Classic Cup - Tastosis announced as captains15Weekly Cups (March 2-8): ByuN overcomes PvT block4GSL CK - New online series18
StarCraft 2
General
BGE Stara Zagora 2026 cancelled Blizzard Classic Cup - Tastosis announced as captains BGE Stara Zagora 2026 announced ByuL: The Forgotten Master of ZvT Terran AddOns placement
Tourneys
RSL Season 4 announced for March-April PIG STY FESTIVAL 7.0! (19 Feb - 1 Mar) Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament 2026 KongFu Cup Announcement [GSL CK] Team Maru vs. Team herO
Strategy
Custom Maps
Publishing has been re-enabled! [Feb 24th 2026] Map Editor closed ?
External Content
The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 516 Specter of Death Mutation # 515 Together Forever Mutation # 514 Ulnar New Year
Brood War
General
BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ BSL 22 Map Contest — Submissions OPEN to March 10 ASL21 General Discussion Are you ready for ASL 21? Hype VIDEO Gypsy to Korea
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL22] Open Qualifiers & Ladder Tours IPSL Spring 2026 is here! ASL Season 21 Qualifiers March 7-8
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Soma's 9 hatch build from ASL Game 2 Fighting Spirit mining rates Zealot bombing is no longer popular?
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread PC Games Sales Thread No Man's Sky (PS4 and PC)
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion The Story of Wings Gaming
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Five o'clock TL Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas Vanilla Mini Mafia TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Mexico's Drug War Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine NASA and the Private Sector
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Movie Discussion! [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books
Sports
Formula 1 Discussion 2024 - 2026 Football Thread General nutrition recommendations Cricket [SPORT] TL MMA Pick'em Pool 2013
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Laptop capable of using Photoshop Lightroom?
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Funny Nicknames
LUCKY_NOOB
Money Laundering In Video Ga…
TrAiDoS
Iranian anarchists: organize…
XenOsky
FS++
Kraekkling
Shocked by a laser…
Spydermine0240
Unintentional protectionism…
Uldridge
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 2216 users

[R] TL lingo?

Forum Index > TL Community
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
Archas
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States6531 Posts
July 28 2010 14:35 GMT
#1
Hello, all. This is my first post on TeamLiquid, after about 3 weeks of lurking to check out the general guidelines of posting (the Automated Ban List in particular showed me what NOT to do... ugh). After reading the Ten Commandments and the other major stickies on forum etiquette, I feel that I'm ready to actively participate in the TL community. I'm looking forward to chatting with you guys! =)

However, I'm still confused at some of the terminology used on the forums, and I'm not quite sure where to check for their definitions. Terms like "smurf", "postcount++", and "BM" leave me, frankly, confused, and my efforts to locate some sort of database have gone splat. So, for the more knowledgeable members of TL, I ask you: Is there a topic somewhere that defines such phrases, or do I sorta have to pick them up as I go?

Thanks in advance for the help! I hope this post can start off my TL career on a good note. =D

*P.S. If this thread is in the wrong forum, mods, then I apologize. Just let me know, and I'll correct any posting mistakes in the future!
The room is ripe with the stench of bitches!
Empyrean
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
17051 Posts
July 28 2010 14:39 GMT
#2
A smurf is a general gaming term that applies to anyone playing under a different name than one he is usually associated with. I've never seen "postcount++", but it probably refers to people who spam useless posts in order to increase their postcount (because for some reason they associate post count with prestige). They'll likely be banned sooner or later. BM refers to bad manners.

There's no real forum terminology page; I don't actually think there's much TL-specific lingo. If there is, you'll probably pick up on it pretty fast anyway.

Enjoy your stay!
Moderator
motbob
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States12546 Posts
July 28 2010 14:41 GMT
#3
Hmm, normally you would pick them up as you go. However, maybe we can help.

Smurf (verb) -- to post on an account that is not your main account. Usually done by people whose main accounts are banned.

Postcount++ -- I don't really know what this means. I assume it's to describe someone posting just for the sake of increasing their postcount (see: thedeadhaji, konadora)

BM -- bad manner; rudeness.
ModeratorGood content always wins.
Archas
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States6531 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-07-28 14:42:20
July 28 2010 14:41 GMT
#4
Ah, I see. Thanks a bunch, Empyrean and Motbob!

The term "postcount++" is used quite a bit on the Smogon forums (a Pokemon site, if you didn't know), and even though I didn't know what it meant, I just used the term they did. I suppose the one used on TL is "+1" or something similar.

I appreciate the quick replies! =)
The room is ripe with the stench of bitches!
Empyrean
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
17051 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-07-28 14:46:36
July 28 2010 14:44 GMT
#5
On July 28 2010 23:41 Aeres wrote:
Ah, I see. Thanks a bunch, Empyrean and Motbob!

The term "postcount++" is used quite a bit on the Smogon forums (a Pokemon site, if you didn't know), and even though I didn't know what it meant, I just used the term they did. I suppose the one used on TL is "+1" or something similar.

I appreciate the quick replies! =)


Haha, I have an account on smogon from 2006 with fewer than 100 posts. >_>

EDIT: Actually I have fewer than 150 posts. Guess I've been posting more than I thought.
Moderator
Takkara
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States2503 Posts
July 28 2010 14:46 GMT
#6
Yeah BM and GM are bad manners and good manners. Essentially how well you get along with others. Saying "gl hf" at the start of games and "gg" afterwards or some variant of those is generally considered good mannered or GM. Flaming people, neglecting to say gg after a game, or just overall being ill-tempered is considered BM. People will generally generalize those two terms to mean things in real life as well by just slating good personality/people traits to GM and unfavorable ones to BM.

Some other terms you might want to be acquainted with as you start to play the game and particularly the multiplayer are cheese, all-in, and metagame. They're overused and abused frequently on these boards and there's almost no faster way to run afoul of the community or mods than misusing them. You can easily derail a great post/thread with some misused buzz words. Here's the site mods/admins explaining the defintions:

Cheese/All-In: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=123613
Meta-game: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=119810

Cheers and welcome!
Gee gee gee gee baby baby baby
Takkara
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States2503 Posts
July 28 2010 14:48 GMT
#7
On July 28 2010 23:41 Aeres wrote:
Ah, I see. Thanks a bunch, Empyrean and Motbob!

The term "postcount++" is used quite a bit on the Smogon forums (a Pokemon site, if you didn't know), and even though I didn't know what it meant, I just used the term they did. I suppose the one used on TL is "+1" or something similar.

I appreciate the quick replies! =)


+1 is different. +1 is a nod to sites that allow you to upvote good answers and downvote bad answers. In this way, +1 is used to denote that the person agrees with the person they quoted and wants to loan their voice to them.

It's really looked down on in this community and in some others as well. Generally here if you agree with someone it's ok to say that but you have to use big boy words and contribute to the actual thread. That way things don't devolve into a bunch of +1'ing and "/signed" and stuff like that.
Gee gee gee gee baby baby baby
Archas
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States6531 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-07-28 14:51:37
July 28 2010 14:49 GMT
#8
Thanks, Takkara! I actually already know those terms (before learning about TL, I watched a lot of stuff from Husky, HD, and Day[9], and Smogon forums are *all* about the metagame), so I'm cool there.

Thanks for the response, though! It's nice to know how many people are willing to help out a newbie like me. *warm fuzzy feeling*

EDIT: Oh, so I was wrong about the "+1" thing. The way it was used, though, it seemed like it was the same context as the one I envisioned it to mean. At least that's cleared up. =)
The room is ripe with the stench of bitches!
GreEny K
Profile Joined February 2008
Germany7312 Posts
July 28 2010 14:55 GMT
#9
Welcome to TL!!! Enjoy your stay.
Why would you ever choose failure, when success is an option.
IntoTheWow
Profile Blog Joined May 2004
is awesome32277 Posts
July 28 2010 16:03 GMT
#10
Welcome to TL! : ]
Moderator<:3-/-<
Pokebunny
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States10654 Posts
July 28 2010 16:19 GMT
#11
Pretty sure the one he's thinking of is when people quote a message and write "+1" under it, which implies that they are of the same opinion.
Semipro Terran player | Pokebunny#1710 | twitter.com/Pokebunny | twitch.tv/Pokebunny | facebook.com/PokebunnySC
LaLuSh
Profile Blog Joined April 2003
Sweden2358 Posts
July 28 2010 16:21 GMT
#12
check this thread out for some TL history:

http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=119460
3FFA
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
United States3931 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-07-28 16:57:50
July 28 2010 16:57 GMT
#13
edit: But welcome to TeamLiquid! Enjoy your stay here

Check this thread for definitions like natural, BO(not Body Odor), etc.
Definitions guide for beginners.
This thread is very good if you are looking for advice on how to improve. Can be applied to both BW and SC2. It was written very recently too.
[G] How to improve.
"As long as it comes from a pure place and from a honest place, you know, you can write whatever you want."
Jathin
Profile Blog Joined February 2005
United States3505 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-07-28 17:42:46
July 28 2010 17:42 GMT
#14
--- Nuked ---
Aesop
Profile Joined October 2007
Hungary11305 Posts
July 28 2010 17:47 GMT
#15
Many game-related lingo words are present at Liquipedia, however not forum slang.

Starcraft2: http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/Definitions
Starcraft: http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/Definitions
ModeratorNon veritas sed auctoritas facit legem. | Liquipedia: Don't ask me, I'm retired.
FabledIntegral
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
United States9232 Posts
July 28 2010 17:48 GMT
#16
Found out literally a month ago that TL;dr meant "too long, didn't read" meaning aka "here's a summarized version."

Been wondering that for around 3 years now. I just assumed TL meant "Team Liquid" and had no idea dr meant.

I'm assuming (T/N) in translations means "Translator's Note," but I'm still not positive!
LarJarsE
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
United States1378 Posts
July 28 2010 18:13 GMT
#17
Yeah.. but if you type TL;dr, you probably have nothing good to say anyways.. And you probably shouldn't reply on a topic after you decided you are too lazy to read the text. so TL;dr is essentially for + Show Spoiler +
assholes
.

you gotta skate means you gotta be awesome.
since 98'
FabledIntegral
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
United States9232 Posts
July 28 2010 18:20 GMT
#18
On July 29 2010 03:13 larjarse wrote:
Yeah.. but if you type TL;dr, you probably have nothing good to say anyways.. And you probably shouldn't reply on a topic after you decided you are too lazy to read the text. so TL;dr is essentially for + Show Spoiler +
assholes
.

you gotta skate means you gotta be awesome.


Well I've seen WALLS of text that are like a mini novel, and the TL;dr part was still like 3-4 paragraphs long :-/.
Empyrean
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
17051 Posts
July 28 2010 18:30 GMT
#19
On July 29 2010 03:20 FabledIntegral wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 29 2010 03:13 larjarse wrote:
Yeah.. but if you type TL;dr, you probably have nothing good to say anyways.. And you probably shouldn't reply on a topic after you decided you are too lazy to read the text. so TL;dr is essentially for + Show Spoiler +
assholes
.

you gotta skate means you gotta be awesome.


Well I've seen WALLS of text that are like a mini novel, and the TL;dr part was still like 3-4 paragraphs long :-/.


He's talking about other posters who don't read the thread, but for some reason feel compelled to post tl;dr anyway.
Moderator
MutaDoom
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
Canada1163 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-07-28 19:01:53
July 28 2010 18:55 GMT
#20
I have to add, do not proclaim anyone new as a bonjwa. It's just not a good idea. Ever. It's a real quick way to derail threads and piss off mods everyone.

The Bonjwa Story is here.
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
RSL Revival
10:00
Season 4: Group D
ByuN vs SHIN
Maru vs Krystianer
Tasteless1094
IndyStarCraft 213
Rex108
LiquipediaDiscussion
Sparkling Tuna Cup
10:00
Weekly #123
Shameless vs YoungYakovLIVE!
CranKy Ducklings63
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Tasteless 1094
IndyStarCraft 213
Rex 108
StarCraft: Brood War
Sea 46920
Calm 14047
Horang2 2356
GuemChi 1826
Jaedong 859
BeSt 857
actioN 474
Soma 178
Last 173
EffOrt 160
[ Show more ]
Mini 154
Rush 126
Dewaltoss 98
Mind 95
ToSsGirL 84
Hm[arnc] 68
Backho 59
ZerO 56
sorry 47
JulyZerg 38
NaDa 30
Barracks 30
IntoTheRainbow 29
HiyA 26
GoRush 20
ivOry 16
SilentControl 11
ajuk12(nOOB) 7
Sea.KH 4
Dota 2
Gorgc2823
XaKoH 581
XcaliburYe124
League of Legends
JimRising 464
Counter-Strike
zeus354
byalli71
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King107
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor277
MindelVK7
Other Games
B2W.Neo735
Fuzer 155
ZerO(Twitch)15
Organizations
Dota 2
PGL Dota 2 - Main Stream18031
Other Games
gamesdonequick800
ComeBackTV 281
StarCraft: Brood War
lovetv 21
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 14 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• 3DClanTV 74
• LUISG 57
• CranKy Ducklings SOOP4
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• C_a_k_e 1598
Upcoming Events
WardiTV Team League
52m
Patches Events
5h 52m
BSL
8h 52m
GSL
20h 52m
Wardi Open
1d
Monday Night Weeklies
1d 5h
WardiTV Team League
2 days
PiGosaur Cup
2 days
Kung Fu Cup
2 days
OSC
3 days
[ Show More ]
The PondCast
3 days
KCM Race Survival
3 days
WardiTV Team League
4 days
Replay Cast
4 days
KCM Race Survival
4 days
WardiTV Team League
5 days
Korean StarCraft League
5 days
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
6 days
BSL
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-03-13
WardiTV Winter 2026
Underdog Cup #3

Ongoing

KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
Jeongseon Sooper Cup
BSL Season 22
RSL Revival: Season 4
Nations Cup 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals
ESL Pro League S23 Stage 1&2
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual

Upcoming

CSL Elite League 2026
ASL Season 21
Acropolis #4 - TS6
2026 Changsha Offline CUP
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
CSLAN 4
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
NationLESS Cup
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
CCT Season 3 Global Finals
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.