Facebook Lingo
by Andy Grimmer

If you’ve heard people talking about Facebook and are new to the social networking world, there are probably some things you’re wondering about. Facebook has a language all its own, and better understanding that jargon will help you to use it with less hassle. Take a look at our glossary of Facebook words and phrases before you jump back online.

Applications – Technically speaking, applications include not only the (annoying) invitations friends send you but also the valuable features such as photos. If you click the “Applications” tab on the lower left-hand toolbar, you can go to “Browse More Applications” where Facebook offers its “Featured by Facebook” list. Organized categorically, these applications include everything from business to sports.

Facebook Chat – Instead of taking the time to set up an AIM name and account, you can Instant Message with friends on Facebook. A tab in the bottom right corner will tell you who’s on and allow you to type almost real-time messages to friends. You can also choose to avoid Chat if you’re hard at work by clicking on “Chat,” “Options,” and “Go Offline.” When you have more time, just click on “Chat” and you’ll be connected again.

Facebook Mobile – Under “My Account” in the “Settings” tab you can select “Mobile.” The mobile option allows your phone to receive text messages from Facebook. You can choose what types of things you want to be notified about; everything from status updates to friend requests can send a text. You can also use your phone to “update your status, search for phone numbers, or upload photos and videos from your phone.” The service is free and only requires you to register online.

Facebook Stalker – [slang] A derogatory term referring to someone who spends a lot of time on Facebook, particularly on other people’s profiles. A Facebook Stalker knows everything you did and may dig into your profile to find out exactly what you’ve been doing.

Friended – [slang] A term describing the process of accepting or extending Friend Requests on Facebook. For instance: No one knows why Jack friended Hannah after she backed into his car, but I’ll bet he regrets it.

Gifts – Digital gifts that can be sent to friends on Facebook. These virtual presents include everything from a ninja to a pet to a roll of toilet paper. More for fun than anything else, these souvenirs appear on your profile (unless the sender wants it to remain private). Although a free gift is featured regularly, the majority cost $1.00 each. You can also accompany your gifts with a message.

Groups – You can join interest groups and create your own. Groups can be anything from serious causes to lighthearted clubs and silly inside jokes. If you create a group, you can make it open to everyone on Facebook or set criteria to restrict who can join. Your groups will appear at the bottom of the “Info” tab on your profile page. You can also go to the “Groups” tab on the lower left toolbar to see what groups your friends have been joining.

Marketplace – Facebook’s answer to the newspaper classifieds—and it’s free! Marketplace allows users to post everything from vehicles, housing, jobs, and items for sale. You can narrow your search results by choosing to view only your friends’ postings or search for results within a certain geographic proximity of your choosing.

News Feed – Located on your homepage. The News Feed provides updates on statuses, wall posts, profile information, and other data. It is constantly updating and can be filtered and categorized according to a user’s preferences.

Notes – Facebook Notes allows users to write whatever comes to mind in a blog-like format. Other people can read your Notes and post responses on the Note’s page (similar in appearance to the Facebook Wall). Users can tag people in a Note to ensure that it comes to their attention.

Poked – Much like a real poke, the Facebook poke is a mostly nonsensical digital gesture. When someone chooses to poke you, a message simply informs you that the action has been undertaken. Poking is generally just a simple way to let someone know that you’ve been thinking of them (without so many words). Please note, however, that “thinking of them” should not be understood as constituting any sort of romantic sentiment. That’s what real life and flowers are for.

Profile – The repository of each Facebook user’s personal information. Profiles include whatever someone writes about him- or herself along with photos, wall posts, and other stuff to keep friends updated.

Search – Located in the upper right corner, the Search bar allows users to find friends and groups on Facebook. Searches can be conducted strictly within Facebook’s own site or expanded to also search the Web. In the future, Searches may even sort through user content to find matches. For instance, you might enter a keyword and then find results from the photos, videos, notes, and status updates of friends.

Tagged – People are tagged not only in Photos, but Notes and Videos as well. When someone tags a Photo of you, the Photo will appear among your own Photos. Tagging is a great way to share albums from trips and events.

Thread – Similar to a blog, a thread develops around the topic of a message, wall post, note and so on. Threads vary in viewability based on the nature of the thread (a private message, for instance, can only be read by those included in the address line).

Unfriending – The highly controversial unfriending of people on Facebook is a tragic commentary on the ebb and flow of human friendship. Have you lost the special spark you once had for a Facebook friend? You could leave them to float in cyberspace forever. Or you could just pull the plug on your Facebook friendship once and for all. It should be noted that unfriending too many people on Facebook is a surefire way to earn you an unfavorable reputation.