Are you down with the Twitter lingo?

The BBC news homepage today brought us the gripping news that Miss Universe contestant Vasuki Sunkavalli was recently charged with the offence of ‘twagiarism’.

Sunkavalli (aka Miss Universe) was found guilty of tweeting a series of tweets that resembled very closely the Wall Street Journal columnist ‘Sadanand Dhume’s political comments. Sunkavalli has been charged with the so called twagiarism because she seems to have attempted to pass the commentary off, as if it were her own.

Twagiarism

We might laugh at this amusing word combination of Twitter and plagiarism, but it’s certainly not the first word to have had "tw-" placed on to its bonnet.

But why is it necessary? To create a Twitter language that has its own meaning..... or to simply make us laugh?

Sadanand Dhume, says it's useful to make the distinction.

"Twagiarism certainly sounds less serious than plagiarism, as it should," he says. "It's a reminder that the Twitterverse is much smaller than the universe and that we should keep a sense of humour about it."

There is certainly some sense in Dhumes response and so we thought we’d give you a Twictionary of other Twitter words that will help you describe twitter musings without coming across too severe…

• Tweeple: users of Twitter, or a user's followers (also "tweeps")
• Tweetup: a real world gathering of Twitter users (pre-Twitter term "meatspace") - these are sometimes done with location emphasis too - eg: in Tunbridge Wells they call their Tweetups a 'Twuttle'!
• Twisticuffs: a verbal argument conducted via tweets
• Twitterrhoea: overuse of social media
• Tweet cred: social standing on Twitter
• Twelete: removing a previously-published tweet
• Twirting: philandering in 140 characters or fewer
• Tweme: a popular idea (meme) on Twitter
• Twittiquette: the social norms of micro-blogging
• Twebinar: a "web seminar" using Twitter
• Twitterati: the stars and influencers on Twitter

Which one is your favourite? Are these words ridiculous or are they necessary in order to refer activity in the context of Twitter?  Share your Twords.

And...for more social media marketing tips and advice – why not subscribe to our blog .

Enjoy the post… Vikki

Vikki Mills is Social Media and Marketing Executive at  Carvill Creative – the online visibility experts. A digital marketing and design agency based in Maidenhead, Berkshire.  The agency covers all aspects of online visibility – covering social media marketing and social media training, user focused website planning and conversion focused website design.

Stay connected - Like our Facebook Page or follow us on Twitter @getsocial_media.