lurking

messaging, jargon The activity of one of the "silent

majority" in a electronic forum such as Usenet; posting

occasionally or not at all but reading the group's postings

regularly. This term is not pejorative and indeed is casually

used reflexively: "Oh, I'm just lurking". Often used in "the

lurkers", the hypothetical audience for the group's

flamage-emitting regulars.

Lurking and reading the FAQ are recommended netiquette for

beginners who need to learn the history and practises of the

group before posting.

(1997-06-14)