# I finally figured out my username from 20 years ago **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 17, 2026, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758 "2026-02-17T19:46:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Thumper668](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thumper668/32/20803_2.png) [@Thumper668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thumper668)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/1 "2026-02-17T19:46:09Z")
So, a lifetime ago I used to hang here quite a bit, although I was mostly a lurker. This past year, my current partner and I decided to do a Death Pool for New Year, and I got to thinking about where I got the idea and it was of course the SDMB Game Room. For the life of me I couldn’t remember what my handle was back then - I had several that I used on various BBS’s and fora when I was a youngun. Apparently I was last seen in May of 2007, which was coincidentally about the same time that my marriage went in the shitter. Since then I had a kid graduate college and next month I’m finally done with child support. I reunited with my girlfriend from college, and I’m feeling all the aches and pains of heading into my ‘golden’ years. I won’t tip you off to my original username, because I was a different person then and some of that shit is kind of ick inducing to re-read. But I will offer you a hint: a certain long time Doper who hasn’t been seen since 2024 gave me a tour of the Leinenkugel brewery while I was on a business trip. It’s that cherished memory that enabled me to hunt down my old posts. It ought to be enough for you to figure out my alter ego if you are actually interested enough, which you probably shouldn’t be. I’m not even sure why I’m sharing this, other than I can’t think of anything more suited to MPSIMS. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/2 "2026-02-17T19:55:34Z")
Have you contacted the Mods about coordinating the two accounts? ---
**Author:** ![Thumper668](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thumper668/32/20803_2.png) [@Thumper668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thumper668)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/3 "2026-02-17T19:57:57Z")
I’m not sure I want to. But I will if I eventually decide it’s worth doing. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/4 "2026-02-17T20:11:30Z")
Strictly speaking it’s a requirement of the rules. Exceptions have been made. Beyond that is the province of the Mods. Which I am not. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/5 "2026-02-17T20:14:02Z")
@engineer_comp_geek normally handles the recovery of such things, so this should notify him. Otherwise welcome back, though that may sound a bit weird from a relative newcomer as a poster. Things have indeed changed a bit (rules updates, posters gained and lost) but it’s still a fine community. ---
**Author:** ![Thumper668](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thumper668/32/20803_2.png) [@Thumper668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thumper668)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/6 "2026-02-17T20:35:56Z")
I can see how it could be considered a Sock by a very strict reading of the rules, but since the email address associated with the old account hasn’t existed since 2008 it is no longer useable without intervention by the Mods. Nevertheless, if a Mod wants to PM me to resolve any issues I’d be happy to comply. All things considered, I’d rather just have the original account deactivated (if it hasn’t been already) rather than have it associated with this one. It is a relic of a person that I no longer am. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/7 "2026-02-17T20:39:02Z")
> [@Thumper668](#): > > I won’t tip you off to my original username, because I was a different person then and some of that shit is kind of ick inducing to re-read. Since I’m still associated with my old (and often embarrassing) posts from almost 26 years ago, I can assure you it won’t humiliate you overmuch to spill the beans. We’ve all changed, and mostly for the better. Welcome back. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/8 "2026-02-17T20:39:15Z")
Unfortunately, that can be said of a lot of posters that would like to take advantage of that situation. ---
**Author:** ![Thumper668](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thumper668/32/20803_2.png) [@Thumper668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thumper668)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/9 "2026-02-17T21:04:16Z")
Meh, the hell with it. Back then I was GWVet. A lot has changed since then. I’ll PM @engineer_comp_geek ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/10 "2026-02-17T21:05:03Z")
Kinda like I was warned many moons ago, what you put on the internet never really disappears. Yeah, stuck with it. Sorry to say. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/11 "2026-02-17T22:27:06Z")
Wow, I actually remember your handle. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/12 "2026-02-17T22:48:35Z")
> [@Thumper668](#): > > Meh, the hell with it. Back then I was GWVet. That’s who you are?! **I WILL HOUND YOU TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.** (Just kidding, welcome back!) ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/13 "2026-02-17T23:28:26Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Wow, I actually remember your handle. Me too! But I was too busy worrying about my own embarrassing legacy to remember his. Welcome back! ---
**Author:** ![Thumper668](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thumper668/32/20803_2.png) [@Thumper668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thumper668)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/14 "2026-02-17T23:43:56Z")
It’s not that it’s embarrassing per se. It’s just that the naivete of my late 30s is pretty cringe inducing to re-read now. That folks remember me is both flattering and frightening. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/15 "2026-02-18T00:19:42Z")
Hey, I was 23 years old when I started posting here. I’m never going to be able to run for office, let me put it that way. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/16 "2026-02-18T00:35:42Z")
> [@Thumper668](#): > > Meh, the hell with it. Back then I was GWVet. A lot has changed since then. Man, I was _sure_ you were Thumper667. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/17 "2026-02-18T01:09:26Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Man, I was _sure_ you were Thumper667 Me too. I sure miss Thumper667. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/18 "2026-02-18T17:42:11Z")
I don’t miss Thumper666, though. That guy was _evil_. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/19 "2026-02-18T17:45:04Z")
Can you believe we’re up to 668 Thumpers already? mmm ---
**Author:** ![Thumper668](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thumper668/32/20803_2.png) [@Thumper668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thumper668)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758/20 "2026-02-18T17:55:27Z")
Those guys must have been on the Bergall and the Hawkbill, respectively. Every submarine has a Thumper - on the Spadefish it just happened to be me. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-figured-out-my-username-from-20-years-ago/1027758.md?page=2)