# Signing your member name at the end of your post when it's already there at the top **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 14, 2004, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-your-member-name-at-the-end-of-your-post-when-its-already-there-at-the-top/245089 "2004-05-14T08:28:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-your-member-name-at-the-end-of-your-post-when-its-already-there-at-the-top/245089/61 "2004-05-17T19:28:21Z")
> [@kabbes](#): > > Always give the audience a big bang at the end to tell them when to clap. > > Why do I do it? A bunch of reasons, I suppose. When I started it was the practice at my firm to initial anything you’d written, so there was a certain amount of habit there. And it just seemed inappropriate to write this big long post without signing it. O.K., except that you _don’t_ sign your member name at the end of your posts. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-your-member-name-at-the-end-of-your-post-when-its-already-there-at-the-top/245089/62 "2004-05-18T15:36:23Z")
You need the sig at the end because even though the user name is at the top of the post and is always the same, you’re never sure which personality of the user is currently in control and communicating. Peace, Legion ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-your-member-name-at-the-end-of-your-post-when-its-already-there-at-the-top/245089/63 "2004-05-18T19:39:14Z")
Originally posted by **moriah** > [@](#): > > _You need the sig at the end because even though the user name is at the top of the post and is always the same, you’re never sure which personality of the user is currently in control and communicating._ This is by far the most logical explanation I’ve heard. Or did I? What? regards, Aldebaran. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-your-member-name-at-the-end-of-your-post-when-its-already-there-at-the-top/245089/64 "2004-05-18T20:58:20Z")
Just to reiterate one more time, we’re talking about people who sign the _exact_ same user name, in the exact same form as it appears at the top of the post, and nothing else, at the end of _every_ post. If that’s not what you’re doing, this thread isn’t about you. For example, some people sign their real name, which is different than their member name. I can understand _that_. ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-your-member-name-at-the-end-of-your-post-when-its-already-there-at-the-top/245089/65 "2004-05-18T21:10:56Z")
Originally posted by **moriah** > [@](#): > > \*Just to reiterate one more time, we’re talking about people who sign the exact same user name, in the exact same form as it appears at the top of the post, and nothing else, at the end of every post. If that’s not what you’re doing, this thread isn’t about you. For example, some people sign their real name, which is different than their member name. I can understand \*that. This is by far the most logical explanation I’ve heard. Or did I? What? salaam, Brutus ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-your-member-name-at-the-end-of-your-post-when-its-already-there-at-the-top/245089/66 "2004-05-18T21:33:43Z")
This is by gum the most brutal salami I did. Or heard I? Explanation? what, Logica ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-your-member-name-at-the-end-of-your-post-when-its-already-there-at-the-top/245089/67 "2004-05-18T21:34:23Z")
When I write a letter, which is what message board posts are to me, I sign it at the bottom. A few years ago, before we lost the ability to use HTML codes, I would indent the first word of each paragraph, too. I learned to do that long ago, in elementary school, when I wrote letters. Later, when I learned to type, I did the same. Much later, I learned to send email, and I used the same format that I have always used to send personal letters. So, you see, it isn’t the absence of a sharp and abiding concern for the precious bandwidth lost by transmitting those four letters and a carriage return, (although I must admit to that as well) it is a habit. It is one so ingrained that it has become more than habit, but rather an affectation of style. I think it’s called “old fashioned” by many. Such traditional forms are a comfort to some, although evidently an unexpected annoyance for others. But I shall remain, in this matter, and others, Your old fashioned correspondent, Tris ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-your-member-name-at-the-end-of-your-post-when-its-already-there-at-the-top/245089/68 "2004-05-18T21:38:29Z")
Nah, not annoyed, just puzzled. ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-your-member-name-at-the-end-of-your-post-when-its-already-there-at-the-top/245089/69 "2004-05-18T21:49:16Z")
I don’t understand what this thread is about? Perhaps I could use it to express my deepest admiration and respect for our glorious president and leader Mr. Bush (pboh). Vote Bush! Regards, Reeder ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-your-member-name-at-the-end-of-your-post-when-its-already-there-at-the-top/245089/70 "2004-05-19T09:47:30Z")
> [@blowero](#): > > O.K., except that you _don’t_ sign your member name at the end of your posts. > > 😕 True, but it’s a related point. pan ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-your-member-name-at-the-end-of-your-post-when-its-already-there-at-the-top/245089/71 "2004-05-19T10:00:07Z")
> [@gum](#): > > Originally posted by **moriah** > salaam, > Brutus Hehehe. Are you taking bets on when this sign off will appear? The odds must be 10000:1. I want in on that. Amen Kiwi 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-your-member-name-at-the-end-of-your-post-when-its-already-there-at-the-top/245089.md?page=3)