# What does the term "pwn" mean? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 24, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130 "2011-07-24T02:04:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jebert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ec9cab/32.png) [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/1 "2011-07-24T02:04:12Z")
I’ve seen this term used in a few threads. What does it mean, and what is the origin of it? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/2 "2011-07-24T02:09:25Z")
It literally means “own.” It became pwn because that was a common typo for own. When you get one over on someone you own (pwn) them. When I was a kid, we’d use “burn” for the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/3 "2011-07-24T02:09:53Z")
It means “to decisively and overwhelmingly defeat”. The origin is from video-gaming culture - players who were defeated were said to be “owned,” and the natural misspelling of this as “pwned” (because ‘o’ is next to ‘p’ on the keyboard) became standard. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/4 "2011-07-24T03:00:01Z")
It is used almost exclusively by gamers (almost always young ones at that), except when it’s used ironically by people who are mocking leet-speakers. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/5 "2011-07-24T03:18:13Z")
Also, for the record, it was originally pronounced the same as “own,” just being an intentional typo. As the usage increased, the p is increasingly pronounced, and I think it’s more or less standard to pronounce it as “pone” now. ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/6 "2011-07-24T03:23:25Z")
It is also used to describe compromised computers. If your computer is “pwned” it is under the control of someone else. This usually involves a security issue that has allowed the installation of remote control software. Typically making your computer part of a 'bot farm for the spreading of spam, distributed denial of service attacks, installation of a keylogger with the intent of stealing your various passwords, or all three. So it also becomes slang for controlling something, or someone. Like most slang it is pretty fluid in its application. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/7 "2011-07-24T03:24:50Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > … > When I was a kid, we’d use “burn” for the same thing. Heh. I had forgotten about that. We also used to say “psych,” and for maximum effect pull down a lower eyelid. Haven’t thought about that in years. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/8 "2011-07-24T03:56:39Z")
“Burn” is more for a witty insult, though, while “pwn” usually refers to some sort of competition. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/9 "2011-07-24T04:04:48Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > “Burn” is more for a witty insult > … “Witty”? Would Oscar Wilde use it? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/10 "2011-07-24T04:12:05Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > “Witty”? Would Oscar Wilde use it? No, but if someone quoted Wilde, someone might reply, “Ha ha, burn!” * * * BigT–Taking jokes literally for comedy for 16 years. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/11 "2011-07-24T05:57:23Z")
> [@typoink](#): > > As the usage increased, the p is increasingly pronounced, and I think it’s more or less standard to pronounce it as “pone” now. As an old man at thirty years old, I am appalled by this pronunciation. My God, back in my day - when you got “pwned” in Q3A, you were “owned”, not “poned” or “pweened” or whatever these ridiculous kids say these days. Have some God-damned respect! Decorum, people. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/12 "2011-07-24T06:30:21Z")
> [@GameHat](#): > > As an old man at thirty years old, I am appalled by this pronunciation. > > My God, back in my day - when you got “pwned” in Q3A, you were “owned”, not “poned” or “pweened” or whatever these ridiculous kids say these days. Have some God-damned respect! Decorum, people. > > 😃 I’m 36 and the only pronunciation I’ve ever been familiar with is “poned.” ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/13 "2011-07-24T08:26:25Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I’m 36 and the only pronunciation I’ve ever been familiar with is “poned.” I’m thirty six as well and think it should be pronounced owned. Fortunately Norwegian kids have translated it into Norwegian so it’s not a problem in my daily life. Anyone saying ‘lol’ should be flogged in the village square though. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/14 "2011-07-24T08:30:54Z")
> [@naita](#): > > I’m thirty six as well and think it should be pronounced owned. Fortunately Norwegian kids have translated it into Norwegian so it’s not a problem in my daily life. > > Anyone saying ‘lol’ should be flogged in the village square though. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever actually heard it said aloud until about 2003 or so, where I’ve heard it as “poned.” Whenever I read it to myself, I just said “pawned.” It is my understanding that “owned” is indeed the original pronunciation, but I’ve just never heard anyone say it as such. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/15 "2011-07-24T10:00:45Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever actually heard it said aloud until about 2003 or so, where I’ve heard it as “poned.” Whenever I read it to myself, I just said “pawned.” It is my understanding that “owned” is indeed the original pronunciation, but I’ve just never heard anyone say it as such. Pawned? :eek: Like you pawn jewelry? Where does the ‘a’ come from? I’ve been a PC gamer since 2001 and I’ve never heard anyone pronounce pwn as own. Because you pronounce own as own. Pwn is usually in the realm of ironic gamer hipsterism, except for 13 year olds who don’t know better. Pwning someone is just a little more severe than owning someone. And if you want to ironically refer to your l337 skills you don’t say “elite” unless you’re really reaching for a laugh. You say leet. ---
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/16 "2011-07-24T11:00:06Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever actually heard it said aloud until about 2003 or so, where I’ve heard it as “poned.” Whenever I read it to myself, I just said “pawned.” It is my understanding that “owned” is indeed the original pronunciation, but I’ve just never heard anyone say it as such. I was just saying this exact same thing to my wife that regardless of the obvious origins of the typo driven word, pwned reads as pawned in my abbreviation lizard part of my mind. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/17 "2011-07-24T11:46:01Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > Pawned? :eek: Like you pawn jewelry? Where does the ‘a’ come from? > . I’ve taken it as pawned, and in the context, not only owned, but sold and cashed in. A way of saying that yes I took what you felt was valuable to you but it was not worth enough to me to hang on to it so I sold it. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/18 "2011-07-24T12:21:20Z")
> [@GameHat](#): > > As an old man at thirty years old, I am appalled by this pronunciation. > > My God, back in my day - when you got “pwned” in Q3A, you were “owned”, not “poned” or “pweened” or whatever these ridiculous kids say these days. Have some God-damned respect! Decorum, people. > > 😃 Get off my lawn you little sons-of-bitches! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/19 "2011-07-24T15:38:07Z")
I did once use it in response to a particularly devastating chess capture. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130/20 "2011-07-24T16:21:14Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > Pawned? :eek: Like you pawn jewelry? Where does the ‘a’ come from? > > I’ve been a PC gamer since 2001 and I’ve never heard anyone pronounce pwn as own. Because you pronounce own as own. Pwn is usually in the realm of ironic gamer hipsterism, except for 13 year olds who don’t know better. Pwning someone is just a little more severe than owning someone. And if you want to ironically refer to your l337 skills you don’t say “elite” unless you’re really reaching for a laugh. You say leet. I’ve always pronounced it “poned” - like “boned”. That being said, the majority of the time I just use “own” rather than “pwn”. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-pwn-mean/590130.md?page=2)