# Why do you "sign" your posts? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 11, 2006, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515 "2006-01-11T17:12:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Leviosaurus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Leviosaurus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leviosaurus)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/21 "2006-01-12T09:53:04Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > One day I pray we will see the demise of the gratuitous signature. This is a sig line I’d actually use (although to be honest, I also liked “Remember: King Kong died for your sins”) ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/22 "2006-01-12T10:54:17Z")
I put my name at the end of each post for two simple reasons. First,I was taught to end most written forms of communication with my name even though the person reading my memo or letter knew who it came from. And B, signing my name serves to let readers know that the message is officially over. How anyone could find it annoying is beyond me but then I guess we’re all annoyed by silly things from time to time. Marc ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/23 "2006-01-12T11:05:06Z")
> [@MGibson](#): > > I put my name at the end of each post for two simple reasons. First,I was taught to end most written forms of communication with my name even though the person reading my memo or letter knew who it came from. And B, signing my name serves to let readers know that the message is officially over. How anyone could find it annoying is beyond me but then I guess we’re all annoyed by silly things from time to time. > > Marc On a MB it comes across as pretentious and self-aggrandizing. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/24 "2006-01-12T12:15:06Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > On a MB it comes across as pretentious and self-aggrandizing. Could you please explain to me how ending a post on a message board is pretentious and self aggrandizing? Because I honestly don’t see how ending a post with “Marc” makes me appear greater or more important. Please, illuminate me. Marc ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/25 "2006-01-12T12:38:33Z")
Largely because you name is listed at the top of the post already, repeating it serves to draw attention to yourself above and beyond others. Secondly, it has an effect of punctuating your comments in a way that attempts to add false authority. Hancockian in a way. That’s how it seems. I compare it to visiting a lesser message board which allows obnoxious sigs with avatars and gaudy animated images. It screams “Look at me! I’m so original! I’m an individual!”. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/26 "2006-01-12T12:57:53Z")
So you know when to stop reading, of course. A friend asked me the same thing about emails. As long as there is a return address on a letter you could ask the same question. It’s a traditional, polite form, although for MBs and e-mails I guess it’s not entirely necessary. Sometimes it is useful to know that the mail/post was completed. - Shibb, who usually doesn’t sign his posts except to add strange little comments like this. PS Plus you can’t add a postscript without a signature. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/27 "2006-01-12T13:01:45Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Largely because you name is listed at the top of the post already, repeating it serves to draw attention to yourself above and beyond others. Secondly, it has an effect of punctuating your comments in a way that attempts to add false authority. Hancockian in a way. It really serves to draw attention to myself above and beyond others? After posting my last message I checked out several other theads and realized that a lot of people didn’t sign their posts. It wasn’t something I had ever noticed before and it doesn’t really bother me one way or the other. How can “Marc” be interpreted by anyone as an attempt to add authority to a post? Thanks for answering my question. It is plain that you’ve put more thought into this particular subject then I ever imagined but I think your attitude says more about how you view others then those who sign their posts. Ah well, that’s what I get for asking. Marc \<----notice it’s not the same as my username. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/28 "2006-01-12T13:19:45Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Largely because you name is listed at the top of the post already, repeating it serves to draw attention to yourself above and beyond others. Secondly, it has an effect of punctuating your comments in a way that attempts to add false authority. Hancockian in a way. > > That’s how it seems. That is how it seems to you. To me it just seems slightly formal. Also, on a large post it can serve as a reminder of who the poster is, you don’t have to scroll back to the top of the post for the poster’s name. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/29 "2006-01-12T13:24:20Z")
Meant to add this: It is no different from signing off an email even though you may have your name in your email address as well as having an auto signature with your name and contact details. It is also a way to indicate how you would like to be addressed. E.g., I would guess that **MGibson** is happy being referred to as “Marc.” In the same way, I might sign of as “Ray.” Enjoy and Regards, Ray ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weird\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/30 "2006-01-12T14:58:07Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Largely because you name is listed at the top of the post already, repeating it serves to draw attention to yourself above and beyond others. Secondly, it has an effect of punctuating your comments in a way that attempts to add false authority. Hancockian in a way. > > That’s how it seems. > > I compare it to visiting a lesser message board which allows obnoxious sigs with avatars and gaudy animated images. It screams “Look at me! I’m so original! I’m an individual!”. I’m sorry, but I don’t get this at all. I’ve never signed a post, although I almost did once, simply because I’m used to signing all my other written missives. Which is why I assume other people do it. To me, it just comes off as a formality, sort of like the “I [candidate] endorse this message” at the end of political ads. How does it “add false authority” to sign a post? I, Abby, endorse this post. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/31 "2006-01-12T15:12:05Z")
Just to be clear, I’m not talking about sig lines. People use them for various reasons, and hey, I’m not here to judge. My original OP was more about two questions: 1. Since I can see your username, why do you bother to type it again at the bottom of your post? 2. If you sign a different name at the bottom of your post, why did you bother with a username in the first place? I was just curious. It doesn’t really “bother” me, per se. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/32 "2006-01-12T15:15:43Z")
> [@Dante](#): > > When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bike. Then I realised that The Lord doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me. Now that is a great sig line! ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/33 "2006-01-12T15:20:23Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Now that is a great sig line! Courtesy of Emo Phillips. ---
**Author:** ![D.E.S.K.Top668](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@D.E.S.K.Top668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D.E.S.K.Top668)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/34 "2006-01-12T15:35:38Z")
I sign my posts out of habit. On another message board where I’m a bit more active, people used to call me D.E.S.K.Top668 and usually got it wrong, so I started signing to let people know it was OK to just refer to me as DESK. Just the word “DESK” at the bottom confused some people (obviously not the Mensa board) so I started adding something (usually “Peace” or “Thanks in advance”) to make it a bit clearer. Oh, it also gives me a place to hide the _fnord_ Peace - DESK _fnord_ ---
**Author:** ![JustAnotherGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/58f4c7/32.png) [@JustAnotherGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustAnotherGeek)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/35 "2006-01-12T15:56:33Z")
I don’t always sign my posts, but when I do, it’s for a couple of reasons. I guess because I think it makes the post more ‘personal.’ Yeah, I know that my username is in the header, but, when I actually take the time to respond to someone’s question in a helpful way, I think it makes sense to put something that says, ‘I actually thought about this.’ I also sign with “Geek” beacuse there are a number of different ways one could shorten my obviously too long username. I would prefer to not be refered to as “JAG” as I am neither a military lawyer nor (I hope) a jag-off. 😃 -Geek ---
**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:** [January 12, 2006, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/36 "2006-01-12T16:41:38Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Largely because you name is listed at the top of the post already, repeating it serves to draw attention to yourself above and beyond others. Secondly, it has an effect of punctuating your comments in a way that attempts to add false authority. Hancockian in a way. > > That’s how it seems. > > I compare it to visiting a lesser message board which allows obnoxious sigs with avatars and gaudy animated images. It screams “Look at me! I’m so original! I’m an individual!”. As I explained, I am signing off with my real first name to personalize my post and clear up Gender. It is also somehow more polite to me to sign off a large post. On really short ones I often don’t. I am sorry if it offends but maybe you can work through your issues with it, I don’t believe it is intended by most users the way you stated above. Of course I could be wrong, but I don’t intend it the way you stated above at least. Jim ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/37 "2006-01-12T17:28:30Z")
Once in a while I sign with my username because I’m adding some tidbit of info I couldn’t otherwise fit in the post, such as: WhyNot, mother of two or WhyNot, who loves kumquats or your firespinning weirdo, WhyNot But generally I don’t bother. It only occasionally bothers me. Sometimes I forget, for example, whose username “Daniel” belongs to (Left Hand of Dorkness), because I’ve come to think of him as Daniel. And I do have to say I find Shodan’s “Regards” a little annoying, but it’s because, to me, “Regards” is what you say to close a conversation, like “Out” on a radio. It seems like he’s trying to get the last word in, rather than encouraging response. WhyNot, who’s often ambivalent ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/38 "2006-01-12T18:27:44Z")
FWIW, I almost never notice who writes what unless their name appears in the body or [quote] tag of a post. So the signers will get noticed by me more, and really, what else is anyone here for? Yer pal, Satan. ---
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/39 "2006-01-12T18:32:47Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Largely because you name is listed at the top of the post already, repeating it serves to draw attention to yourself above and beyond others. Secondly, it has an effect of punctuating your comments in a way that attempts to add false authority. Hancockian in a way. > > That’s how it seems. > > I compare it to visiting a lesser message board which allows obnoxious sigs with avatars and gaudy animated images. It screams “Look at me! I’m so original! I’m an individual!”. Really! Cool… Dave ---
**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:** [January 12, 2006, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/40 "2006-01-12T18:52:45Z")
> [@Troy McClure SF](#): > > FWIW, I almost never notice who writes what unless their name appears in the body or {quote} tag of a post. So the signers will get noticed by me more, and really, what else is anyone here for? > Yer pal, Satan. So lets see, must remember for now on that \*\*Troy McClure SF \*\* is **Satan** 😉 Jim who was forced to modify Satan post as [quote] screws up replies. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515.md?page=3)