# 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:** 17\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![rinni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f6c823/32.png) [@rinni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rinni)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2006, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/61 "2006-01-14T13:38:40Z")
For some reason I can’t exactly place, I like when people sign their posts. Especially if they sign with their real name. To me, it doesn’t come off as pretentious. It comes off as “Hey, buddy, we’re all friends here, call me John(na)!” I reiterate that this is just how I think. I suppose am the eternal message board optimist. ~ Lynn! (Who doesn’t usually sign posts and isn’t about to start, but sometimes wishes she were **One Of Those People who Signs Their Posts.** Just not badly enough to actually do it.) ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2006, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/62 "2006-01-14T14:38:08Z")
I use mine rarely, since it’s a political statement and not always appropriate. ---
**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 14, 2006, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/63 "2006-01-14T14:54:27Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Heh heh. It just goes to show you that we’re all pals and can laugh at things together. In honor of your wonderful sense of humor I have decided not to sign this post. 😃 Just this once though. Wow…I feel so naked. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2006, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/64 "2006-01-15T05:36:25Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > I use mine rarely, since it’s a political statement and not always appropriate. We’re not talking about _those_, we’re talking about _this_: –A. Fetus ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2006, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/65 "2006-01-15T09:22:16Z")
I do all the time. It’s sort of like signing a letter. Also, to quote some famous philosopher, “Why the hell not?” Tripler Plus, it dileniates a funny comment from my siglines. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2006, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/66 "2006-01-15T17:23:10Z")
> [@Patty O'Furniture](#): > > What’s even more perplexing is when some people have a closing sentiment in their sign line, which sometimes imparts a feeling very different from the post itself. Or when it becomes an inappropriate response to the thread subject. In a condolence thread on another board (poster’s young brother died), the sig lines include blurbs for books entitled “The Summer I Died” and “The Loveliest Dead”, as well as these quotes: \*“Well hello Mr. Fancypants. I got news for you pal, you ain’t leadin’ but two things right now: jack and shit - and jack left town.” “Sometimes when inspiration hits and I am joyfully writing, I suddenly discover the Fates have sent me an idiot muse named Igor.” I’m not good at giving morals, and I don’t fear the consequence, if life makes you scared and bitter, at least its not for very long “I used to be a werewolf but I think I’m cured nowwwWW-OW-OWRROOOOO!” “Take your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape!”\* – as well as a few by Homer Simpson. If I owned a board, I wouldn’t allow sig lines, especially if they were graphic ads for websites. Half the time they take up more space than the post. ---
**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 15, 2006, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/67 "2006-01-15T17:37:02Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > Or when it becomes an inappropriate response to the thread subject. > …snip… > If I owned a board, I wouldn’t allow sig lines, especially if they were graphic ads for websites. Half the time they take up more space than the post. This is not what the Op was talking about, but in addressing your issue two days ago, I finally had a small epiphany. Thus my new Sig. Jim ---
**Author:** ![LucyInDisguise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucyindisguise/32/18064_2.png) [@LucyInDisguise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LucyInDisguise)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2006, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/68 "2006-01-15T18:18:12Z")
> [@JustAnotherGeek](#): > > 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 I don’t sign all of my posts, either. If I do it is for one of the following reasons (or possibly all three, come to think of it): #1 is the same as one of **Geek’s**. I would much prefer to have people shorten my (obviously misleading) user name to “ **Lucy** ” rather than \*\*LiD \*\* as all too many have done. (A “lid” is something I used to buy in my wilder days …) Lucy is actually my name. I prefer others to actually use it if they’re not going to use my full user name. If that’s pretentious, well … #2 to indicate this (or any given signed post) is probably a one-time reponse to an idea or subject in a thread. (e.g. I don’t have any intention of making additional posts in the thread.) Kind of a friendly “See ya next time” wave. #3 – indicate a personal response to an individual poster who made a personal comment to me. I’d like 'em to know that I’m talking to them, personally, and not to everyone who has posted in a thread. (Usually coupled with a person greeting to that poster, which doesn’t seem to be an issue …) As for the sig line, just because it keeps coming up, mine is primarily used to clarify the gender thingy. Lucy ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/69 "2006-01-16T08:29:56Z")
> [@DanBlather](#): > > Adam, is that you? Steve?!? > [@LucyInDisguise](#): > > A “lid” is something I used to buy in my wilder days … OK, I like to think of myself as pretty educated on the kind of things people buy in their wilder days, having bought a lot of wild things in my wilder days, myself. But what the hell is a lid? (Great Dopername, BTW!) ---
**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 16, 2006, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/70 "2006-01-16T13:58:20Z")
> [@What Exit?](#): > > This is not what the Op was talking about, but in addressing your issue two days ago, I finally had a small epiphany. Thus my new Sig. > > Jim Please ognore the above post, I had to change my Sig again, example is no longer valid. It basically said. “I had a small epiphany the other day and finally realized that whenever you change your sig it changes everyplace you ever used it. So I will keep my Sig boring and nuetral for now on.” Jim ---
**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 16, 2006, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/71 "2006-01-16T14:53:39Z")
> [@fetus](#): > > OK, I like to think of myself as pretty educated on the kind of things people buy in their wilder days, having bought a lot of wild things in my wilder days, myself. But what the hell is a lid? > > (Great Dopername, BTW!) A lid is a measure of pot (maybe other drugs too). Not sure exactly what the weight of a lid is, but I’m guessing someone will come along and expand on this. ---
**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 16, 2006, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/72 "2006-01-16T15:20:20Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > A lid is a measure of pot (maybe other drugs too). Not sure exactly what the weight of a lid is, but I’m guessing someone will come along and expand on this. Interesting, I recall a **lid** being a hit of Acid or the amount of Crystal Meth expected to be one dose. Pot was sold in Nickle or Dime bags or Pin Joints, Joints or even Chongs. (probably a local nickname for very fat joints named in honor of Tommy Chong). As all drug lingo is usually slang, a lid probably varies from place to place. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/73 "2006-01-16T19:01:38Z")
Yeah, a lid sounded more like a hit of acid to me. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/74 "2006-01-16T20:17:59Z")
**lieu** ’s brilliantly insightful and witty post is absolutely correct. In fact, everything he has ever posted is absolutely correct, and I agree with him completely. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/75 "2006-01-16T20:22:39Z")
Actually, I do it because I sign all my correspondence with “Regards”. Sometimes I have to stop myself from using “Shodan” instead of my real name. And this medium feels a lot more like writing mail than talking. It never occurred to me that it would sound pretentious. Sarcastic, sure, especially after I have just finished flaming someone. But I usually do it to remind people (including myself) that it is just a messageboard, and not really something to get upset about. I have to be really pissed off not to include it at the end. Which makes it simply a petty way to blow off steam. I don’t mean it to be offensive. Usually. Regards, Shodan ---
**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 16, 2006, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/76 "2006-01-16T20:35:33Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Actually, I do it because I sign all my correspondence with “Regards”. Sometimes I have to stop myself from using “Shodan” instead of my real name. And this medium feels a lot more like writing mail than talking. > > It never occurred to me that it would sound pretentious. Sarcastic, sure, especially after I have just finished flaming someone. But I usually do it to remind people (including myself) that it is just a messageboard, and not really something to get upset about. I have to be really pissed off not to include it at the end. Which makes it simply a petty way to blow off steam. > > I don’t mean it to be offensive. Usually. > > Regards, > Shodan Why you conceited, arrogant, offensive, sockpuppetmaster, why do you insult us all like this. Humphhh!!! I keed. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515/77 "2006-01-18T14:51:44Z")
I do it for the simple reason that you sign written communications. I always sign emails, even if they’re just one word. IMO, to do otherwise is sloppy. I never notice usernames on posts when scanning through a thread. I think it’s because they’re in a different color and font – they just disappear. So if someone has a signature or a memorable sig line, I will start to recognize them over time. I think it’s helpful throughout the community that all of us recognize each other in that kind of a way, to the extent possible. But I think sigs are universally dopey, so the only other option is a simple signature. Anyway, I when I do six pretentious and self-aggrandizing things, I know it’s time for breakfast, so I’m not really bothered by that criticism. –Cliffy [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sign-your-posts/339515.md?page=3)