purging

adj : serving to purge or rid of sin; "purgatorial rites" [syn: {purgatorial},

{purifying}]

n 1: an act of removing by cleansing; ridding of sediment or

other other undesired elements [syn: {purge}, {purgation}]

2: the act of clearing yourself (or another) from some stigma

or charge [syn: {purge}, {purgation}]

lurking

The activity of one of the "silent

majority" in a electronic forum such as {Usenet}; posting

occasionally or not at all but reading the group's postings

regularly. This term is not pejorative and indeed is casually

used reflexively: "Oh, I'm just lurking". Often used in "the

lurkers", the hypothetical audience for the group's

{flamage}-emitting regulars.

Lurking and reading the {FAQ} are recommended {netiquette} for

beginners who need to learn the history and practises of the

group before posting.

(1997-06-14)