bonk/oif

In the U.S. {MUD} community, it has become traditional to express pique or censure by bonking the offending person. Convention holds that one should acknowledge a bonk by saying "oif!" and there is a myth to the effect that failing to do so upsets the cosmic bonk/oif balance, causing much trouble in the universe. Some MUDs have implemented special commands for bonking and oifing. Note: in parts of the U.K. `bonk' is a sexually loaded slang term; care is advised in transatlantic conversations (see {boink}). Commonwealth hackers report a similar convention involving the `fish/bang' balance. See also {talk mode}.

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