OT: Noob vs Newbie, etc

[Squirrelloid]

Originally Posted by Gandalf Parker

I think that "you are a newbie" is different than "you are a n00b".

And I happen to think you're wrong, so we're back to a language debate.

I cant think of a similar example using the word "freshman".

The parallel for what you think the distinction is would be 'frosh'. However, that is actually a different word rather than a different spelling, and I can't think of a different spelling of the word 'freshman' in english.

(not that I have any problems with 'frosh', having been one once upon a time. The people who used the term derogatively would have used any other term with the same vocal tones to imply denegration).