[Ads-l] to spam = to repeat (13 Mar 2006)

[Barretts Mail]

I’ve been hearing the verb “spam” to mean “repeat” lately. I don’t think this has been covered on the ADS. I found this meaning only in Wiktionary and the Urban Dictionary. 

Here’s an example in the compound “to spam blink”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4AXvDfVG-Y <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4AXvDfVG-Y>, 0.27
World's CRAZIEST Mind Tricks! (optical illusions)
SocksReact
21 Dec 2021

1. Wiktionary (https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/spam#Verb <https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/spam#Verb>) covers this, saying rapidity is key.

2. The UD (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=SPAM <https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=SPAM>) also has this. Maybe 16 years is my limit on ignoring usage. 
Jinzo17 
March 13, 2006

(Verb) To constantly repeat something over and over again. In video games this is often used to refer to using a particular skill or action multiple times in rapid succession. (e.g., to spam fireball) (adj. form: spammable)

3. The UD also has a 2005 citation that seems to be a likely precursor.
Jediknight4587 
May 29, 2005

To rapidly post the same line in a chat room consecutively
Uber: Quit Spamming Chat Noob 
Noob: u hav no lyfe 
Noob: u hav no lyfe 
Noob: u hav no lyfe 
Noob: u hav no lyfe 
Noob: u hav no lyfe 
Noob: u hav no lyfe 
Noob: u hav no lyfe

Arguably the second definition of the OED fits this: To flood (a network, esp. the internet, a newsgroup, or individuals) with a large number of unsolicited postings, or multiple copies of the same posting.

Benjamin Barrett (he/his/him)
Formerly of Seattle, WA
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