Geek *and* psychological warfare.
Geek *and* psychological warfare.

This is a little complicated and the success rate low. If you dont know what SQL is, look away now.

I used to work at a SQL development company. We pronounce SQL as "ess queue el". Some pronounce it "sequel". I don't know the correct way and don't much care.

We hired some serious SQL developers, as we were crap. In the first meeting with them, we had decided that whenever we mention SQL, we were to pronounce it "squell" - and make it look like we always said it like that.

The first mention, and we managed not to even titter, all the new guys looked a little strange. We held their gaze. We said it again, all in the context of the work we were discuss.

That was stage 1. Psychologically it works like this:

New guy hears "squell" and thinks the following:

"oh my god they call it squell, everyone knows its SQL. I've been doing this for years, I'm an expert. Hang on, this is my first day, if I correct them on something so fundamental, I'm going to look like a twat. I'll stay quiet"

Stage 2.

New guy starts to use the term squell in the meeting. Stage 2 accomplished if no one reacts/titters/laughs.

Stage 3 - the best bit.

The new guy starts properly and meets the rest of the staff - importantly, they are not in on the joke. He establishes himself and starts work. At some point, remembering how "they say it round here" he will use the term himself. The existing member of staff now thinks:

"He's a new guy but I know he's an expert. I could have sworn its pronounced 'sequel' but I'll defer to him, after all, he's an expert. I won't correct him because I dont want to upset the guy. I will now refer to SQL as Squell. "

At this point, the staff member uses the term to the new guy, thus reinforcing his own thoughts.

This will then escalate until everyone uses it.


Note: You can of course use any sort of term that fits in. It just works nicely with SQL.
For example, the unix vi program. "vee aye" or "vye" or "Vee" or anything.

Apologies for length. Ha ha not really.
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Mon 9 May 2005, 16:27, Reply)