1337

A language used by hackers and posers alike, it began in 1993. In that year, only the lightest 133t was used by hackers, just enough so that their web sites would not be found in a mainstream keyword search. For several years, it went on like this, and was relatively unknown. Then, with the release of massive multiplayer online roly playing games (MMORPG's), a few hackers began to play, and they used l33t in the game's chat system. Now, several years later, l33t has permeated the entire Internet, being used both by those who are truly hackers, and people who use what they pick up. 133t comes in several rankings, starting at light l33t, up to hard 1337, and finally ending with ultra |_33¯|¯. There is also something that I will not try, and that is known as 'uber l33t,' in which neither letters nor numbers can be used. This is reserved to only the truly great, and almost requires a modified keyboard.