fluffle

An IRC/IM emote term representing a playful, non-sexual sign of affection.

The usual physical analogy is a ruffling of someone's hair, though in the medium of text-based electronic communication, the term does not require physical form and remains equally valid as an abstraction.

Indeed, at the very highest level of abstraction, a fluffle not only need not have a physical analogue, but need not be directed at a specific individual. Used in this way (3), fluffling becomes a general outward radiation of affection.

1) * Tactical_Grace fluffles Unfree

2) Random_Player > Fluffles to all :)

3) * Unfree fluffles

53👍 20👎

space opera

A space opera is a grand epic drama or adventure set in a distant sci-fi future. What precisely fits into this genre is notoriously difficult to define, as it appears to encompass everything from Star Trek to the Culture universe.

'Excession' (Iain M Banks), 'A Fire Upon The Deep' (Vernor Vinge) and 'Second Foundation' (Isaac Asimov) are instantly recognisable as space operas.

20👍 10👎