Double double, toil and trouble twitzer twhirl twitch and twubble . The language of Shakespeare’s era may be difficult to understand but so is internet speak; the vocabulary of Twitter adding to the frothing cauldron.
Where do you begin with Twitter?:
As you may know the basic Twitter interface is just that - basic. Type in a short message and press enter. There are some official twitter commands that you can use. For example the @ command before a contacts name addresses a message to that person:
- From Sueblimely ” @Shakespeare Your rhymes are more revolting than Roald Dahl’s”
- DHLawrence to Shakespeare - “@Shakespeare When I read Shakespeare I am struck with wonder That such trivial people should muse and thunderIn such a lovely language.”
- replies from Shakespeare:
- @Sueblimely I thank you for your voice: thank you: Your most sweet voice. I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.
- @ DHLawrence Thou surly ill-breeding death-token!
Adding “Retweet: @” indicates that you are rebroadcasting a message made by someone else. e.g.
- Retweet: @Hamlet I am struck with wonder That such trivial people should muse and thunder In such a lovely language.
A hashtag (#) before a word is a kind of tag, a word which identifies a topic, place, event etc.
- #shakesepeare The Taming of the Shrew and Hamlet are showing in Stratford this season http://www.rsc.org.uk/content/5153.aspx.
#Hamlet @horatio O, I die, Horatio; The potent poison quite o’er-crows my spirit: I cannot live to hear the tweets from England;
Be careful you do not misquote 
It may help to take a look at The Art and Science of Retweeting for Twitteraholics by Blogging Bits.
- Caroline Middlebrooke’s The Big Juicy Twitter Guide is worth reading if you are a newcomer to Twitter as is
- How to: The Beginners Guide to Twitter - Part 1, the basics by carocat of Cat’s Blog .
- How to explain Twitter and use it correctly, before it’s too late on New Media Bytes discusses twitter etiquette (twitiquette) and includes a video tutorial by Common Craft.
- 20 Things I Learned Using Twitter has some good tips on making the most of Twitter, finding contacts and using it efficiently/
There are so many applications, clients. scripts and extensions for interacting with Twitter (hereafter referred to as “thingies” - no that should be “thwingies”). Twitter is becoming far more than a simple messaging platform; with potential to provide us with valuable targeted multimedia information via computer and phone. Taking advantage of this means using more than the basic twitter site interface.
Where to find out more about Twitter thwingies:
- Twitter Fan Wiki, which is dedicated to keeping up with Twitter thwingies and all sorts of other aspects.
- ReadWriteWeb monitored methods used for interacting with Twitter and have produced a list of the top 20 (out of 142 possible ways). How We Tweet: The Definitive List of the Top Twitter Clients. The site has recently published The Most Popular Twitter Apps According to the Blogosphere. As I was writing this a Digsby popup informed me they had just published another - Top 10 Twitter Apps
- Mashable list 24th May -Twittermania: 140+ More Twitter Tools! - includes links to their other Twitter tool posts.
How and why to use Twitter:
- Maki of DoshDosh is cluey about Twitter and has written a number of posts on the topic including 17 Ways You Can Use Twitter: A Guide for Beginners, Marketers and Business Owners
- ProBlogger Darren Rowse is also a good source of knowledge. Take a look at 9 Benefits of Twitter for Bloggers for starters.
- 12 ways to use Twitter to increase your productivity on Simple Net.
- Twitter Freaks Group on diigo
That is enough reading material for now. While writing this, I have been trying to think of new twitter terms. How about:
- Twinkling - what the the Twitterati Glitterati do, whereas the rest of us tweet or twitter.
- Twender - how you message your sweetheart.
- Twyslexic - bad spelling in tertwit
- Twenterhooks - when you are waiting eagerly for a reply
I will leave you to guess what these already coined unofficial Twitter terms mean.
- Twisticuffs
- Twitterrheart
- Tweetheart
You can find the answers on the Twitter Fan Wiki Glossary and check out more Twitter terms and shortcuts on their Twictionary.
If you can think of any more of these, or know of good beginner’s guides to Twitter, please leave a comment or send a tweet to @Sueblimely.
Popularity: 18% [?]
Twitt!
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Hi Igor. Not sure if your comment was in relation to me for writing this post (accurate too) or a Twitter term you are suggesting. It is good to see you here in my little part of the blogosphere. Do come again.
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Thanks for this info! I have been spending some time trying to learn more about Twitter. I appreciate you sharing this info with us. Thanks again.
Thanks for linking to my Guide, but please also give correct credit, thanks. C
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Apologies,carocat. I have now given you two links to make up for it
Thanks a lot.
And I’m glad you liked it!
Cats last blog post..First come first served - Invites to Brightkite and Mento giveaway
I guess you have not seen Michael Arrington Twitter video comments post? Twitt!
Igor The Trolls last blog post..China earthquake Twitter Robert Scoble
How timely Sueblimely. Just this afternoon I decided it was time I actually DID something with the Twitter account I signed up for AGES ago.
Right now I still have very little clue how it all works. But I’m guessing I’ll get the hang it sooner or later.
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PLay around with Twitter for a couple days, look through the options, find yourself a great application to tweet from and you’ll never want to go back!
Twitter’s been having problems for a few days and I’ve missed it!
Cats last blog post..First come first served - Invites to Brightkite and Mento giveaway
Wow the blog world is abuzz with handy info today. Zhu posted on basiics for blogging, I posted on IMVU and you are all a twitter about twitter. I haven’t registered there yet but will probably do so within the next week. Word is if you aren’t twittering you aren’t ‘in’
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Wow! Sueblimely, this post is simply funtwitteristic! I am learning a lot. For example the use of a simply key to achieve an interesting result. Earlier I am not moving deep into Twitter but now I shall enjoy the benefits Twitter is offering…
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Dear Sueblimely, it has worthwhile my visiting and reading here, The God willing, I shall spend more precious moments benefiting form your posts, soon…
Zubli Zainordins last blog post..Shahrir Samad Blogs
I have ever used Twitter service for a couple of days and decided to stop using it. It might be because I haven’t really learnt deeper to get more benefit of it.
Thanks for the article. I will give it a second chance.
Great post - twitter can be baffling to many - like me
Hi Sue,
My goodness it has been ages. I took a long long break and it is taking me sometime to make all of the rounds.
I am so grateful to you for this post. I have wanted to add twitter for so long. I already have registered but was too numb to understand all of it.
I have a post to get prepared for a friend who just had his book first book of poetry published.
And, I have to do a graphic for Speedy’s latest and greatest crazy antic.
After that I am headed right back here and see if I can follow your instructions and finally get on Twitter.
Oh BTW….Laurence is my daughter’s specialty. I am not a modernist fan. I love The Romantics. But, after listening to 8 years of Laurence and working through two dissertations with her….I know his writing well. But, I still don’t care for him.
Please don’t tell on me okay?
Hugs,
Jackie:-)
I am really getting into the swing of things with Twitter now and enjoying having some more direct contact with people I know through blogging. I am finding it an excellent source of news and good posts too - often it is a reminder for me to check out a blog if I am slow reading my RSS feeds. Twitter is the reason I found out about the next topic I am going to blog about too.
I always found Lawrence hard going. I liked Hardy when young and later became a Jane Austen fan - still love her books. My partner does not know how I could have liked Hardy because books are so depressing.
I look forward to catching up with you on Twitter when you are less busy. Please contact me if you need any help with it.
Oh dear,
I forgot to tell you that when I do my drops later today I will try to find you through a search and start dropping on you!!
To find someone on Entrecard you can click on the E in their blog’s Entrecard ad, next to or above the Drop Button, and it takes you to their profile.
Twitterrificabulousplendid Sue
I like Twhirl and it is good for guick direct messages.
I only use it from time to time and only from my computer. It is for the most part a bit silly and massively time wasting.
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I should have added that another good thing about Twitter is being silly
I agree though there is silly as in funny and silly as in inane on there. I do not want to know what someone had for breakfast.
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What a super list of Twitter options! Might I also add my Twitter humor site - http://www.TwitterBudgie.com ? It’s guaranteed to generate a smile or 76.
Best wishes,
Barbara
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Is there a way to see the @replies people send to you if you are not following them? I can’t find the setting.
Thx
Eric
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Every where I go all the rage is twitter, thanks for the little beginner tutorial because I had no idea what it was.
Very good article about the Tweetaholics like me. I enjoyed reading it and visiting all the links.
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haha i love your stwongbad on the sidebar. cant help but laugh every time i hear his voice @_@
Im not really sure what makes twitter so great, but lot of people seem to use it. I might be adding it to my Texas golf blog once i get some more posts up.
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Didn’t know Twitter was so complicated!
Thanks for the resources
That’s a superb info.
This twity things seem too complicated for me.
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I liked this post, it is very informative and comprehensive
You have excellent analysis. thanks for writting
i was a huge twitter freak, but now have slowed down my tweaks as they got time consuming
Thanks Sueblimely. I’ve been meaning to get to Twitter. I’ve printed our your blog to study.
I do not use twitter at all, but this guide has peaked my curiosity.
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You really broke it down! This is a great resource for all Twitter beginners; I will definitely be linking to it.
Hi Sublimely!
Great post on how to get started with Twitter. One of the things I’ve seen is that people tend to shy away from Twitter because they don’t understand how it works. Your simple guide gives great information and leads people to some great articles (even if mine isn’t listed :smile:).
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I have never done twitter. maybe I’ll start. It just seemed like kind of a big hassle, without any perceived benefit.
I was hoping this was a fad as I really found no use for it other than another time waster by tweens. But, after a CNN report that someone got arrested in Egypt and he used Twitter to get help there might actually be an honest good use for it…
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Great post ! I want to know when you update your blog, where can i subscribe to your blog?
Thanks for this post. Twitter frustrated me somewhat when I first used it but I’m much more comfortable with it especially now that the navigation is so much better. Take care.
Thanks for the Twitter tutorial! Does anyone know how we can use Twitter for SEM or backlinking purposes?
Rich
this post caught my eye since i just started using twitter. quite a late arrival me.
thanks for the links and advice here.
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Nice post, I never knew about the hashtag, I’m going to follow you on twitter now
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I tend to have phases with Twitter - it is not something I make a priority and if I am busy it tends to get neglected. To get a good rapport going with new people takes more time and consistency than I have been putting in.
I’m new to Twitter. This is really a good guide for me as a newbie. Thanks for guidig me..
Thanks for your helpful post. I’m new to Twitter as wasn’t sure how to get started. Your post help from a “technical” and “cultural” standpoint. Your post eased my transition into this foreign community.
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this is great I’m new to Twitter and I am learning a lot.Thanks for your helpful post.
Twitter can be such an enigma to newbies. Thanks for posting this tutorial to help people get their feet wet.
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You also can make your rss feed to have a twitter mirror and promote it in the community. I’m using that sometimes and that gives nice results.
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Nice post about twitter for begginers. Some great places and articles to learn almost anything you need to about twitter.
Great post Sue. I’m always kind of a late adopter (still no MySpace, and just got Facebook), so this will be helpful for me.
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Thank you for all your up to date information, it is appreciated.
I posted an interesting list about all Twitter applications that I found. It’s quite interesting.
Thanks, I actually have never even been on Twitter, but it is all the rage, and you can easily network on it!
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informative. funny funny twitter
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Thanks for the Twitter tutorial! Does anyone to know how to use Twitter for Search Engine Marketing…… ????
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Nice resource, I somehow missed the post by Darren on the 9 benefits of using twitter for bloggers.
Nice engagement about twitter as begginers. Some premium places also articles to debunk partly existent you rapture to about twitter.
I really don´t know what is so good on 140 char limited blogs…
I was looking for a post like this! never use twitter and do not really understand it at all, I will see if I understand a little more and i can give it a good use!
Nice post Sue. However, with Facebook’s “what are you doing” feature (status bar) I’ve started using Facebook as a replacement for Twitter. I wonder if others will start doing the same. Or, if Twitter starts incorporating some of what Facebook offers to stay in competition.
~ Colleen
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Facebook is more useful with the “what are you doing” feature I think more people will use that than Twitter. Look up Facebook on Google Trends, it’s still growing in popularity
I think that using either of the two (facebook and twitter) is useless unless i have all my friends there. At the moment i have some friends that love facebook and some that love twitter, so i have to use both. If people could just agree on the matter…..
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Great post, one of the most informative posts on this subject online actuallly.
Thanks and keep up the great work.
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Thats very useful information and it has helped a beginner like me to use twitter.
good twitter 101. now i have to figure out if i have enough twitworthy comments to share
Thanks Sue for the links. I was thinking of those twe/twitter terms as I type this comment, ha.. I think I’m gonna check out that twitter wiki for sure.
As for some resources for twitter beginners, for those who’s having difficulties on finding like-minded people to befriends with, perhaps they could check on this analysis : Killer Apps for a Successful Twitter Network. However I would advise them to check on the Clickable Chart first so they know which app(s) suits them the most. Just my 2 cents.
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Thanks for the post. I am finding it hard to go a day lately with out someone mentioning Twitter. It seems it may be a good way to expand my marketing.
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Thanks Sue,
The information available for Twitter is overwhelming. I think a post on the ONE place to start is in order!
~Colleen
Thanks Sue,
The information available for Twitter is overwhelming. I think a post on the ONE place to start is in order!
~Colleen
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This whole twitter thing is way overblown. I can’t figure out why people like it. Is it just me?
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I think I read on the CNN website that Twitter was growing at a faster pace than Facebook. I STILL don’t understand the popularity of Twitter as I really don’t wan to know what you are doing, what you are having for lunch, etc. And it seems as though the old time Twitter-ers feel the same thing as more mainstream people join… They are tweeting nonsense.
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just signed up for twitter to follow my son’s hockey team (their coach tweets updates of their scores from the bench)… everyone is using it now.
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thanks for your sharing
. i want bookmark this article because this article can help me problems
Sweet information! Thanks a lot!
Thanks for the great blog entry!
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Twitter is great, I add at least 15 friends a day, but I like most don’t really see a good application toward business for it, however I never really was a text person. I like to old fashion email or heck pick up the phone. I learned a ton by your article and thank you for posting it.
I was one of the few that didn’t even know Twitter had “official twitter commands”. I am truly a beginner at Twitter. Thank you so much for this detailed information on the basics of Twitter.
Do I just sent them as txt? Do I have to turn in on first? No, I don’t mean the phone, I mean do I have to txt ON to twitter first, then send the messages? Are there any instructions on Twitter for this. I have the web on my phone do you think I could just log into twitter from my phone?
sorry for long time i didn’t acces twitter, so im waiting for ur next post..
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I’m not convinced Twitter is a viable business solution (yet). I have many followers and I update relatively frequently, but it’s more fun than business. - Colleen
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first time ever heard about unofficial terms of Twitter Twisticuffs, Twitterrheart, Tweetheart. As i beginner looking for more post on Twitter.
First of all great guide for beginners in twitter, I think twitter has set a new innovation in the internet world, but honestly I am not sure what we will see for the future for twitter. I am thinking we might see twitter evolve.
Till then,
Jean
Hi Sue, Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed the “The Art and Science of Retweeting for Twitteraholics by Blogging Bits”. And would Highly recommend it to anyone interested.
Interesting post. Thanks for guidance about twitter. I will following twitter to you.
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Companies are even now starting to use twitter to broadcast their messages to their employees. It’s amazing how such a simple idea has caught on like this.
Facing very problem to use twitter actually confused how to use for business purpose but given link source little helpful to get understand batter.
Thanks for explaining twitter and for linking to all this nice resources. A beginner like me sure needs this. keep up the good work!
Daniel
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You may consider linking
Twitter vocabulary for newbies at
http://techack.blogspot.com/2009/06/twitter-vocabulary-for-newbies.html
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Its good infomation regarding twiiter for beginners.
Macbeth was probably my favorite play by Shakespeare. There have been several comedic retakes at Shakespeare novels using “modern” language. I wonder what Shakespeare himself would tweet. LOL
-Randy
The Big Juicy Twitter Guide,eh? That might just get me tweetin’ like the the pro I know I can one day be. I’ve been slow to catch onto the rage altho I do have a few followers.
Glad to Stumble Upon your blog.
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