Definition:
An inflammatory Internet post that corrects the spelling in another post, usually as a way of attacking the writer rather than responding to the writer's point.
As E. S. Raymond points out in The New Hacker's Dictionary, "It's an amusing comment on human nature that spelling flames themselves often contain spelling errors."
See also:
Examples and Observations:
- XYZ: This can happen Only in AMERICA! What a puritan country. Seriously. It is his life, his success, his failure. Have he hurt your feelings?
Anonymous: you are too stupid to spell, so you are too stupid to answer. . . .
(exchange on the forum of Godlikeproductions.com, Feb. 19, 2010) - "'Spelling flame' is a new term for an old phenomenon: outraged arguments about correct language usage. When someone criticizes the spelling or grammar, rather than the argument, of another participant in a discussion group on the Internet, the resulting torrent of acrimonious messages--the spelling flame--often derails the original discussion completely. One reason for the strong emotions that swirl around language use, even in the age of spell-checkers, is that people feel their identity is reflected in their language."
(M. Fee and J. McAlpine, Guide to Canadian English Usage, 2nd ed. Oxford Univ. Press, 2007) - Cuen: Ive been in this bussines for a long time and belive me ive seen it the other way around . . ..
MessyONE: You can't even spell "business".
(exchange on the forum at Slate, Oct. 29, 2009) - "Everyone was a network newbie once. So when someone makes a mistake--whether it's a spelling error or a spelling flame, a stupid question or an unnecessarily long answer--be kind about it. If it's a minor error, you may not need to say anything. Even if you feel strongly about it, think twice before reacting."
(B. Koops et al., Starting Points for ICT Regulation. MIT, 2006)
