Hi Welcome

[Vindraxx]

As a newcomer to DDO, I've been doing my fair share of browsing the forums over the past two months. I've come across the phrase "Hi Welcome" and the many (apparently incorrect) variations of it in many places. I was wondering what the history of how this saying came into being (if it is still known/remembered) and why the punctation/capitalization is so particular.

And because I'm sure I'm setting myself up for this one...

Hi Welcome

[systemstate]

Haha, I doubt "Hi Welcome"-ing yourself will prevent you from being "Hi Welcome"ed by others.

I am curious on the back story as well though.

[Asketes]

at least he punctuated it correctely!


welcome, hi!

[AyumiAmakusa]

No one will tell you the story. It's part of an inside-joke.

[stainer]

No one will tell you the story. It's part of an inside-joke.

No

It has been discussed.

[KKDragonLord]

Arkat started using this sentence liberally to "welcome" posts made by newcomers and/or noobs whenever they made a thread that was made of Fail by the clear lack of experience or... forethought with regards to the game as it is.

So if for example someone ever created a thread about Mounts in DDO for example, it would be most likely "Hi Welcomed" because it is a suggestion commonly attributed to new players who expect this game to be like "some other game that shall not be named". Many other occasions apply.

[Sweyn]

hI!!!, weLcOmE!!!!

[Arkat]

hI!!!, weLcOmE!!!!

Fail

Hola Bienvenido

Win

[Montrose]

Hmm, this is the earliest mention I've been able to find. Anyone got an older thread?

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=186560

[AyumiAmakusa]

Arkat started using this sentence liberally to "welcome" posts made by newcomers and/or noobs whenever they made a thread that was made of Fail by the clear lack of experience or... forethought with regards to the game as it is.

So if for example someone ever created a thread about Mounts in DDO for example, it would be most likely "Hi Welcomed" because it is a suggestion commonly attributed to new players who expect this game to be like "some other game that shall not be named". Many other occasions apply.

That's the reason I got out of it.

[iamsamoth0]

therefor I am welcome.
These forums are just right some days.

[stazer]

Shouldnt Arkat's title be changed to "ddo Greeter" or something along those lines...

maybe "hospitality specialist" or "Mount Lover"...wait...not that last one...

am I going to get Hi welcomed for this?

[Ashurr]

am I going to get Hi welcomed for this?

Yes


Kon'nichiwa,-yō koso

[Ashurr]

In the words of my Master -

"The meaning changes can be somewhat subtle/ephemeral so you'll really have to base whether you should use it or not more or less on gut instinct. Or rather, the readers of your post will have to interpret your meaning more or less on gut instinct. Hi Welcome must ALWAYS follow the proper form. Otherwise, it's meaning is lost. "

[AyumiAmakusa]

Yes


Kon'nichiwa,-yō koso

Fail

Yes


Kon'nichiwa Irasshai

Win

[Arkat]

Ok, now that we've gotten that out of the way...

Here's the history of Hi Welcome Vindraxx:

Hi Welcome was first used in the DDO Forums way back on June 13th, 2009 in the Argonnessen forums by Milamber69. In the same thread Milamber69 posted it, other Argonites also used it. In the link below, note Tabun's form - probably the first time it was used in the correct form. HeavenlyCloud picked it up and then Raegoul picked it up immediately thereafter and ran with it, using it in its current, correct form - Hi Welcome exclusively.

There is some debate as to who was actually the originator as it could have been used in-game chat between certain AoK members before its actual first appearance in the Forums.

EDIT: According to Raegoul...

Some things you should add is that it was first used verbally and it is said as it is punctuated with a flat tone used for both words. It was used to greet people joining the group and repeated in the same way as each person joined more specifically in raids. The more people that said it in the same fashion the funnier it became for everyone else. CREDIT must go to Milamber69 for its creation and common use. Everyone should PM him a thank you for creating such a valuable phrase.

Indeed, as I suspected, it started in in-game chat. Please make sure you guys PM Milamber69 as Raegoul suggested.


Anyway, here's the link to the meme's first appearance in the DDO forums:

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php...85#post2237185

(Note the primitive incorrect form; also scroll down for other Argonites' usage of it)


Here's the first time HeavenlyCloud and Raegoul ever used Hi Welcome:

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php...04#post2258604


After a few months, it started to catch on. Raegoul started its common use but a few of us really started to run with it. I started using the meme in a different language (Spanish) - Hola Bienvenido. Strakeln wrote it backwards - Emocle Wih. Emili started writing it in Irish Ghaelic and others have translated it into French - Bonjour Bienvenue and Chinese - Ni Hao HuanYing. Other languages have been used as well.

When I first noticed the meme, I saw Raegoul using it and thought it was quite clever in its simplicity. The form was simple and elegant but its meaning was somewhat elusive to those who wished to put it into words. To get a grasp of its concept, you really need to have an intuitive understanding instead of a firm one. You either "know" when to use it or you don't.

So, Raegoul started to really use it. I picked it up and so did others. The problem was the others who picked it up may have gotten the idea of when to use it but they rarely used the proper form which is where I really come into the picture. Besides having used the meme in different languages first, I am the one who is MOST responsible for seeing that it is written correctly.

Just to review the form quickly, it should always be written with a capital H and a capital W. No punctuation is permissable either. It should always be written - Hi Welcome and no other way. If you're writing it in another language (and assuming the language has capital letters), only the first letter of each word should be capitalized and again no punctuation is used. The lone exception to the "only the first latter in each word is capitalized" rule is for the Chinese form not written in characters. In this case Ni Hao HuanYing is correct. This is due to a peculiarity of the Chinese language.

While I have done the MOST corrections, it is quite gratifying to see others are picking up the ball and doing it as well.

As to it's meaning, while KKDragonLord has made an attempt to quantify it above, it is much more than that. Some would call it a "slam" or some sort of "snarky" reply. While that can be true it is much more subtle than that. It's meaning is more of a feeling than anything else. How can one possibly define Love adequately? They can't, of course, and likewise, no one can adequately define Hi Welcome

As I said previously, you either have the intuition necessary to grasp its meaning and use it in correct situations or you don't. I suppose some (those without the intial intuitive grasp of it) have figured it out eventually but they most likely observed its use over a long period of time and in a large number of posts. Some have never "gotten" it and probably never will.

Good luck on your quest.

[AyumiAmakusa]

Arkat explained it pretty well.

[iamsamoth0]

Wikipedia is next.
I'd offer but my grammar and punctuation sux..!
+1 Arkat(Virtual for now)

[Vindraxx]

Thanks for the informative reply Arkat, I'm always fascinated in how customs and traditions get started and I saw Hi Welcome as something unique to DDO. I appreciate you taking the time to write it all out. +1

[Arkat]

I just updated my post with some links and some minor edits. Enjoy.