Slashtag

Slashtags are a set of short community-created conventions for attributing information on Twitter, also called microsyntax.^[1] They are designed to be succinct and provide an easy way to provide metadata about a tweet, especially when "retweeting".

History

Slashtags were introduced by Chris Messina and given their moniker by Chris Blow.^[2][3]

Usage

A slashtag is preceded by the "/" character (called a slasher). It is stated that after the initial slash, the slasher is not required for subsequent slashtags. Slashtags normally appear at the end of a tweet.

Current slashtags

• by^[4]
• cc,^[5] for,^[6] tip^[7]
• thx,^[8] ty
• hat tip,^[9] ht, via^[10]
• oh^[11]

Examples

These are example tweets with fictitious Twitter usernames to show how to use Slashtags.

• Here is something I think everyone would find useful: <URL> /cc @someInterestedParty
• Something someone else said. /by @thePersonWhoSaidIt
• RT @OriginalSource Retweeted text. /via @3rdPartyYouHeardItFrom
• I stand corrected. The info you want is here <URL> /thx @PersonWhoInformedYou

References

1. Chris Messina. "microsyntax / Slashtags". Microsyntax wiki. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
2. "FactoryCity » New microsyntax for Twitter: three pointers and the slasher". Factoryjoe.com. 2009-09-24. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
3. "'Slashtags' for citizen editors". Chris Blow Unthinkingly blog. November 9, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-11-12.
4. Chris Messina. "microsyntax / by". Microsyntax wiki. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
5. Chris Messina. "microsyntax / cc". Microsyntax wiki. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
6. Chris Messina. "microsyntax / for". Microsyntax wiki. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
7. Chris Messina. wiki/tip "microsyntax / tip" Check |url= value (help). Microsyntax wiki. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
8. Chris Messina. "microsyntax / thx". Microsyntax wiki. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
9. Chris Messina. "microsyntax / hat tip". Microsyntax wiki. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
10. Chris Messina. "microsyntax / via". Microsyntax wiki. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
11. Chris Messina. "microsyntax / OH". Microsyntax wiki. Retrieved 2013-12-30.