Are we sure semantics matter as much as actions? Particularly in the following example...
I witnessed something in an OOC channel where a player talked about their roleplayed interactions with another player, particularly in a negative light. The response of other participants in the conversation was to use the IC details to reinforce a negative image of the OOC player who was being discussed, who was incidentally absent from the channel in question. Because the character was being portrayed as misogynist and abusive, comments were made about the player, who was by extension also deemed misogynist and abusive. Scathing insults were made, making very potent remarks about the IRL personality of the player, down to forever single masturbation remarks and invoking tumblr social justice nonsense about male privilege.
In light of that outlined behaviour, discussion of terminology usage as outlined in the OP is secondary. I really don't see how defending that sort of behaviour as "natural socialization" fixes anything; by every right can that be called a "circlejerk" of the worst kind. If we want to see the term "circlejerk" stricken off the records, then these social circles should not be behaving as such in the first place.
[mod]Do not use Backstage to settle disagreements. Do not break Rule 3 just because 'you think you're right'. None of the Backstage mods care what terms you use when communicating elsewhere, but on these forums the use of derogatory language about other players is not acceptable. [/mod]
