Every community has its own language, and your first few visits can feel like decoding a secret message. Here’s the key. This glossary covers the terms you’ll see most on Intrigue Chat, from everyday chat slang to the crests next to people’s names and the vocabulary of role play and kink.
Everyday chat terms
- PM: private message, a one-to-one conversation. Chat in the room and ask before you send one.
- Room: a themed chat space. Ours are Intrigue Bar And Lounge and The Keep.
- Room topic: the message shown when you enter a room, with its mood and any room rules.
- Regular: someone who visits often. Every regular was new once.
- Flooding: posting too much, too fast (messages, GIFs, emojis or caps lock) so nobody else can be heard.
- Spam: repeated messages or advertising. Against the House Rules.
- Caps: typing in capitals, which reads as shouting.
Crests and staff
- Crest: the badge next to every name in Intrigue, showing someone’s role.
- Inner Circle: the Owner, Second in Command, Leadership Admin and Leadership Apprentice, who run the site.
- Room Keepers: the staff who look after the rooms.
- Advisors: members who help with community, events and the look of the site.
- Guest: someone who’s come in with just a username, gender and age.
- Member: someone with a registered account.
- VIP: a paid upgrade with extra features, such as sending gifts.
- Intrigue+: a free upgrade for VIP members whose own room has been approved.
Site features
- The bar: where you order virtual drinks or send them to someone. Some are free and some cost Gold.
- Gold: virtual currency for gifts and some bar drinks.
- Rubies: virtual currency for changing your name.
- Friends list: the people you get on with, kept in one place.
- Block: stop someone contacting you.
- Report: flag a rule breach to staff. Every report is reviewed.
Moderation terms
- Warning: a recorded caution for repeated or more serious behaviour.
- Mute: a temporary block on posting.
- Kick: removal from a room for a short break.
- Ban: removal from the site, temporary or permanent.
- Ban evasion: using a new account or a VPN to get around a mute, kick or ban. It gets every account you own banned.
Role play terms
- OOC: out of character. A note from you, not your character, usually in brackets.
- Scene: a role play session.
- Turns: each person writes their character’s actions and dialogue in turn.
Kink terms
- BDSM: an umbrella term covering Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, and Sadism and Masochism.
- Dom / Domme: the person who takes control.
- sub: the person who gives up control.
- Switch: someone who enjoys both roles.
- Dynamic: the agreed relationship between people who play together.
- Hard limit / soft limit: things someone won’t do, or will only do with care.
- Safe word: a word that pauses or stops a scene immediately.
- SSC / RACK: Safe, Sane and Consensual / Risk-Aware Consensual Kink.
- Aftercare: the care and reassurance given after a scene.
Everyone in a scene is an adult, always. Role playing as a minor is against the House Rules. The Keep is our room for BDSM and kink conversation, and the best place to ask about any of these terms.
Safety terms
- Catfish: someone pretending to be a different person.
- Doxing: sharing someone’s personal details without permission. Banned on Intrigue Chat.
- Sextortion: threatening to share intimate images unless someone pays or sends more.
- GreenCharge Inc.: the name VIP charges appear under on your statement, so a chat site’s name never does.
Frequently asked questions
What does PM mean?
Private message, a one-to-one conversation. Ask before you send one.
What do the crests mean?
They show someone’s role. The Inner Circle runs the site, Room Keepers look after the rooms, Advisors help with community, and members are Guest, Member, VIP or Intrigue+.
What does OOC mean?
Out of character, used in role play to talk as yourself rather than your character.
What is flooding?
Posting so much, so fast, that you drown out everyone else. It’s against the House Rules.
Related guides
- Our beginner’s guide.
- Our guide to ranks, VIP and Intrigue+.
- Our guide to consent in online kink chat.
- Our guide to The Keep, our BDSM and kink room.
Keep the mystery. Lose the drama. Join Intrigue Chat, pick a name, and say hello in Intrigue Bar And Lounge when you’re ready.