When Merriam-Webster named “w00t” its 2007 word of the year, a cultural phenomenon went legit. The formal acceptance of the two-letter, two-number word signaled a crossover of Internet-based language into popular teen culture.

“W00t,” pronounced “woot,” is an expression of joy, and it is one of many words used in a secretive online language called “leet speak.”

For years, video gamers and computer hackers have used this written language to communicate online in code — literally an elite (thus, “leet”) vocabulary often used to bypass censors. Now, it is becoming a defining aspect of a generation brought up on the Internet.

Leet can take many forms, said New Technology High School sophomore Justin Legros, a frequent user of leet speak. Letters are replaced by numbers and symbols, such as 3 for e, and 1 for l. “Leet” itself can be written as “l33t,” “1337” or “31337,” depending on the level of difficulty.

Gamer vocabulary has also found its way into the language. Common words include “pwn,” pronounced “own,” which means to dominate an opponent. “N00b,” as in “newbie,” is a common put-down among teens. “The” is often deliberately misspelled as “teh,” and used to add emphasis.

Legros said he uses leet for gaming, chatting online and bypassing word censors and search filters.

For New Tech sophomore Andrew Horobin, leet speak “tends to be a fun thing to do randomly.”

“If I’m acting very excited or something on an online forum, I’ll use it there,” he said, “or maybe if I want to confuse someone I’m talking to while instant messaging, I’ll use it then.”

Kids can also use leet to communicate in a way that parents and adults won’t understand. “I know parents and adults don’t get it,” said Horobin, adding, “My parents don’t have any idea what I’m talking about.”

Leet “is still underground,” said Legros. “However, more and more n00bs are trying to learn it to be accepted, so the language is becoming less used for secrets and more for expression.”

While Legros said most kids who use leet are boys, and usually considered “computer nerds,” the trend is gaining popularity with all teenagers. Even teens who have never heard of leet are likely to understand at least some of its vocabulary, he said.

“So many people use those words, everyone knows what it means,” said Napa High sophomore Jono Weir. “Even if you’ve never heard of (leet) before, you’re going to know what ‘pwned’ means.”

The language is “universal,” said New Tech senior Alexander Kissinger. As opposed to regular slang that varies from region to region, leet can be understood by all teenagers who spend time online.

And it’s not just used online. Leet has become an integral part of teen’s spoken language.

Instead of laughing, Horobin will sometimes say “Lol,” which stands for “laughing out loud.” He’ll say “ZOMG” (“Oh my god,” with a “z” for emphasis) “when I see something cool.”

“The whole cyber world has been brought into reality,” said Kissinger.

Joshua Husted, a sophomore at New Tech, said it’s no surprise that a generation that grew up online would develop a language based on the Internet. “It’s a generational thing,” he said, and is “incorporated in teen culture because we use it every day.”

Travis Gilliland, a senior at New Tech, said that by creating “a whole new vocabulary,” teenagers have “made our own little thing for our generation.”

“Kids will form their own civilization in leet speak,” said Horobin. “It’s already pretty much happening on the Internet.”

Adults had better catch on quick if they want to get by in this increasingly technological culture, said Alan Humphreys, a freshman at New Tech. “Only people who understand the 21st century will survive in the 21st century,” he said.

“We old folks better watch out, because these kids will be running the world,” said Tom Solberg, New Tech assistant principal. “If we don’t keep up with the vernacular train, it will mow us down.”

“Did our parents say the same thing (adults do now)?” asked Solberg. “It’s the decline of civilization,” he laughed. “It’s that disco music!”

Horobin believes the linguistic evolution among teenagers is more than just a trend. “It’s incredibly obvious that kids and their attitudes have changed over time,” he said, “and (leet) seems to be just another thing to emphasize that fact.”

Levels of leet

English: “Kids will form their own civilization in leet speak.”

Leet: “k1D2 W1Ll ph0R|\/| 7H31R 0w|\| C1\/1l124710|\| 1|\|  L337 5p34K”

Advanced leet: “|<1|)2 \|/1|_|_ |>|-|0R|\/| T|-|31r 0\|/|\| (1\/1l124T10|\| 1|\|  l33T 5|>33|<”