World of Warcraft: A Language and Terminology Reference

World of Warcraft isn't just any other game like Tetris or Solitaire...there are things you should know, in particular the language and terminology spoken by the players.

Let's go over some common terminology used in the World of Warcraft. People that play the World of Warcraft have their own language, and it's good to start learning before you enter their world so you can communicate efficiently.

General Abbreviated Terms

"LFG" - An abbreviation for the term Looking For Group, players will use this when they are trying to find a group for a dungeon. It's usually followed with the name of the dungeon, such as "LFG Arcatraz."

"LFM" - A term used when players are trying to fill the last spots in their group. Translates to "Looking For More", and is often followed by how many of what class they need for an optimal group for the dungeon or quest they are doing. You might see something like this; "LF1M DPS/CC Arcatraz."

"DPS" - An abbreviation for "Damage Per Second." This can be used in a variety of context, but most often describes several of the different classes/builds in the game. Warlocks, rogues, mages, and hunters are most often referred to as DPS classes, however more and more players are revolutionizing other hybrid classes, trying to get them to become "true DPS" classes; like fury warriors, feral druids, and retribution paladins.

"CC" - Also known as "Crowd Control." People use this term in reference with classes that can literally control other players or monsters in the game. For example, a priests mind control, a mages frost nova or polymorph, or a warlock with their seduce are all forms of crowd control. CC is great in making a hard dungeon much easier by reducing the damage taken to the group and increasing their survivability.

"Lag" - An issue with either the players internet connection, latency, or the game itself which makes game play really suck! Players that experience lag will usually have a very hard time playing, and their game will often "freeze" momentarily, and at the worst times usually killing them or preventing them from doing something important.

"Noob" - Probably the term that is used MOST in the World of Warcraft. This refers to a player who is new to the game and doesn't know what they're doing. It's also used to simply spite people. The term can also take variations, such as n00b, nub, nob, etc.

"Tank" - A term that describes classes that serve as the meat shield in a group dungeon or raid. Tanks are essential to ALL groups and raids as they should be the only ones getting hit by monsters so that the damage taken is reduced efficiently and other players can kill them.

"JC" - Describes a Jewel Crafter, a profession in the World of Warcraft.

"BS" - Describes a Black Smith, a profession in the World of Warcraft.

"TBC" - A term describing the expansion to the game that came out in January 2007, The Burning Crusade.

"WotLC" - A term describing the second expansion that will be coming sometime in the future, Wrath of the Lich King.

Dungeon Abbreviations and Terms

"Instance" - A term describing a dungeon or raid which requires going through an instance portal to get to.

"Raid" - Any instance that requires more than five players to complete, or any player party that has more than five players in it.

"CoT" - Caverns of Time, a zone in Tanaris which currently consists of three different instances.

"OHB" - Old Hillsbrad Foothills, a 5-man dungeon in the Caverns of Time.

"BM" - The Black Morass, a 5-man dungeon in the Caverns of Time.

"BT" - Black Temple, a raid zone in Shadowmoon Valley

"TK" - Tempest Keep, can refer to either the three 5-man dungeons, or the larger 25-man raid instance.

"The Eye" - The 25-man raid zone in TK.

"Arc" - The Arcatraz, a 5-man dungeon in TK.

"Bot" - The Botanica, a 5-man dungeon in TK.

"Mech" - The Mechanar, a 5-man dungeon in TK.

"SSC" - Serpent Shrine Cavern, a 25-man dungeon in the Coilfang Reservoir.

"SP" - The Slave Pens, a 5-man dungeon in the Coilfang Reservoir.

"UB" - The Under Bog, a 5-man dungeon in the Coilfang Reservoir.

"SV" - The Steam Vaults, a 5-man dungeon in the Coilfang Reservoir.

City, Town, and Area Abbreviations

"IF" - Ironforge, one of the main capital cities of the Alliance.

"Org" - Orgrimmar, one of the main capital cities of the Horde.

"Shatt" - Shattrah City, the largest city in Outlands which contains portals to the eight main cities in Azeroth.

"SW" - Stormwind, one of the capital cities of the Alliance.

"Darn" - Darnassus, one of the capital cities of the Alliance.

"UC" - Undercity, one of the capital cities of the Horde.

"TB" - Thunder Bluff, one of the capital cities of the Horde.

"SMV" - Shadowmoon Valley, a level 68-70 Zone in the Outlands.

All the terms listed above are the main terms you'll see when in the World of Warcraft, feel free to book mark this and use it as a reference guide if you're a new player and get lost, but don't want to ask other players and seem like a noob!