[Air-l] Re: Flame Wars

[Waxman, Mickey B]

> Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002 15:31:47 -0500
> From: Christian Nelson <cnelson at comm.umass.edu>
> Subject: Re: [Air-l] Re: Flame Wars
> Nancy's reflections make me wonder why there is even such a 
> term as "flame" and "flame war"--a question that might be
> answered in part by the history of this term. Anyone know
> how these terms initially arose in discourse re: CMC?
> Thanks, for any info.

How about a guess?  
The custom used to be that a writer would be writing on a topic and then, to
warn the readers or just to make it clear that strong emotion attached to
upcoming words, would write <FLAME ON>.  E.g.:

"... and while we're on the subject...  <FLAME ON> What Makes Him Think 640k
Is All I Need?!!!"

What followed a Flame On was usually an expression of anger or frustration
or it might be an attack. 
There used to be a popular comic book (Marvel Comics?) superhero gang
(Fantastic Four?) one of whose members was a quick-tempered guy who used
fire to combat evil.  In times of crisis he'd invoke the flames by saying
FLAME ON and then his whole body would light up or he could throw fireballs
or point his finger and become a flamethrower or something like that --- I
really don't remember. He'd also light up involuntarily when he got angry,
if I recall correctly.

So that's the legend, I think:  Comic book, <Flame On>, Flames, Flaming,
Flame Wars.  

Does that help?

..Mickey

Mickey Waxman
University of Kansas
USA