adjective Gaming Slang

1337

/lit/ · adjective · slang

The number-spelling of 'leet' (elite) and the name of the whole letter-for-numeral substitution alphabet.

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Definitions

1

A way of writing 'leet' (from 'elite') using lookalike numerals: 1=l/i, 3=e, 7=t. It marks someone as highly skilled, especially at gaming or hacking.

“He pulled off a 1337 no-scope across the whole map.”
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2

By extension, the name for the entire substitution cipher itself, where letters are swapped for numbers and symbols.

“The clan tag was written in pure 1337 so half the lobby couldn't read it.”
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3

Used ironically or affectionately to mock try-hard internet posturing, since the style now reads as dated.

“His gamer tag is still in 1337 like it's 2003.”
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1337 In A Sentence

Only a 1337 player clears that boss deathless.
She signs every forum post in 1337 out of nostalgia.
The Easter egg name was hidden in 1337 inside the credits.

Origin & Usage

Coined on 1990s gaming and BBS networks as a numeric respelling of 'leet'/'elite'; the substitution style itself traces to 1980s bulletin-board users dodging word filters. The exact first use is undocumented and likely emerged independently in several communities.

Variants leetl33t1337 5p34k
Tags #leet#1337#gaming#internet#digital#hacker

People Also Ask

What does 1337 mean?

It spells 'leet', short for 'elite' — meaning skilled or top-tier, especially at gaming or hacking.

Why use numbers instead of letters?

The digits resemble the letters (1=l, 3=e, 7=t) and originally helped evade automated word filters on early BBS systems.

Is 1337 still used seriously?

Rarely. Today it is mostly ironic or nostalgic, though '1337' as a number remains an in-joke (e.g. port 1337).

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