Leetspeak
Leetspeak, or leet, is a form of stylized written language that substitutes digits, symbols, or visually similar letters for standard Latin characters. The practice emerged in early online communities, particularly among bulletin board systems and hacker circles, as a way to bypass simple text filters and to signal membership in a tech-savvy subculture.
Common substitutions include 4 for A, 0 for O, 1 for I or L, 3 for E,
Usage has evolved with online culture. Leetspeak originated as obfuscation or code to evade filters and to
Critics note that leetspeak can hinder readability and may be perceived as childish or pretentious. It offers