Signoffia

Signoffia is a term used in the study of online communication to describe the set of practices, norms, and linguistic patterns that govern the closing portions of digital interactions. The concept treats sign-offs as communicative acts that convey stance, social relation, and closure rather than mere pleasantries. Etymology: the coinage combines “sign off” with the -ia suffix common in scholarly terms to denote a field or phenomenon.

Origins and scope: The term emerged in discourse-analytic and internet-linguistics literature in the 2010s and 2020s as researchers sought to categorize how users end messages across platforms such as email, forums, and chat apps. Signoffia distinguishes between formal, informal, and ritualized closings, and notes that closings can include explicit summaries, polite formulas, signatures, and emojis.

Variation and usage: Across communities, platform conventions shape signoff styles. Professional settings often require explicit action items or formal closings; informal communities favor warmth, humor, and personalization. Signoffia recognizes the role of language, tone, and culture in closing messages and the way sign-offs can influence perceived accountability and friendliness.

Criticism and relevance: Researchers discuss whether sign-offs are performative or functional, and how standardized closings can affect accessibility for non-native speakers or newcomers.

See also: Online etiquette, closing formulas, discourse analysis.