aboutoftopic

Aboutoftopic is a neologism used in online discussion spaces to label content that is tangential or unrelated to the central subject of a thread or conversation. It is not an official term in most languages but appears in informal moderation notes and community discussions.

Etymology: The term appears to be a blend of “about” and “off-topic,” indicating that the remark concerns something other than the defined topic. It occurs in online communities that prefer precise labels for topic management but lacks formal standardization.

Usage: Moderators or participants may write “aboutoftopic” to flag a comment. Example sentence: “This point is aboutoftopic; please stay on the thread topic.” It can be used to gently steer conversation back on track without hostility and serves as a mild corrective label rather than a reprimand.

Reception and scope: The term is uncommon and may be confusing outside communities familiar with it. Many forums use “off-topic” or “derailment” instead. In some contexts, “aboutoftopic” is used humorously or self-referentially, reflecting a shared in-group vocabulary rather than widespread adoption.

See also: Off-topic, Derailment, Moderation.