What was your first AIM screen name?
The easiest way to uncover how weird everyone was in middle school
Regardless of what your middle school self was up to as you signed into your AIM account, you always signed in with that one name you so cleverly thought of upon embarking on the adventure of online chatting.
Coming up with your screen name was hard work. It had to say something about you, but not too much. It had to be cool, but not too try hard. It had to be original, but not too strange. It had to be perfect.
Because you put so much effort into them, The Tab decided to delve into the middle school lives of your fellow Yalies by asking about their old screen names.
The athletes
These people lived and breathed whatever sport was most popular at school, and they wanted you to know it. Gym class try hards for life.
Fruitylaxer96 – “Fruity” adds a nice touch of originality and girliness to that athlete life you’ve got going on there. Also fruit and sports? Kudos to you for being the healthiest 13-year-old out there.
Sportslv4eva – Who needs a boyfriend? Who needs a girlfriend? Sports are the only love you need – your one true soulmate.
Banditballer213 – Baseball? Basketball? Robber? Who knows. Nothing says “instant message me” like that combination of mystery and athleticism.
The cuties
The girls (or boys) who wanted everyone to know just how sweet and nice they were. Nothing better than that free-spirited middle schooler – am I right?
Osocute387 – How cute are you? Oh so cute. I bet you have all those boys instant messaging you and you don’t hesitate to flirt back.
Xosummerlovin29 – Hugs and kisses and summer and love is all that any girl needs.
Peacegirl899 – Hippie or cliché? Not sure, but I know if you could have one wish, it would be world peace. Definitely.
The animal lovers
Then there are the animal maniacs – those utterly obsessed with a certain creature that lives in a collage all over their computer desktop.
Koalaman327 – Please tell me you have an Australian accent. Or you’re discretely looking for an Australian man. Either way, I’m sure you’ve seen many koalas in your lifetime.
Duckieluver6985 – You thoroughly enjoy a day at the pond feeding bread to ducks because there is really no sound better than that of endless “quacking.”
The super fans
They may have been fans of pretty random and weird things, but you’ve got to hand it to them – it isn’t everyday that one finds passions like these.
Shootermcgavin17 – Can’t go wrong with a movie reference, especially not Happy Gilmore. Maybe a slight hint that you’d be down for some Netflix and chill? Impressive – very ahead of the times.
Europeanswallow3 – This name might be more interesting without context. For the purpose of middle school innocence, I’ll add it was (apparently) a Monty Python reference. Is this a cover-up? TBD.
Greenroom300 – “I had a green room.” I’m just going to let this one slide.
MarksG4lyfe – This girl was “Mark’s girl for life” until her parents found out and made her change her screen name. Apparently, another meaning of “for life” is “one year.” And now he’s a druggie. Tough break, Mark.
The Tab proposes a motion to change all Instagram and Twitter handles to AIM screen names. Who’s with us?