L33t. Give it up, move on.

The world of l33t is extremely passé. I know this as it's now being totally over used and it's not really that clever.

Microsoft (link) is actually writing guides on how to talk to your l33ting children. There's even going to be a l33t language version of Windows coming out soon.

All good examples that this is over. L33t associates you with the script-kiddy part of the internet. The people trying to be cool that aren't really. Hiding behind a linguistic form of communication but who don't have that much to say. A moniker of identity rather than use.

Hell, it's not even strictly an abbreviated language, although l33t tarred phrases like 'lol' or 'afk' have a purpose (they show linguistic progression and evolution that pre-dates l33t). Pure l33t is merely an uncool slang.

After Microsoft hammered a few nails in the coffin I began noticing companies l33t-ifying themselves as well. Our work kitchen consists of a vending machine called 'Selecta', a coffee machine called 'Flavia' and a water cooler called 'Aqua Spa'. I don't know what's worse, the contraction or the fact these companies spent MILLIONS on arriving at those names. Watch our for 'S313<74', 'F14V14' and '4qu4 $p4' coming your way soon.

I have a lot of time for cultural variations in language. Expression through various linguistic forms. L33ts very origin however is undermined by the mainstream and very much on the way out.

If you want to follow a social trend, come up with something else.