nom de clavier

English

Etymology

Coined in English from French nom (“name”) + de (“of”) + clavier (“keyboard”), by analogy with nom de plume.

Pronunciation

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Noun

nom de clavier (plural noms de clavier)

1. (Internet, humorous) A pseudonym used in online communications; a handle.
   • 2002 September 18, Padraig Breathnach, “Re: Introducing myself”, in alt.usage.english‎^[1] (Usenet):

     Then we have people who use a nom de clavier, but whose real names are known to many of us.

   • 2003 April 21, Michael Dix, “Re: Sox fans just bloodthirsty?”, in chi.general‎^[2] (Usenet):

     So is Whet Moser simply a nom de clavier? There seems to be a real Marooner by that name (different bio from Mo's).

   • 2004 February 20, Bob Cunningham, “Re: The business of America is Halliburton”, in alt.usage.english‎^[3] (Usenet):

     In fact, Dejagoogle finds 27 hits with me posting under that nom de clavier between November 2001 and December 2002.

   • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:nom de clavier.

Synonyms

• handle, nom de Web (informal), username