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"GG" as a faux pas?

Razzola·4/16/2015, 3:26:00 PM·15 votes·1,679 views

Have you ever thought that the phrase "gg" has become a very inappropriate phrase in most situations? While many people argue that the act of saying "gg" is a show of good sportsmanship, I would argue that very seldom is the phrase used as such. It is actually arguably and ironically a show of bad sportsmanship.

If we look at the explicit meaning of "gg" or "good game," one would simply infer the meaning as "this was a good game." However, there are many more deeper, implied meanings of "gg / good game" that are derived from the contextual factors of when it is said.

For instance, when your team is losing horribly in the beginning of the game, saying "gg surrender at 20" does not mean, "This was a great game! But I think we should surrender at 20." Rather, simply put, it means "We lose." And it has a negative air to it rather than a positive--i.e. the implicit meaning. On the same token, people on the winning team who say "gg" prior to the enemy team actually losing are likely meaning "Ha. We win." It is no wonder that the phrase "gg ez" has been coined because the two go hand in hand. In this case, "gg ez" means "Ha. We win. And it was effortless."

While you may agree with me that both of those situations are inappropriate applications of the term "gg," where we might differ is when "gg" is said at the end of the game--when the losing team has actually lost. In my opinion, I believe that when the winning team says "gg" first, they are committing a faux pas. I feel it is only appropriate for the winning team to say "gg" if a member of the losing team has said it first. Otherwise, it comes off the same way as when the winning team says it way in advance. It comes off as synonymous with "I win." Because when I personally see someone on the winning team say "gg" after our team surrenders at 20, I think two things: 1. Yea, it was a good game...FOR YOU. and 2. How was this a good game? Do you legitimately think we played well? For pete's sake, we surrendered at 20 minutes... Thus, I believe this situation is also inappropriate.

In my humble opinion, I believe there is only one appropriate place for the phrase "gg" to be uttered by the winning team, and that is AFTER the losing team has said it. If the losing team has admitted that it was a good game for them, then it becomes appropriate for the winning team to say so as well. Otherwise, it comes off a bit boastful.

Personally, I like to lose my games in complete silence.

Do you folks agree / disagree?

69 Comments

Eleshakai4/16/2015, 4:11:33 PM7 votes

When I say GG, what I mean is "Thank you for a good game everyone".

If I'm saying 'it's over' I say 'well, that's game there' and then I'll say 'gg' afterwards meaning... thank you for a good game everyone. lol

And I consider EVERY game to be good, because every game was a chance for me to learn more. Every game was a chance for me to improve. And every game is fun, because if it weren't I wouldn't be playing.

Jubbinaut4/16/2015, 5:36:06 PM4 votes

Op, even though I disagree with you (I sense a touch of negativity bias), I'm offering upvotes for your use of faux pas (and correct spelling, too!).

That said, here's my thoughts on the matter:

Most of the time when players say "gg," it's nothing more than a verbal handshake - not unlike those forced on teams in kids sports. The literal definition, I think, actually obscures that. It's less about whether it was a "good game," and more a way of offering at least respect for the opposing team.

This is why the only time I don't offer a "gg" - regardless of who wins - is if members of the enemy team were being jerks (constant emote spam, all-chat digs, and the like). The animosity they engender kills the respect I would usually offer.

All of this is not to say that it's never misused. But I suspect it's more often mis-interpreted than misused.

warpenguin5554/16/2015, 3:34:21 PM2 votes

yes and no. saying GG at the end of a game is fine, but GG we lost ff @ 20 is being an ass

GroundRuleDouble4/16/2015, 4:04:35 PM2 votes

There are many times when it's okay to say "gg", even if you are the winning team. A 50 minute long game that was back and forth and I end up winning, it's okay if I say "gg" first. However, in the context of League, "gg" no longer means "good game" but it means "the game is over." And I HATE IT!!!! I hate after about 10 minutes, we are doubled in kills, and a teammate saying "it's gg". They are not saying "it's a good game." They are saying "the game is over." I hate it. That's not what "gg" means. "GG" means "good game" and nothing else. I'm glad to see that it bugs someone else.

Karlyr4/16/2015, 4:52:56 PM1 votes

Sometimes, imo, saying gg, even at the end of the game, is just pure insult. saying GG as the winning team in the 4v5 is somewhat insulting.

It wasn't a good game... I had to struggle in a 4v5 for about 20 minutes before i could either surrender either get my ass handed to me.

I'm not even saying GG if I win a 4v5, I just just go, "bg sry for the leaver"