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[Dorkmaster]

The Phil

[Crisko]

Curious, where did the term "The Phil" derive from?

[Dorkmaster]

Thanks for your interest, Crisko! The Phil originated with ILB (or the Haunted Apiary, Let Op!). It was designed to help coordinate the first round (and successive rounds) of payphones being answered, by linking times, places, and players to ensure that each phone was answered. While it didn't get that done completely, (anyone volunteer for the middle of the atlantic ocean? Bueller?) I personally feel that it did let people know where they could be best used, and I feel that it helped greatly to the initial success of the game, as many of the phones were answered.

Anyway, that's the origin, and I was the one who coined the term. However, I take more pride in the fact that it was adopted, than with the genesis of the term. (But I figured what the heck, try to get it immortalized in the glossary.) It may or may not be too specific for glossary status, but I figured it's worth seeing the merits and demerits of such a try. Hence, the poll and the thread. So thanks for your input, and I am very curious to see the results. Have a good one!
-DM
Here's the original reference to the spreadsheet, with the term "The Phil" coming later in the same thread. (The spreadsheet is now not attached anymore, but you can see the post immediately after this, is where it first made its appearance.)

[Crisko]

Sounds good to me. Its original and kind of catchy.

... but why 'The Phil'? Why not 'The Bob'?

[Dorkmaster]

I actually considered the Bob, but it was too generic. I figured this way, it was a bit off, and more to the point, specific. It was fun to say "I'll add you to The Phil", cuz everyone instantly knew what it meant... I really don't expect this to become canon or anything, but I think it would be cool to consider it, is all.. Thanks for your interest, regardless!

-DM