To wonder what the point in name changing is and then announcing it?

[CustardCreamLover]

Just that really. Don't understand it. Can someone explain?!

Generally when people start a thread saying "I've namechanged", it's because the thread is one that will make people think and they are trying to say "this is not my first post" and "I'm not a troll"..

You might change your name because you don’t want an outing post to be connected to your previous posts but then announce it because you don’t want people to think you’re new to MN (because some people are suspicious of new posters).

Just to hopefully give people an idea you’re not trolling - I’ve done it on the health section plus I’ve uploaded pics on there before so I can’t be identified and linked to this or my older usernames.

I thought this was about real life

You can do an advanced search on a username to see what the have posted in the past. If you name change then people can't see your posts under another name.

You announce it to stop people assuming you're a first time poster and then more likely to be a troll.

Yes, it's so people know you are not a new poster making a weird first post, or a troll. Often people name change because the subject matter is a bit delicate, so they want to be taken seriously.

I do it because I post identifying info if it was all linked together, and I sort of say it to prove I’m not a troll. Which is stupid really! I used to do the whole “cubes of poo, penguin date, mitmoo” thing to prove i’d Been around a while too. I can’t be arsed now sites bigger, people will call troll and be harsh in replying no matter what these days!

It's code for what I'm about to post makes me sound like a troll.

It often means "I'm a regular poster but I'm about to post goady shite then go back to my safe known MN name afterwards"

Ok thanks, I understand a bit now!

@YouWereRight

Think it would be a bit weird for it to be real life!!