Three-word usernames including a colour

[EmpressaurusDelleGatte]

I was curious about why these are suddenly popular, and someone said it’s the sign of a bot.

Is that true?

I thought it was just the new default setting (in place of user123456789 which used to be the automatic format)

I also thought it replaced the automatically assigned "user 12345" names.

I’d wondered that too, but then the bot comment made me think perhaps not? It would be good to know for sure.

Oh. I thought you wanted suggestions. I was already with PurplePenguinPantaloons.

A bot would be likely to have one of the automatically assigned names though.

I'm sure the colour names started to appear when the user12345 ones disappeared,

I'm curious about this too!

The ones I've noticed have behaved in ways I associate with "not a genuine poster".

But maybe I've only noticed them because of this behaviour.

And then there were the really weird one or two whose names had "By" in front of the colour names. Like they'd been automatically generated and it had gone slightly wrong.

I haven't tried any in WhatThreeWords, but I've been tempted.

Can I change my name to "all the colours that Trump is not" old John

I don't exist!

unmentioned.elephant.disco is however a place (in the middle of nowhere in the Democratic Republic of the Congo)
As is .....dill and ....dodo

Maybe I need to add a colour?

The user123456 names are not automatically assigned. you choose them the same as any other user name.

They come up as name suggestions if you are a lurker who hasn't signed up yet. I tend to assume posters with those names just joined to post on a thread that's piqued their interest. But I think bots might go with the suggestions too.

They were assigned at one time until people complained about them.

Yes I’ve noticed names like OnePurpleVegetable or something like that. I thought they were bots because they started with one controversial post and wouldn’t reply again. Thought it was something to do with AI, gathering information to teach AI? Then they started replying in the threads so I’m really not sure… there’s something not right about it.

I know this because I used one when I first joined. They are useful suggestions because it's quite hard to come up with a name that's available.

I just thought it was because all the names had been taken so people just shove a colour in front of it

Thanks @TreeMelody.

I am a long time poster. I regularly name change and my current username originated because when I was namechanging, DS3 was playing with his trains and telling me about the yellow trains.

I've noticed a pattern where a new poster with that formula of username either starts a clickbait thread, usually with some improbable story or controversial statement/question; or replies with a very strong view that contradicts the majority (eg that we should be kind to a male abuser).

Hi @EmpressaurusDelleGatte thanks for asking about this.

These usernames have been in use since February - we introduced this feature in case thinking of a username (or finding one that hadn't been used before!) was preventing new members from posting on the site.

When someone creates an account they don't have to immediately choose a username, but if they want to start a thread or reply to one they can either choose their own username or select from one of six randomly-generated usernames. The names are a combination of adjectives, colours, animals etc.

So while there may well be some dodgy posters opting for this type of username, there'll also be plenty of genuine accounts. We just don't tend to notice the ones who are innocently Mumsnetting - it's only ever the trolls who get spotted and reported!

Hope that answers your query but do let us know if you have any other thoughts about these usernames.

As ever, please report any threads or posters that concern you - we're always happy to check things out behind the scenes and if we don't feel someone is here in good faith we'll take the necessary action.

Thanks @JoMumsnet!

My curiosity is now satisfied.

I have reported a few of these users and MN have indeed zapped them. One keeps coming back though - same schtick, different adjective-colour-animal name. I thought it was their cunning 'disguise' but I now realise in their eagerness to post more of their bollocks, they are just doing the easy 'pick a suggested user name'. So yes, I would say proceed with caution! (present company on this thread excepted! 😉😁 ).

😮

< looks in mirror for a body >

I just now tried it for fun. 💜😸 I'd noticed it too and googling "trend for three word usernames" brought me to this thread. I'm a long term Mumsnetter.