If you’ve spent any time on Twitch, Reddit, or in gaming discords, you’ve almost certainly seen it: o7.
It spams the chat when a streamer goes offline. It appears when a beloved character dies in a game. It floods the comments when a community member achieves something great.
But what does o7 actually mean, and where did it come from?
In short: o7 is a text-based emoticon representing a salute.
The ‘o’ represents a head, and the ‘7’ represents an arm and hand saluting. It’s a simple, universal gesture of respect, solidarity, and farewell.
The Origins of o7
While it’s hard to pinpoint the exact first usage, o7 gained massive popularity in the space simulation game EVE Online. In a game known for its complex politics and massive space battles, o7 became the standard greeting and salute between pilots.
From EVE Online, it spread to another space sim, Elite Dangerous, where “o7 Commander” (or “o7 CMDR”) became the de facto greeting for pilots crossing paths in the vastness of the galaxy.
As these communities overlapped with general gaming culture on Twitch and Reddit, the emote broke containment and became a staple of internet slang.
What Does o7 Mean in Twitch Chat?
On Twitch, context is everything. Here are the most common ways o7 is used:
1. The “Good Bye” Salute
When a streamer ends their broadcast, chat will often fill with o7s. It’s a way of saying, “Good stream, see you next time,” while showing respect for the entertainment provided.
2. The Raid Salute
When one streamer “raids” another (sends their viewers to another channel at the end of their stream), the raiders will often spam o7 to salute the new streamer and the streamer they just arrived from. It signals, “We are here, and we come in peace/respect.”
3. Paying Respects
Did a character just die in a hardcore Minecraft run? Did a teammate sacrifice themselves for the win in Valorant? o7 is the modern gamer’s way of paying respects, similar to the “Press F to Pay Respects” meme.
4. Acknowledging Effort
If a speedrunner finally beats a record after hours of trying, or an artist finishes a marathon commission session, an o7 in chat is a digital pat on the back. It says, “Good job, soldier.”
Variations of the Salute Emoji
The internet is creative, and o7 has spawned several variations:
- 7o: The “left-handed” salute. Often used if someone types it wrong, or deliberately to be quirky.
- O7: The “big head” salute. Just a capitalized version, often used for emphasis.
- <3 o7: A salute with love.
- o/ /o: These are high-fives or waves, not salutes, but they live in the same family of text emotes.
How to Use o7 Correctly
You don’t need a PhD in memeology to use o7. Here is a quick cheat sheet:
- Stream ending? Type o7.
- Someone did something cool? Type o7.
- A brave sacrifice in-game? Type o7.
- Greeting a fellow space trucker? Type o7.
Conclusion
The o7 emote is a perfect example of how digital communities create their own non-verbal language. It’s a simple combination of two characters that conveys respect, camaraderie, and acknowledgement.
So next time you see a wall of o7s in chat, don’t be confused. Join in. raise your hand, and give a salute.
o7
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