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NN = nomen nescio ("I don't know the name") You use it when you cannot name the source of a quote, or when you would like to protect the source.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nomen_nescio



Wouldn't "-Unknown" convey the same sense without the possible confusion?


I think this conveys a slightly different meaning.

When I see "-Unknown", I interpret it as "somebody said it, but no one is quite sure who".

"(NN)" in the current thread was used to indicate "I personally don't know", which does not imply the quote is unattributable.


NN is (was) also used in neapolitan comedy, derived from earlier use throughout the Roman Empire and Middle Age. The "figlio di NN", or "son of NN" means someone who was found and adopted (typically by nuns) and whose parents were unknown.

NN can be used in general for people whose origin is uncertain. I think in this specific case it's a bit misleading - although the wikipedia article seems to suggest that NN can also be used as a synonym for "unknown", although from a historical perspective it is a bit incorrect.

The literal translation from Latin creates some confusion if you didn't know the context.

I hope this helps.


So NN can be used as an school version of anonymous?


... wrote the bot trying to hide its identity


Using the acronym of the phrase defeats the purpose, though, since it looks like someone's initials.





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