We explain what a spoiler is and why it is necessary to warn of its presence. Also, how to avoid spoilers.
What is a spoiler?
The term spoiler it's a borrowing from English in the Spanish language which refers to any text or comment that unrequiredly advances important elements of the plot of a television series, film or book.
Its derived verb, spoilconsists of tell the ending or central events of a story to someone who does not know them thus ruining the surprise of discovering them for himself.
The term comes from the English verb to spoil“ruin” or “damage”, in the sense that it is being ruining another the opportunity to discover the plot on their own. Its origin dates back to the early years of the internet and to the film communities that have emerged online, among which spoilers are often considered in bad taste.
The rules of behavior on the internet and on social networks establish that, when a text containing a spoiler is published, readers who have not yet seen the film or read the book should be warned that if you continue reading you could find out information that you don't know. This is how the label was born spoiler alert (“spoiler warning”) so that the reader, if they wish, can interrupt reading in time.
Given that the word spoiler it is an anglicism the Royal Spanish Academy does not recommend its use, and proposes using instead gutof gut (“anticipate the outcome of a story to those who do not know it”). The use of spoiler (and the corresponding verb, spoil), which seems to prevail among the different Hispanic communities online.
How to avoid spoilers?
The rise of series and movies released on streaming platforms streaming The practice of spoilers has increased. The most effective way to avoid spoilers is to not go online and stay away from social media . Since this is not always possible, other methods can be used:
- Try not to enter internet sites where comments or reviews of books, movies or series are published.
- On social media and WhatsApp, stay away from people or groups who often make or spread spoilers. Today there are applications that allow you to send spoilers simultaneously to all contacts.
- Use one of the tools available to avoid or at least reduce exposure to spoilers:
- On Twitter it is possible to silence certain words. To do this, you have to go to Settings and privacy > Privacy and security > Mute and block > Silenced words > Add. In this way, you can hide any hashtag that contains words related to the book, movie or series whose spoiler you want to avoid.
- On Instagram you can indicate the words that you do not want to read in the comments. You must go to Configuration > Privacy and security > Comments > Edit comment settings > Controlsand then add the keywords. Any comments that include any of these words will not be displayed.
- On Facebook the Social Fixer extension allows, among other things, to manage the content that is displayed, such as feeds of news. To avoid spoilers, you must add the keywords you want to filter. You can also mute people or groups who are likely to post spoilers, using the option News preferencesin Configuration.
- In browsers There are various extensions that also serve to silence possible spoilers. Spoiler Protection 2.0 or Spoiler Slayer can be used in Chrome and Firefox. In Safari, Spoiler Block is available. These extensions filter or hide certain keywords. They work only on the desktop version of the browsers.
- On YouTube the Video Blocker extensions can be used, to mute videos, and Shut Up, which blocks comments. Both are available in Chrome, Firefox and Safari.
Other meanings of spoiler
In addition to its meaning linked to the dissemination of information, the term spoiler It has other meanings in English.
- Aeronautics . In the field of aeronautics, spoiler (“disruptor” or “deflector”, in Spanish) is a device used in airplanes to reduce their lift. It consists of a plate attached to the upper face of each of the two wings of the aircraft. As the plate moves upward, it causes lift to be reduced and drag to increase. Spoilers are used during flight when descending from altitude without varying speed too much and during landings to brake more effectively.
- Automobile aerodynamics . Within the field of automotive aerodynamics, spoiler (“spoiler”) is a device, placed at the rear of the car, that reduces the air turbulence that originates around the vehicle when it is in motion.
- Policy . In American English and in relation to the political sphere, a spoiler is a candidate who has no real chance of winning, but who influences the outcome of the election by subtracting votes from one of the main candidates. Just as there are people-spoilersthere are also matches-spoilerscreated in order to weaken one of the main parties.
References
- “Disembowel”, in Wikipedia.
- “Spoiler (media)”, in Wikipedia (English).
- “Spoiler (aeronautics), on Wikipedia.
- “Aileron (car)”, in Wikipedia.
- “Spoiler”, in Word Observatory – Royal Spanish Academy.
- “How to Avoid Spoilers Without Cutting Yourself Off From Civilization,” in Highsnobiety.
- “Spoiler”, in Political Dictionary.
