I asked this question ages ago and it was pointed out that "sub" isn't a reddit specific term. It's been short for "subforum" since the first BBSes, so it's basically a ubiquitous internet term.

"Sub" works because everybody already knows what you mean and it's the word you intuitively reach for.

You can call them "communities" if you want, but it's longer and can't easily be shortened.

I just call them subs now.

[–] Localhorst86 56 points 4 months ago (3 children)

You can call them "communities" if you want, but it's longer and can't easily be shortened.

I propose "commies"

[–] jaybone@lemmy.world 28 points 4 months ago

Hexbear and lg will appreciate that.

[–] Bertuccio@lemmy.world 11 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (2 children)

"Subcom" sounds like a bad movie genre or a very niche porn fetish.

[–] dubyakay@lemmy.ca 4 points 4 months ago

That's just short for Subspace Communication.

[–] ramjambamalam@lemmy.ca 4 points 4 months ago

Subcom: noum (informal) a submissive comedy

[–] assa123@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 4 months ago

how about "/c/" ?

[–] subignition@fedia.io 8 points 4 months ago

Heck yeah. It hearkens back to the days of Current Events vs. Random Insanity, and probably much earlier

[–] jaybone@lemmy.world 5 points 4 months ago

I was calling them coms for a while. I think people mnew what I meant but it’s even more loaded.