Definition

An acronym for 'I Seek You,' the pioneering instant messaging application launched in 1996 that allowed real-time text communication between users over the internet. ICQ popularized the concept of online presence indicators and buddy lists, becoming a cultural phenomenon in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Example Usage

I added you on ICQ so we can chat—your screen name is awesome!

Origin

A clever play on words: the phrase 'I seek you' sounds like the acronym I-C-Q when spoken aloud.

Fun Fact

ICQ's iconic 'uh-oh' notification sound became so recognizable that it defined the sound of the internet era for an entire generation.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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