from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
Internet Relay Chat
IRC
<chat, messaging> (IRC) /I-R-C/, occasionally /*rk/ A
{client-server} {chat} system of large (often worldwide)
networks. IRC is structured as networks of {Internet}
{servers}, each accepting connections from {client} programs,
one per user.
The IRC community and the {Usenet} and {MUD} communities
overlap to some extent, including both {hackers} and regular
folks who have discovered the wonders of computer networks.
Some {Usenet} jargon has been adopted on IRC, as have some
conventions such as {emoticons}. There is also a vigorous
native jargon (see the entry for "{chat}").
The largest and first IRC network is {EFNet}, with a smaller
breakaway network called the {Undernet} having existed since
1992, and dozens of other networks having appeared (and
sometimes disappeared) since.
See also {nick}, {bot}, {op}.
Yahoo's IRC index
(http://yahoo.com/Computers_and_Internet/Internet/Chat/IRC/).
(1998-01-25)