“Greentext” refers to a style of writing popularized on 4chan and other imageboards. It’s characterized by using the > symbol at the start of each line, which turns the text green on 4chan’s interface. Originally, this syntax was meant for quoting previous posts, but it evolved into a distinctive storytelling format, often used for short, humorous, exaggerated, or absurd anecdotes.
Common Features of Greentext:
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Minimalist, fragmented style: Sentences are often short and lack proper grammar.
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Implied first-person perspective: Stories are often written as if the author is recounting an experience.
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Use of tropes and inside jokes: Common meme formats emerge, like “>tfw no gf” (meaning “that feel when no girlfriend”).
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Surreal or absurd humor: Many greentext stories exaggerate events or follow bizarre, unexpected logic.
Example:
>be me
>walk into grocery store
>see avocado
>remember
>guacamole exists
>start sweating
>run out of store
From ChatGPT.