|
Glossary - Terms
Like every sport, Geocaching has some special terms. And like
every sport, experienced players use these terms when they
talk to each other. Here's a listing of some of them so you'll
be able to understand what people are saying:
Log Abbreviations
There are actually two kinds of log. One is found on the cache
description page found on geocaching.com. This log is for finders
to record their comments
about the find. The other log is in the cache container at the
site. It actually looks
more like a slip of paper and is usually found wrapped up inside
a plastic bag inside the cache container. Written on it
is an explanation of geocaching (for people who find the cache
container accidentally) then a series of lines for the entry
of a username and a date. Beside the usernames and
dates you'll often see sets of initials entered on
the log. Some of these are explained below.
- FTF
- First
to Find - often a special reward is placed in a cache when
it is first established. This becomes a kind of "reward"
for the first person to find the cache. Usually found in
the on-line cache site description. Once the FTF has been
claimed it is gone.
- TNLN
- Took
Nothing/Left Nothing - the geocacher finding this cache
chose not to take any of the items in it, they also chose
not to leave anything. This is considered good
sportsmanship but it does rather spoil the fun. If you don't
have anything to swap it is only good manners not to take
anything.
- SL
- Signed
Log This term is often entered into the on-line comments. Sometimes this is followed
by a listing of what this finder took and what they left.
- TFTC
- Thanks
for the Cache - this term is often entered into the on-line
comments and is a kind of "thank you" from
the finder of the cache.
And,
last but not least, a definition for a special object you
may find in a cache container.
- Travel
Bug
- A
Travel bug is placed into a cache with the hope that
it goes
on some kind of special mission. It will
usually be identified by having a kind of dog tag (containing
a serial number) attached to it. There should also be a
note explaining the mission. Persons finding
a travel bug are asked to take it to another cache closer
to the travel bug's goal. Finders taking a travel
bug are honor bound to move it to another cache. Travel
bugs are tracked through geocaching.com where a map is
available showing all the
places this travel bug has been.
|
