Twitter to X rebrand sparks debate over new name for ‘tweets’

The social media platform formerly known as Twitter began its metamorphosis from its iconic blue bird, tweet-centric operations, to its new form as ‘X’ on July 24. 

X has replaced its bird logo with a simple white X, along with a color scheme shift from the trademark sky-blue to black and white. While links continue to read “twitter.com,” the web address “x.com” currently redirects over to the Twitter address.

pic.twitter.com/dxbsqwcYv7

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 25, 2023

Elon Musk, the owner of X and former CEO of the platform, said the rebrand is part of an entirely new strategy for the social media site. This includes turning it into a hub through which users can conduct their “entire financial world,” according to Musk. 

There has been a great deal of hype surrounding the changes on the platform, with many users left with mixed feelings about the changes. Twitter began in 2006 and has created a legacy with its former branding, giving a new meaning to the words “tweet” and “tweeting.”

Some users have called the decision to rebrand “insane,” while stating that they will continue to call the platform by its old name. 

sorry dude, i’m still callin it twitter.

— Tiffany Fong (@TiffanyFong_) July 23, 2023

Cointelegraph created a community survey on Twitter to poll readers and users of the platform what they believe the posts on the platform should be referred to with the options of “tweet,” “xeet” and a space for users to offer their own ideas. 

Let’s decide, anons! What are we going to call it now?

— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) July 25, 2023

At the time of writing, there have been 692 votes with “tweet” and “xeet” in a tie at 45%. Users offered up suggestions for post names which include “drops,” “crossings,” “xpresssions,” “tweex” and “Xtweets.”

Related: Twitter to impose daily limits on DMs for unverified accounts

Other users across the internet have also offered up renaming possibilities, including various pop-culture references.

Twix pic.twitter.com/aukUxocgbA

— Domenico – Micro SaaS Guy (@DG_9_6) July 24, 2023

Despite users’ guesses, Musk has yet to make any concrete comment as to the future of “tweets” on the platform. 

Instead, trademark attorneys are already predicting that the branding shift to X could spark lawsuits costing upwards of millions over the coming years.

Attorney Josh Gerben said on July 25 via a thread on X, that other U.S.-based companies including Microsoft and Meta already are in possession of similar “x” trademarks for different products and services, while many others could also have grounds for similar lawsuits.

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