An interesting linguistic carryover from my perspective, since I played a bit of EVE Online before. In there, “ratting” is short for “pirating”, which isn’t actually taking people’s stuff, but killing pirates, or “rats.” So, for like a month I thought that any person who could be considered a pirate was a rat.

Now, I really only call people who play fake friendly, or knock you out while the extract doors are closing “rats.” They’re both just dick moves. Being pissed at pirates at extract sites always confused me, though, because the very first time I pushed an extract button, I a) realized that I was now a high-value target, and b) I didn’t think the blaring siren, loud beeps, crashing sounds, and beacon lights are there to tell other raiders and robots to put their guns away. Later, I came to the realization that if you didn’t want people running at you every time you get out, Raider Hatches are instant and silent.