Definitions for "Lurking"
Lurking is just listening to the discussion on the internet. Lurking is encouraged for beginners who need to get up to speed on the history and culture of the group.
Reading newsgroup or listserv messages without responding to them. No body knows you are there.
Non-active participation on the part of a subscriber to an mailing list, a Usenet newsgroup, and IRC channel, a CUSEEME connection, or any other Internet communication device. If you're "lurking," you're generally just listening to the discussion. It's usually best to lurk if you're a beginner or if you are new to a communication group. This allows you to "get up to speed" on the history or acceptable behavior of the group. (8/97)
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed; "a furtive manner"; "a lurking prowler"; "a sneak attack"; "stealthy footsteps"; "a surreptitious glance at his watch"; "someone skulking in the shadows"
concealed and unsuspected; "lurking dangers"; "search for lurking ambiguities"
Means hanging around in the background and watching without getting involved. Most of us are lurkers when we first enter a new neighborhood on the Internet.