What is a chain letter?

Answer 1

CLASSIC POSTAL CHAIN LETTER A paragraph or two about a person or event is sent to someone else, anonymously. That person is supposed to make 10 copies and send it on to 10 other people, who will each then make 10 copies and send it to 10 other people, and so forth. This has the effect of delivering the letters to a large number of different people. Usually the chain letter has a dire warning of some supernatural harm that may come to anyone who does not forward the letter. It may include examples of how good fortune was obtained after forwarding it, and how misfortune or death befell those who did NOT forward it. It is usually not signed by its originator, and is considered illegal in many jurisdictions. E-MAILS and the INTERNET In conjunction with chat, bulletin boards, or websites, a person creates an electronic version of the chain letter as above, but usually about a terrible murder with supernatural overtones. The recipient (who may be young or naive) is told to spread the tale or suffer dire, possibly fatal consequences. This is a cruel hoax usually perpetrated by adolescents or disturbed individuals with no regard for how it might be perceived. LESS HARMFUL VERSIONS Not really chain-letters in the usual sense, they perpetuate a list of the respondents, each adding a new line (e.g. a spelling word, a favorite color), their names, and locations. These are generally harmless except for wasting space on the servers forwarding them.