I admit I tease my friends with that, but that's all in fun. However, I give credit where it's due. For instance, if I'm just trying to guild chat when some Lvl 8 Basic player says, and I quote: "Noob join my crew." I may say "No, Thank you." and ignore him. But if he bombards me with crew invites and the word "Noob" I say to my guildies "Hang on, let me TP from this noob" and leave without instigating anything more. It all depends on if it's an adjective or a hateful name. As I said earlier "With no evidence to back it up"

I think that they are throwing their weight around, but I think they often mean Newbie rather than Noob. Some people don't seem to know the difference these days.

Cause you just never know whether or not the level 4 you called a noob has a 50 as well. I know I do! Been called a noob on my lower pirates, an I just laugh and say tell that to my mastered pirate, would you like to meet her?