well, I have to go against the politically correct trend - I like "lurk", if only because it is a great verb describing the behaviour of my black cat in dark corners and under furniture when he is interested in something but doesn't want to look too uncool or overenthusiastic. I like all the nuances that simpler words lack.
Any "lurkers" who really don't like it should post their opinions, in which case the term would no longer apply...

PremEx, I'd describe you as a prowler, peeping mark or "silly person outside in the heat".

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Here's a definition:
Lurk Following a newsgroup or sitting on an IRC channel and reading the messages without saying anything, as if you were 'lurking in the shadows', staying out of sight of the other users.
(from the Internet and UNIX dictionary http://www.msg.net/kadow/answers/ )

Alas, no OED definition, as I don't have my copy with me, and internet access to it is restricted.



[This message has been edited by baobab (edited 07-06-1999).]