Do you wonder about all of the strange creatures that go bump in the night in your video games? If so, the chances are there is a sci-fi organization that deals with keeping your characters safe. Most otherworldly creatures are contained inside special facilities in-game, and these are typically left up to the SCP Foundation. Before you go looking for them, it is worth noting that the foundation is highly secretive and dedicated to keeping humanity safe from things that are best left undiscovered. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
SCP stands for Secure, Contain, Protect. It also means special containment procedures. The motto and the term are linked to the SCP foundation which is a secretive group. This group is responsible for containing objects of power and anomalous creatures of various classes. The foundation is purely fictional and limited to the gaming world and does not exist in reality, like area 51.
There are various classes of SCP creatures and items, ranging from Euclid to those that are safe. The SCP Foundation has many containment sites located over several contents. These locations always remain secret and are specific to certain classes of items or creatures. The main goal of these sites is not only to study the SCP but also to harness their power for scientific gain.
Another lesser-known, but equally popular usage of SCP is that it means something questionable that should not be mentioned.
Example Usage
“There are so many SCP locations to keep hidden from the public”.
“Those SCPs are a drain on the taxpayer’s finances.
“The president is out there denying SCPs again!”
“What is all this talk about uncontained SCPs?”
“There isn’t anything suspicious going on, just an SCP”.
“Can you tell me what a category Ketter SCP is?”
“There are so many Euclid category SCP all over the place”.
Origin
The term SCP and the SCP Foundation was first created in 2007. The paranormal forum on 4chan is where the very first file that referenced SCP was posted. The file title SCP-173 was actually uploaded by an unknown source to the platform. The file contained an image by Izumi Kato, who is a Japanese artist. Along with the image, a short story was uploaded as well. Not long after the upload, many other people began adding their own SCP files and stories to the Paranormal section of the 4chan forums.
The style of most uploads mimicked the original SCP-173 file and also was set within the same realm as the original story, therefore creating a unique universe for the forum users. Over time the forum grew in popularity and in members. With no way to leave comments on each submission, users began to communicate through SCP articles. Eventually, the forum moved to a new platform.
Phrases Similar to SCP
- Subject
- Entity
- Organism
- Anomaly
- Manifestation
- Object
Phrases opposite to SCP
- Known entity
- The being
What is The Correct Saying?
- SCP – XXX, or Secure, Contain, Protect Subject class xxx.
Ways People May Incorrectly Say SCP
- We need to SCP our way into the club.
- Looking to buy an SCP on the black market? We can help.
- Working for a company like SCP is pretty ruthless.
- I’m going to go SCP on you.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase SCP
There are many ways to use SCP. In most literal uses, a person will use SCP-XXX in reference to a specific anomaly. However, when used in conversation or referring to the foundation, it has additional uses. Some are:
“Time to file that under the SCP Keter class”.
“We need to join the SCP to gain access to such information”.
“That object is something straight out of the SCP”.
“If you want to see some really weird shit, check out what the SCP has cooking”.
“Taxes are being used mainly by the SCP foundation, instead of going to public works”.