Home But Hiding

A phrase used by Jehovah’s Witnesses conducting door-to-door ministry to jokingly refer to the occurrence when a householder is obviously home but pretending not to be.

This phrase is a play-on-words based on the official phrase “Not at Home.” Jehovah’s Witnesses preach methodically and keep lists of every home they visit where no one answered the door, so that they can go back at another time in the hopes that someone will eventually answer. The list is referred to as “the not at homes” and the house itself is referred to as “a not at home.”

“Home-but-hiding” is not an official category and those houses are recorded as “not-at-homes” so that someone can return at another time.
JW 1: “Was that last house a not at home?”
JW 2: “No, it was a home but hiding.”
JW 1: “Ha! At least it wasn’t a do not call.”
by JW Terms September 26, 2018
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DF’ed

When used by Jehovah’s Witnesses:

Short for “disfellowshipped” (see disfellowshipping).

Frequently used as a code word because the speaker does not want non-Jehovah’s Witnesses to understand what they are talking about. This reflects the fact that many JWs are ashamed of or embarasssed by the practice.

However, it is sometimes used purely out of laziness as the word “disfellowshipped” is very long.
Jeremy can’t come with us to Europe anymore because he got DF’ed.
by JW Terms October 20, 2018
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Leave The Truth

To leave or to be ejected from the Jehovah’s Witness religion (see in The Truth).

Although the word “leave” implies purposeful action, the phrase “leave the truth” most commonly refers to people whom were disfellowshipped against their will (see disfellowshipping). This reflects the attitude that when a person is disfellowshipped, it is their own fault.
If you leave the Truth, we can’t be friends anymore.
by JW Terms October 21, 2018
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COBE

In the Jehovah’s Witness religion, basically the boss elder of an individual congregation.

Stands for “Coordinator of Body of Elders.” Formerly called “Presiding Overseer” or “PO.”
My COBE says we’re not allowed to wear skirts above the knee.
by JW Terms November 17, 2018
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Apostate

In the Jehovah’s Witness (JW) religion:

Any baptized JW who openly disagrees with or speaks out against either the JW religion or the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (WTBTS).

Apostates are considered dangerous “followers of Satan” and are therefore shunned.
JW1: I haven’t seen Kyle recently. Where has he been?
JW2: You haven’t heard?! He’s an apostate!
JW1: Too bad. I liked him.
by JW Terms January 12, 2019
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JW

Depending on the context, “JW” may be short for:

1. Jehovah’s Witness: see JWfacts.com

2. Just wondering: commonly used in online forums immediately preceding or immediately after asking a question, often to justify the question itself

3. Joss Whedon: American screenwriter. Has a cult following due to his early acting career in Star Trek Next Gen, and subsequent cameos throughout American pop-culture

4. Jungle Warfare: techniques used by the military to survive and fight in the jungle

5. Junior Warden: position in the Masonic Lodge or the Anglican Church

6. Johnny Walker Scotch
“JW, are you a JW?”
by JW Terms October 13, 2018
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Raised in the Truth

To be raised in the Jehovah’s Witness religion. (See definition for In the Truth).
Both my parents are Witnesses, I was raised in the Truth.
by JW Terms December 08, 2018
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