Barnacles are a sticky issue.
A barnacle is an arthropod, a creature that has no backbone (invertebrate) and that grows a shell. Like many arthropods they attach themselves to other surfaces, although barnacles tend to grow into the surface rather than just stick themselves to it.
Not quite as sticky an issue as I might have led you to believe, then.
You’ll often see barnacles attached to boats, rocks and, occasionally, whales. They’re a bit of a nuisance.
The Diplomacy ‘Barnacle’
In Diplomacy, a ‘Barnacle’ is a player that attaches themselves to another player in a game. They might be a Diplopup – a newby – that clings on to a more experienced player, but they’re a player that will hold on to the alliance for dear life, no matter what.
If you’re the Barnacle, your aim is to stick with the alliance. You’ll do anything to cling on. Why? Because you’re hoping the other player will see you through the game. You’re not trying to win (unless you’re under the deluded impression that winning means drawing the game, or not being eliminated), you’re trying to survive.
If you’re the player to whom the Barnacle is attached, you’re likely to be quite happy with this, at least for now. If it’s a novice player, though, the chances are you’re going to wonder what the Hell you’ve done to deserve this. Let’s just hope they don’t follow you around the Hobby like a devoted hound, eh? On the other hand, if you’re a Nurse Shark, then the Barnacle might be someone you’re happy to have attached to you.
If you’re neither of these two players, Barnacles are a pain in the ass. The aim is to split this alliance up but, given the Barnacle’s propensity to cling on for dear life, good luck with that!
Carebears are, of course, Barnacles, although they probably wouldn’t admit it.
The best way to separate a Barnacle from whatever it’s attached itself to is to get something long, metal and pointed between it and the surface. A knife is good. Knives crop up a lot in Diplomacy, don’t they?
THE DIPLOMATICON 
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