Can I just warn any lurkers out there...........

Greatnan I think jO5's comment was aimed at me! So, why doesn't it surprise you?

I don't know, jingle - why does it not surprise you?

I've got a really good acronym could be used on here.

And as I'm getting quite close to asking GN to ban me (to get some jobs done), I could put it up.

You find "numpty" a useful word?

Why doesn't that surprise me?

Nanadog I share your sorrow about mothers, I'm not too proud of mine and her behaviour towards others, including me. It is only since she has gone that I have heard all the awful tales but the good that has come out of it is that I am now very close to nieces who were browbeaten by her when she was here.

Greatnan!

Oh, dear, I have to admit to being a slag in my glory days! I thought I was just enjoying my new-found freedom!
I like 'saddoes' myself - just about sums them up.

Fair enough ladies. OK, so we need to come up with something else for those that Elegran referred to as antisocial twerps. I don't want to waste "numpty" on them, it is such a useful word and too good for them really!

I do have a bit of a penchant for acronyms though, how about:

Antisocials Ruining Site Enjoyment Sadly ?

Both those words still shock me when I hear them bandied about, and they can be directed towards either sex, as can 'slag', which I always thought meant a promiscuous woman!

I disagree re. the c word, I do find that offensive and I think anyone using it would surely know that it was a word associated with female genitalia, whereas the t word I was referring to seems to have lost that connotation these days. This actually came up in discussion with a group of 20 somethings not long ago, and they were surprised when I pointed out it's original meaning. I suppose it's another example of how language can change over time.

phoenix I like numpty too. You could say that the c word is no longer associated with female genitalia but is used to mean an unpleasant or stupid person – but that wouldn't be true either.

absent , I would never say that you were a humourless misery guts! I fully appreciate what you are saying but, talking to younger friends, it would seem that today that word is no longer associated with female genitalia, but is used in the way that we might have said "you idiot" or (my personal favourite) "numpty".

phoenix While I appreciate your delightful sense of humour and the cleverness of your suggestion, I have an intense dislike of insults being based on words for female genitalia. By all means call me a humourless misery guts but that is how I feel.

Do you think HQ would allow it though?

phoenix excellent*

I might have a better one! How about an acronym?

Time Wasting Attention/Thrill Seekers

What do you think?

Saddos?

We could do with a new word to describe those antisocial twerps who only post to see how much trouble they can cause. They just see being called a t***l as evidence that they have managed to rile genuine posters - their main aim in life - and GMHQ gets cross. It also devalues genuine ethnic t****s busy continuing their native traditions in their snug burrows under Scandinavian bridges.

Any suggestions?

Of course the jumpers in Tom Stoppard's play of the same name were "logical positivists mostly". All together a different kettle of fish.

Not one I shall be using any time soon though....

It is always good to learn a new word...........

He he. I wasn't offended. Just startled!

Oh heavens, I wasn't aware that there was an internet term for it, I truly just meant it as someone who "jumps" in without introducing themselves. Sorry if I have offended anyone, that was never my intention.

Faye I take you point re not knowing if someone has been lurking for a while before joining, but I notice that they will often start with a sort of "Hello I've been looking at the site for a while and have decided to take the plunge and join" type post, and usually then go on to tell a little about themselves.

There have been a couple lately who have joined like that and seem to making good contributions and getting a lot from the site too.

It's the ones that start straightaway with a question and no introduction that sometimes ring alarm bells.

phoenix how can you know if someone hasn't been lurking for ages before they do in fact jump in.

I do object to new posters who when we have had disagreements choose that very time to announce they are new but won't be staying around if this is what Gransnet is like. . They never stay around anyway.

So sad Nanad I am sorry to hear that.