Gransnet forums

Grandparenting

Use of acronyms

(63 Posts)
reikinana Sat 12-Sep-15 17:29:00

Am I the only one who finds the constant use of acronyms irritating? I have just tried to read a thread of 100 posts and gave up. There were so many acronyms that I had not a clue what they meant. I could work some of them out but others left me behind.

Alea Sat 12-Sep-15 17:32:46

Have you checkout the list at the top of the page?
I find them useful, they preserve a degree of anonymity by reminds viewers GN the need for names and some of them I find quite amusing.
I have always liked this one in general use
TLA = three letter acronym!!

Culag Sat 12-Sep-15 17:51:30

I agree with [reikinana]. It completely ruins some threads for me. I also don't like having to put in brackets etc for names and emoji. It's not so bad on a proper keyboard, but a pain with a tablet. And I wish people's names would always start with a capital letter, then they would be easier to read not in bold. Maybe this should be on the Pedants thread!

Culag Sat 12-Sep-15 17:53:11

And I didn't get the name wrong deliberately!

Riverwalk Sat 12-Sep-15 17:57:18

Most people very quickly get used to abbreviations - in most cases it's obvious what they mean.

Do you really expect everyone to type Mother-in-Law half a dozen times in a post when MIL will do!

Ana Sat 12-Sep-15 18:02:25

I agree, you do get used to using them. I still find DH and DC a bit cringey (what if they're not that dear to you? confused) but I suppose it would be too confusing without the D!

Indinana Sat 12-Sep-15 18:06:31

The ones for relatives are essential I think and we all get used to them very quickly. However, I there is a tendency for some members to get carried away and use acronyms for obscure things, maybe work related phrases or jargon, which not everyone is familiar with. I get a bit irritated with these TBH (and yes, I did use that one deliberately - I think everyone knows what it means smile)

Ana Sat 12-Sep-15 18:12:16

CBA is a good one! grin

annsixty Sat 12-Sep-15 18:30:08

That's my favouriteAna I don't use it on here actually but I do with my DD and DGC just to shock them. They didn't realise I used such languagegrin

crun Sat 12-Sep-15 18:36:28

"I still find DH and DC a bit cringey "

SINJMT (So it's not just me then.)

kittylester Sat 12-Sep-15 19:23:13

The people who have been on for a long time are obviously used to using them so it would be difficult for them/us to stop. You don't have to use them if you don't want to!

kittylester Sat 12-Sep-15 19:26:19

And why is this under Grandparenting confused

hildajenniJ Sat 12-Sep-15 20:02:58

You can use the shortcut button for the emoji on the mobile site. Try it when using your tablet. There are three circles below the space for your message. I never use the desktop site now.

rosequartz Sat 12-Sep-15 20:42:49

Oh, guilty of having a lower case name blush

I don't have any acronyms at the top of my page ....
WAIGW?

Ana Sat 12-Sep-15 20:48:56

It's at the end of the list which starts with Active just under Gransnet Forums at the top of the page, rosequartz smile

(And I don't think it's particularly difficult to put a * before and after someone's username...)

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 12-Sep-15 21:12:17

Oh FGS. It's not difficult. Where have you been living for the last fifteen years?! hmm

Has this site got to turn into the online equivalant of People's Friend?

Deedaa Sat 12-Sep-15 21:26:31

DD has been having a lot of arguments with Customs about imports that have been impounded. It has meant dealing with numerous government departments and she said she felt as if she was sinking in a sea of acronyms as none of them seemed to use plain English at all.

Anne58 Sat 12-Sep-15 22:01:11

Oh jings that must qualify for post of the week/mo??th! Have sniggortled !

janerowena Sat 12-Sep-15 22:21:24

If you belonged to Mumsnet (as I did before I joined here, as I was not a grandmother 13 years ago) then you would have trouble remembering to use longer words after being able to type of sentences at speed knowing that the majority of readers would understand exactly what you mean. Those acronyms are used by many forums. I know, because I have worked my way through quite a few before settling here.

I am also very partial to FFS. In fact, as I rarely swear, I even think it as FFS. I also prefer the general 'DH' or 'OH' to many other names I have people calling their spouses and partners. grin

ninathenana Sat 12-Sep-15 23:14:05

It's not there on the mobile site Ana
Not that I think I need it.

Ana Sat 12-Sep-15 23:16:28

Well, perhaps rosequartz could switch to the desktop site just to have a look...smile

rosequartz Sat 12-Sep-15 23:22:20

I suppose you could use HI or GOG instead of DH or OH grin
Or in my case HITG (Him in the Garage)
Or even GOGITG

reikinana Sun 13-Sep-15 00:12:22

I am OK with the obvious ones like .MIL for Mother in Law but the others FFS! I learned this from the above replies. Any chance of an introductory message for new members if this is the norm?..

Grannyknot Sun 13-Sep-15 08:52:51

I also find the acronyms such as DD etc annoying and have mostly ignored them since the start. But then I only have 1 DD and 1 DS so I just go son or daughter. And I'm a fast typist (keyboardist?) and will type mother-in-law out in full without even thinking twice about it.

We've had the "lower case names" discussion before, apparently it's not very "web-by" or not good web protocol to use capital letters in usernames. So I got that one right by instinct! smile

Elegran Sun 13-Sep-15 09:32:14

No need for an introductory message - there is a link to "Acronyms" at the right of the boxes above the posts.