to really, REALLY hate the acronyms here?

[miseriecorde]

They don't make even the most convoluted anecdote any less confusing and they're cutesy nonsense. I've never called anyone "dear" in my life and I doubt most of the people here have either unless they're over 60.

Why do they persist? It just seems like a really embarassing fad that somehow stuck and has become a weird calling card of mumsnet. It literally takes seconds to type "oldest son" or "partner" instead of "DS1" or "DP" and it just sounds so much nicer and more human.

On a positive note, it does amuse me to picture everyone's family as R2D2 type robots with these little code names.

[Abra1d]

I hate the 'D' stuff, too. So twee.

[WaitrosePigeon]

I think you need to go back to bed!

[RunningOutOfCharge]

Other forums operate this way too

Many have the SAME acronyms

Have you just gained access to the www for first time or something?

[TizzyDongue]

Not sure why really. I suppose DH takes fewer seconds than than husband and acronyms need to be more than one letter.

It's not just on MN. It's an internet thing.

[Bluntness100]

Well I think it’s unreasonable to “ hate “ it, but I will admit I find it strange.

Escpecially when it’s about something obnoxious. Example “my DP is shagging another women, pays for nothing and emotionally abisive”, I do think; well why are you calling him your dear partner then.

[FakePlasticTeaLeaves]

The internet is full of acronyms. Don't use them if you don't like them.

[TizzyDongue]

"than than". one more and I'd have a band name.

[MadisonAvenue]

They were being used on the parenting site I used when my youngest son was born 17 years ago.

I thought it was twee then too, but it's even more ridiculous now when you get the likes of Ddog and Dcat being used

[Butterymuffin]

I don't really like them but have become resigned to using them. It does grind my teeth a bit when you have a post riddled with them: 'DM told DS that she and DB had to leave DDog so DD didn't get upset at DGPs'. Argh!

[ShirleyPhallus]

I agree about the D thing. Especially as people say DNiece or DHorse. IF YOU'RE SPELLING OUT THE WORD YOU DON'T NEED TO ADD D

Oh and DSTBXH. If he's soon to be your ex-husband he probably isn't that dear now is he

[peppapigearworm]

Perhaps the internet is not for you.

[TizzyDongue]

Do people read it as 'darling partner? I just see it was a reference to the partner of the person writing, internet pronoun, not a literal meaning of them as a 'darling' to the writer.

[ShirleyPhallus]

Perhaps the internet is not for you.

Brilliant advice. Truly inspired. Give up all internet usage because some naff acronyms mildly irk you.

[Theresamayscough]

Here’s a box of grips, take one

[AssassinatedBeauty]

I always think of the Dear/Darling as sarcastic, if that helps you?

[TizzyDongue]

Though the likes of DNiece is silly. It's not an acronym.

[MaidOfStars]

I don't use them, although I don't mention my husband/Mum/etc that often.

I used to hate reading them but now I find them handy. I am used to reading abbreviations in my job so maybe that's relevant.

it does amuse me to picture everyone's family as R2D2 type robots with these little code names
Yes amusing, but as I say, handy. DS1 is now immediately processed as 'eldest son' and I find it easier to read posts about friends if they are called A and Z.

Some abbreviations are confusing though. DSIL - sister-in-law? son-in-law? DF - father or fiancé? BF - boyfriend or best friend?

[MaidOfStars]

I just see it was a reference to the partner of the person writing, internet pronoun, not a literal meaning of them as a 'darling' to the writer
Agree. I see 'dear/darling' as nothing more than Internet code for 'the person I'm talking about is a member of my close family'.

[FakePlasticTeaLeaves]

DDog or Dniece is Dridiculous

[Argeles]

I dislike the DH, DP, DD etc stuff too, but I now use it as nearly everyone on here seems to use a myriad of acronyms. I think that people will think I’m a journalist or reporter if I don’t make an effort to join in!

I read so many posts and replies and cannot understand them though, as they are littered with bizarre acronyms - I just give up. I used to be a Teacher, and that profession is extremely acronym-laden, so I think this is where my real hatred stems from.

I have always detested abbreviations of words, and most colloquial language since I was a child though. Anything like choccy, butty, spuds or belly, makes me shudder.

[Nancy91]

It's cringe but I find myself doing it sometimes

Imagine saying my "dear husband" every time you mentioned him. So weird.

Why isn't husband just "H"? That's even quicker to type.

[eurochick]

I hate it too. I've been on MN for about 5 years and never used it. I've never seen it on other fora. It's twee and awful.

[HaHaHmm]

Well, they actually aren't acronyms.

Strictly speaking, an acronym is an abbreviation that can be pronounced as a word, like NATO or laser.

DD, DS, DH, AIBU etc are initialisms because you say the initial letters rather than forming a word. YANBU could be an acronym if you pronounced it as such.

misses point of thread

[ChardonnaysPrettySister]

The D is just there to punctuate the abbreviation, otherwise it might get lost in a the walls of text.

It doesn't bode the me, it's like a code.