Bloody acronyms on Mumsnet!

[ScarletStar]

Am I alone in really struggling with them? I've looked at the list on here but it doesn't cover them all. I've seen CM to mean child maintenance and Child Minder. Children are ds, dd,dss, etc. Every thread turns into a puzzle trying to figure out what things mean and because conversations move on so quick I don't want to ask. Just wanted a moan, I've only been on the site about 3 weeks so no doubt I'll get used to it..!

[TheProsAndConsOfHitchhiking]

You will get used to it :)

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Context is everything but yes, I often do a double take at threads when it is not clear for eg whwher they mean GP (doctor) or grandparents

[TheGirlFromIpanema]

Wait 'til you start using MN acronyms accidentally irl

[ScarletStar]

Thanks everyone! :) Yes I've actually said 'LOL' once instead of actually giving a polite laugh and wanted to punch myself, haha.

[RowanMumsnet]

Welcome ScarletStar - let us know if there are any acronyms you think we should be adding to the list

[RedandChecker]

What thegirl said! ^^

I often go to call DS...DS in real life

[Bowlersarm]

DF could be Dear Father or Dear Fiancé (an awkward thread where the OP was talking about giving her DF a bj, or something like that, and a few posters were wtf ). A traumatic image all round.

[Bowlersarm]

I do that Red, as well. At least in my head they are DH, and DC. I hope I don't say it out loud one day.

[TypicaLibra]

I must say I've been registered on this site since about 2005 because I would google things like 'why is my four year old grumpy' and Mumsnet always came up. I would then browse a few threads relating to whatever problem I had at the time, but found it really hard work because of all the acronyms - I struggled to understand a lot of it. It's only been about a year that I've been a properly active user ... and have finally got my head round most of the acronyms. Still find a lot of them irritating though.

[MirandaWest]

CM could also be cervical mucus #helpful

[Nocomet]

My problem is my DDs are now teens so I'm having trouble with BF (best friend) and have taken to calling DD1s life long partner in crime her DF or BFF (dear/best female friend) as she has never had a BF (boy friend) however she did have a MBF/BMF (male best friend/ best male friend at primary and they are still DF)

TLAs are simply confusing. Don't marry a computer geek, OP, they can hold whole conversations in acronyms.

[RedandChecker]

I just Laughed out Loud in work at giving DF a BJ [girn]

[RedandChecker]

not girn

[RustyBear]

I often do a double take at threads when it is not clear for eg whwher they mean GP (doctor) or grandparents

Ha - not always that simple - GP can also mean Guinea Pig, which can lead to confusion when an OP asks for advice on Sexing her GP.....

[ScarletStar]

I'm killing myself laughing at some of these replies especially cm for cervical mucus! (bleeurgh). Ap can also mean adoptive parent or au pair..the biggest killers are phrases boiled down to acronyms, iyswim. And yes it took me ages to get that one!

[ScarletStar]

Sometimes I think just bloody write it out, you're only saving seconds!

[ColdTeaAgain]

Found them a bit irritating when I joined mumsnet and vowed not to use them in my posts... But you find yourself using them without even noticing you're doing it

[MimsyBorogroves]

Eeeew at sexing GPs.

[MimsyBorogroves]

Mind you, I always thought STBX was shorthand for 'shitbox'.

[babyfedleaning]

I thought CM was cervical mucous!

[CalamitouslyWrong]

Babyfedleaning: that must have made the 'CM should be harder to avoid' thread title really confusing for you.

[GreenShadow]

Don't forget MN has kindly provided us with a (long) list of Acronyms at the bottom of the page (or here)

[Noregretsatall]

No you're not alone, it often baffles and frustrates me too and I give up on reading something because I can't understand it...

[NymodigFruOla]

LOL isn't an MN specific acronym though, is it?

When I first lurked/joined (a few years ago) I didn't know what EA meant. Depending on the thread it can mean either Estate Agent or Emotional Abuse.

The acronyms do need updating, I think.

[ScarletStar]

No it's not a MN specific acronym, you're right. I was just meaning that I have cringed at myself for using one in real life.

In an ideal world, you would see an acronym and hover your mouse over it where a little tag would appear with the full word. I know that's impossible here on Mumsnet but I don't like having to use a forum with an interpretive guide! I will continue with the fun of lazy guessing. :)