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AIBU?

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Original poster

Am I Being Unreasonable (AIBU) - how to introduce an acronym

41 replies

Maestoso · 05/06/2024 06:27

Am I Being Unreasonable (AIBU) to say that the correct way to introduce an acronym is to write it in full first and then add the acronym in brackets. This way everyone knows what the acronym stands for.

I keep reading threads where acronyms are used without first using the full form and it's frustrating to be guessing or googling when the correct form wouldn't be difficult to include at the first mention, whether it be the opening post or subsequent comments.

AIBU is being used for illustrative purposes only. I appreciate we all know what that means.

OP posts:
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LaMarschallin · 10/12/2024 09:50

Usually I can guess what any unknown acronyms mean from context, although I still always see "GP" as "general practitioner" first and for a brief moment wonder why the family doctor would have opinions on, say, a child's Christmas presents.
The thing that mildly irritates me is starting a thread on a non AIBU thread with "To...". For example, in Relationships: "To have the ick because he slurps" or whatever.
Either add "AIBU" or phrase the question differently.
(Yes, I can still understand the question.
Yes, I have other things to think about.)

Sharkishark · 10/12/2024 09:35

No, AIBU is slang @Yellowhammer09, I have researched it on the internet. Here is the reference: https://slangsense.com/meaning/aibu

Abitofalark · 05/06/2024 15:56

Chambers dictionary (online):
"acronym noun a word made from the first letters or syllables of other words, and usually pronounced as a word in its own right, eg NATO. Compare abbreviation, contraction, initialism. acronymicadj.
ETYMOLOGY: 1940s: from Greek akron point or tip + onyma name."

Jenepeuxpasdiscuteravecdesstupides · 05/06/2024 13:19

MereDintofPandiculation · 05/06/2024 12:40

Don’t you mean “pronounceable” rather than “understandable”. No-one understands NASA except in the context of “National Aeronautics and Space Administration”. It wasn’t a word previously

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Semantics, but yes!

YellowHairband · 05/06/2024 12:55

Maestoso · 05/06/2024 06:39

Thanks for the list, where does it hide? Unfortunately, it's not exhaustive. I've come across VAWG on another thread. And it says BF stands for breast feeding with no mention of DBF, which might be best friend or boyfriend and often confuses readers. And then people use DD to mean dad or daughter rather than the acronym per the list.

How would you decide when it needs an explanation and when it doesn't? I thought VAWG was a fairly well understood acronym so wouldn't think to write it out, especially since I imagine it would be used in context.
Or would you write it out for all initials ("British broadcasting corporation (BBC)")?

ExpressCheckout · 05/06/2024 12:49

OP, IIRC, AIBU to think that MN acronyms like YANBU, TBH, and FWIW can be OTT? IMO, they make posts hard to read. BTW, there's an MN list that explains them all. HTH!

IME, once you RTFT, you'll LOL at FFS, JFGI, and even SWI. IMHO, getting the hang of it makes you a true MNer. YY, it's a PITA at first, but GL! Cake

TitusMoan · 05/06/2024 12:41

Maestoso · 05/06/2024 06:39

Thanks for the list, where does it hide? Unfortunately, it's not exhaustive. I've come across VAWG on another thread. And it says BF stands for breast feeding with no mention of DBF, which might be best friend or boyfriend and often confuses readers. And then people use DD to mean dad or daughter rather than the acronym per the list.

Just have a little think. Try to work it out for yourself. VAWG is easily google-able. The others you’ll work out in time. Use your brain…

MereDintofPandiculation · 05/06/2024 12:40

Jenepeuxpasdiscuteravecdesstupides · 05/06/2024 10:43

An acronym is where the initial letters make an understandable word, such as NATO, WHO, NASA
DD, DS, DH are initialisms because they don't make a word

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Don’t you mean “pronounceable” rather than “understandable”. No-one understands NASA except in the context of “National Aeronautics and Space Administration”. It wasn’t a word previously

MereDintofPandiculation · 05/06/2024 12:36

Revelatio · 05/06/2024 06:56

They’re not acronyms, they’re initialisms. Unless instead of pronouncing AIBU as individual letter you pronounce it ‘ayboo’?

Well, yes of course! Who says “ay I be you” when they could say “aybu”?

GinToBegin · 05/06/2024 12:29

TheDandyLion · 05/06/2024 10:29

What does NC mean?

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Depending on how it’s used, either name changed or no contact.

Jenepeuxpasdiscuteravecdesstupides · 05/06/2024 10:43

Bananazebra · 05/06/2024 06:50

They are acronyms

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An acronym is where the initial letters make an understandable word, such as NATO, WHO, NASA
DD, DS, DH are initialisms because they don't make a word

TheDandyLion · 05/06/2024 10:29

Maestoso · 05/06/2024 06:50

Okay, I get the point. NC.

What does NC mean?

GinToBegin · 05/06/2024 10:02

I’d generally agree with you, OP, particularly with reports, letters, promotional material etc. But the internet generally, and MN specifically rely on a degree of brevity, and have so many widely used and understood acronyms, that I think you just have to accept it, and ask for clarification if/when you need it.

CelesteCunningham · 05/06/2024 07:18

Revelatio · 05/06/2024 06:56

They’re not acronyms, they’re initialisms. Unless instead of pronouncing AIBU as individual letter you pronounce it ‘ayboo’?

I've been here so long YANBU and YABU are definitely yanboo and yaboo in my head. Grin

MargaretThursday · 05/06/2024 07:18

Tsmdncop

Bananazebra · 05/06/2024 07:16

I pronounce all initialisations as acronyms. See phonejacker from the early 2000s

I concede that I was wrong

nobeans · 05/06/2024 07:15

The worst one is BM which is Bowel Movement or "Birth Mum"

LongSinceGotUpAndGone · 05/06/2024 07:03

It's worth doing on Mumsnet if there is any chance of misunderstanding. E.g. I've seen 'GP' on here used to mean General Practitioner, Grandparent and Guinea Pig. Usually the context will make it obvious, of course, but not always.

WittiestUsernameEver · 05/06/2024 07:03

OooSorryDoctor · 05/06/2024 06:59

i agree, if it deviates from the obvious it should be noted in the first thread if it’s going to be used again. If it’s only once then why not just type it out 🤷‍♀️ I saw SD the other day and it definitely wasn’t stepdaughter or dad (wrong context) and I couldn’t work it out

So what?

Move on and read another thread, or just ask.

Original poster
Maestoso · 05/06/2024 07:03

Yellowhammer09 · 05/06/2024 06:58

AIBU is neither an acronym nor an abbreviation, it's an initialism 😉

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Thanks, noted.

OP posts:
WittiestUsernameEver · 05/06/2024 07:02

WGAF? it's just an internet chat board.

DS..DC.. etc are used all over the internet.
People seem to think it's an MN specific thing... it Just isn't.

OooSorryDoctor · 05/06/2024 06:59

i agree, if it deviates from the obvious it should be noted in the first thread if it’s going to be used again. If it’s only once then why not just type it out 🤷‍♀️ I saw SD the other day and it definitely wasn’t stepdaughter or dad (wrong context) and I couldn’t work it out

Original poster
Maestoso · 05/06/2024 06:58

Bananazebra · 05/06/2024 06:50

They are acronyms

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I've always thought so. But it depends on where you get your definition. Some say it's only an acronym if the initial letters are pronounceable as word, like AIDS or NASA and that DD (dear dog in this case, for those who may be wondering) is an abbreviation. Whereas I think capitalised initial letters are acronyms and abbreviations are things like appt. for appointment.

OP posts:
Yellowhammer09 · 05/06/2024 06:58

Bananazebra · 05/06/2024 06:50

They are acronyms

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AIBU is neither an acronym nor an abbreviation, it's an initialism 😉

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