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AIBU?

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Original poster

For the love of God, everybody it's etc for et cetera. Not ECT

186 replies

Moulez · 01/02/2026 21:40

I know I'm not being unreasonable, but just please agree so that we can educate people,
Without rules, where are we?

OP posts:
FiveShelties · 02/02/2026 01:04

Moulez · 02/02/2026 00:44

Not everyone who post on Mumsnet is misspelling when they're in domestically abusive situations

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Hopefully they are not. I always feel that if you try to draw attention to a poster's spelling or grammar you have to be absolutely sure that your own posts are free from error. Failure to do that could make you look a bit of an idiot.🙄

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 02/02/2026 01:03

It's correct if you are referring to ECT treatment [sic].
😉

Ladyluckinred · 02/02/2026 01:00

StopYuckingMyYum · 02/02/2026 00:46

Are you ok?

That's what you took from my post?

Blimey.

Show quote history

Ignore the OP - she’s complaining about people writing ‘etc.’ incorrectly while doing the same herself. If she’s going to comment on people’s SPaG, her punctuation should be perfect! I honestly don’t care about a poster’s SPaG, but it’s annoying when the OP acts like we should give ‘carte blanche’ on mistakes. OP, please make sure you use correct punctuation. Hold yourself to the same standard if you want to make others feel self-conscious!

5foot5 · 02/02/2026 00:55

EBearhug · 02/02/2026 00:46

It could be a reference to Molesworth.

X-post!

Oopsylazy · 02/02/2026 00:54

Berlinlover · 02/02/2026 00:52

It’s annoying but loose instead of lose drives me insane.

Oh God yes, and that especially is everywhere with all the weight loss/injection threads!!

I’m on them and it’s literally 95% of people don’t know it’s “lose”!

5foot5 · 02/02/2026 00:54

StopYuckingMyYum · 02/02/2026 00:25

Thankfully MNHQ have been cracking down on the grammar police who humiliate those who aren't fortunate enough to be good at SPAG.

It really does put women off of posting even when they may need advice on domestic violence, care of their children, divorce, schooling or any other important subject you can think of.

If the grammar/typing/spelling of complete strangers annoys you this much, YOU are the one who needs to change or just leave Mumsnet.

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TBH I am very sceptical of this.

I really do think that most people who post on Mumsnet are sensitive enough to recognise when a poster is in really dire straits and can see past inaccurate SPAG. I can't think of (m)any threads I have seen recently where an OP posts about some truly awful situation and is then confronted with reprimands for saying "would of" rather than "would have".

But in less serious contexts I don't think you can expect people to ignore all howlers.

However, the only point I really wanted to make to the OP, @Moulez, is it OK for people to say ect, ect, if they are clearly quoting Nigel Molesworth?

Berlinlover · 02/02/2026 00:52

It’s annoying but loose instead of lose drives me insane.

Oopsylazy · 02/02/2026 00:50

I haven’t actually seen this. One I am seeing a lot is “I can’t bare it” etc. instead of bear.

However I wouldn’t be so rude as to point it out.

StopYuckingMyYum · 02/02/2026 00:46

Moulez · 02/02/2026 00:44

Not everyone who post on Mumsnet is misspelling when they're in domestically abusive situations

Show quote history

Are you ok?

That's what you took from my post?

Blimey.

EBearhug · 02/02/2026 00:46

It could be a reference to Molesworth.

Original poster
Moulez · 02/02/2026 00:44

StopYuckingMyYum · 02/02/2026 00:25

Thankfully MNHQ have been cracking down on the grammar police who humiliate those who aren't fortunate enough to be good at SPAG.

It really does put women off of posting even when they may need advice on domestic violence, care of their children, divorce, schooling or any other important subject you can think of.

If the grammar/typing/spelling of complete strangers annoys you this much, YOU are the one who needs to change or just leave Mumsnet.

Show quote history

Not everyone who post on Mumsnet is misspelling when they're in domestically abusive situations

OP posts:
Ladyluckinred · 02/02/2026 00:43

“For the love of God, everybody it's etc for et cetera. Not ECT”

Also, correct me if I’m wrong, but when using ‘etc.’ in a sentence, it should include a full stop.

StopYuckingMyYum · 02/02/2026 00:38

saltinesandcoffeecups · 02/02/2026 00:29

Well if nobody can understand them well enough to offer help 🤷‍♀️

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Rubbish

You'd have to be thick as a plank to not understand what someone who typed ect instead of etc actually meant.

And as for anyone who wouldn't pick the person up at the time, do you not think those who are less fortunate when it comes to education/understanding SPAG might be reading this constantly reoccurring thread, with people taking the piss?

Just be grateful that in a day and age where internet forums and the typed word is so popular, you can get by without others laughing and being 'annoyed' at you and people like you being less able.

Vaguelyclassical · 02/02/2026 00:36

BuddhaAtSea · 01/02/2026 21:51

It stems from school though. My DD went through an English schooling system and still thinks it’s not that important how she spells. But she makes an effort with me, because it genuinely grates me.

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I went through the English schooling system and was taught it was very important indeed how I spelled. When did things change?

Ladyluckinred · 02/02/2026 00:33

Moulez · 01/02/2026 21:40

I know I'm not being unreasonable, but just please agree so that we can educate people,
Without rules, where are we?

OP, it should be a full stop after ‘people’ if you start the next sentence with a capital letter.

Funnywonder · 02/02/2026 00:32

StopYuckingMyYum · 02/02/2026 00:25

Thankfully MNHQ have been cracking down on the grammar police who humiliate those who aren't fortunate enough to be good at SPAG.

It really does put women off of posting even when they may need advice on domestic violence, care of their children, divorce, schooling or any other important subject you can think of.

If the grammar/typing/spelling of complete strangers annoys you this much, YOU are the one who needs to change or just leave Mumsnet.

Show quote history

Oof! I took that comment as lighthearted but maybe it isn’t. I hate it when people correct others’ SPAG but I reckon having a thread to moan about it in isolation is fine. But Pedants’ Corner is the probably best place for it.

MissedItByThisMuch · 02/02/2026 00:30

Yes, I’ve been loosing my mind over this.

MarthaBeach · 02/02/2026 00:30

StopYuckingMyYum · 02/02/2026 00:27

Oh I see lots of others have joined in with the humiliation of those who struggle with this sort of thing.

Well done.

I guess women in need will need to find a different forum when they're desperate for help.

👏👏👏

I'm talking about what I hear and see in real life. I would never correct someone on MN.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 02/02/2026 00:29

StopYuckingMyYum · 02/02/2026 00:27

Oh I see lots of others have joined in with the humiliation of those who struggle with this sort of thing.

Well done.

I guess women in need will need to find a different forum when they're desperate for help.

👏👏👏

Well if nobody can understand them well enough to offer help 🤷‍♀️

MarthaBeach · 02/02/2026 00:28

I'm with you on et cetera / ecksetera OP, my DD insists that everyone says ecksetera, so I've been noticing it, and - good grief, it's true. I really really hate it! The only people who say it correctly are serious journalists.

StopYuckingMyYum · 02/02/2026 00:27

Oh I see lots of others have joined in with the humiliation of those who struggle with this sort of thing.

Well done.

I guess women in need will need to find a different forum when they're desperate for help.

👏👏👏

StopYuckingMyYum · 02/02/2026 00:25

Moulez · 01/02/2026 21:46

I think everyone should have carte blanche to correct people on Mumsnet until we've wiped it out

Thankfully MNHQ have been cracking down on the grammar police who humiliate those who aren't fortunate enough to be good at SPAG.

It really does put women off of posting even when they may need advice on domestic violence, care of their children, divorce, schooling or any other important subject you can think of.

If the grammar/typing/spelling of complete strangers annoys you this much, YOU are the one who needs to change or just leave Mumsnet.

Original poster
Moulez · 02/02/2026 00:21

You lot need to put your sandles in the Chester drawers and go to bed.

OP posts:
Original poster
Moulez · 02/02/2026 00:20

LancashireButterPie · 01/02/2026 21:59

Sounds like you need a rest bite 😆

lol

OP posts:
JaneIves · 01/02/2026 22:09

I think you need a lie down on a chez lounge.