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Original poster

Bloody acronyms on Mumsnet!

33 replies

ScarletStar · 27/03/2014 12:21

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..!

OP posts:
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DoYouEverFeelLikeAPlasticBag · 03/04/2014 12:36

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

This made me laugh!

I live in fear of referring to my DP as "My DP" in polite Real life conversation....

AnUnearthlyChild · 29/03/2014 17:39

Another one who rear it as Stupid Twat Bastard Ex

Maybe that one should go on acronyms

Raxacoricofallapatorius · 29/03/2014 17:35

I also read STBX as stupid twonk, bastard ex. I refuse to mentally amend it.

The acronyms are an important part of our shared community. You get used to them. Even SIOB and TSSDNCOP.

MNHQ
KateSMumsnet · 29/03/2014 17:24

Arf at Stupid Twat Bastard Ex!

We do have an acronym list here. Wonder whether we should add Stupid Twat Bastard Ex

Hessy · 28/03/2014 20:56

Pear, I also thought it was Stupid Twat Bastard Ex! Only very recently had it corrected.

nannynick · 28/03/2014 20:51

Think I created a new one today... TFC (Tax Free Childcare). That may get a lot more use in 2016/17.

It does get confusing but it is so much easier when typing on a tiny mobile phone keypad to shorten words/phrases.

The CM one got me confused for a while, as so used to seeing it on the Childminders/nannies board as meaning Childminder. Often though the context of which board the message thread appears helps identify the correct meaning. Chat/AIBU boards are tricky as the subjects vary widely.

TrevaronGirl · 28/03/2014 13:04

It's the medical or quasi-medical ones that often stump me.

ThePearShapedToad · 28/03/2014 12:45

It took me aaaaaaaages to work out STBX stood for soon-to-be-ex

I spent the first months on mn reading it as

Stupid T@at Bastard Ex.....

Blush
Original poster
ScarletStar · 27/03/2014 22:48

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. :)

OP posts:
NymodigFruOla · 27/03/2014 15:39

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.

Noregretsatall · 27/03/2014 14:47

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...

GreenShadow · 27/03/2014 14:42

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

CalamitouslyWrong · 27/03/2014 14:42

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

babyfedleaning · 27/03/2014 14:37

I thought CM was cervical mucous! Blush

MimsyBorogroves · 27/03/2014 14:35

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

MimsyBorogroves · 27/03/2014 14:34

Eeeew at sexing GPs. Grin

ColdTeaAgain · 27/03/2014 14:31

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 Grin

Original poster
ScarletStar · 27/03/2014 14:30

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

OP posts:
Original poster
ScarletStar · 27/03/2014 14:28

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!

OP posts:
RustyBear · 27/03/2014 14:23

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.....

RedandChecker · 27/03/2014 14:00

Grin not girn Hmm

RedandChecker · 27/03/2014 14:00

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

Nocomet · 27/03/2014 13:59

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.

MirandaWest · 27/03/2014 13:57

CM could also be cervical mucus #helpful

TypicaLibra · 27/03/2014 13:57

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.