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Original poster

You know we have acronyms to help new MNer's, well can we have this as well?

39 replies

sorkycake · 08/02/2007 07:26

Further to a recent post about the term "bf mafia" being one of the phrases frowned upon, it occurred to me that there might be other phrases or terms which get people riled immediately, or which people take the hump with.
Sometimes it's not necessarily obvious to new posters or those of us who haven't seen past squabbles/debates that offence could be caused. Yes the offence can be corrected in the thread, but that can be a little embarrassing can it not?
Is it possible to compile a list of terms which MN'ers can agree would be preferable not to use?
I understand that we can say what we like on a forum (well not strictly true) but it might help avoid some awkwardness. Just a thought

OP posts:
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uwila · 08/02/2007 17:03

Excuse me, the appropriate phrase is FFS, not FGS. I mean, if you are going to bring religeon into....

Seriously, I agree, there are some social graces you expect people to show up with and not give to be guided into... although I do realise not everyone seems to display them at all times. But, this is PC gone mad.

Carmenere · 08/02/2007 16:30

Oh FGS we need our predjudices to make us feel superior. But seriously giving newbies hints on how to behave around here is patronising. You either know how to behave or if you don't you learn pretty quickly. It is the same in real life.

uwila · 08/02/2007 16:23

Personally, I find socialism ofensive. Can we ban it?

flutterbee · 08/02/2007 16:06

Surely instead of telling people (newbies) what will or may cause offence, it would be better to have a little note reminding people who have been here longer and should know better that jumping on a new user for using a phrase that may be common place for them is rude and bullying.

fairyfly · 08/02/2007 16:03

Awful idea, censorship, control, revolting

CountessDracula · 08/02/2007 16:01

whoops wrong thread!!

CountessDracula · 08/02/2007 16:00

You know what really helped me when i was in this place

The thought that my craving for a fag was all a big con

It's not like it actually does anything for you is it? Why is it that there are 3000 words for getting drunk, pissed, arseholed etc but not ONE for the effect that smoking has on you (ooh I'm gonna go out and get really nicotined tonight doesn't really sound right does it?)

And that is because....it doesn't DO ANYTHING! All it does is stop you craving a fag. So it it one big con really.

so break the cycle and hey presto (hopefully)

CountessDracula · 08/02/2007 15:57

ooh so it is!

Thanks I'm sure it wasn't last time I looked

SaintGeorge · 08/02/2007 15:56

FFS is on the acronym list CD.

OutBriefCandles · 08/02/2007 15:56

The trouble is that people don't respond in a measured manner but generally with a personal attack, rarely considering that the poster may have used a term inignorance, or not excuising it in any case. And then the point that the [poster was trying to make gets lost in the flack.

Gameboy · 08/02/2007 15:54

No - bad idea. Sorry.

Who decides what's in and what's out?

It's not as simple as saying the users decide 'cos we've seen the sort of arguments that broke out over culturally different uses of words.

WHat might be more useful is some guidance somewhere on how to gently advise a poster that an expression they've used could be offensive... a set of words to cut and paste from somewhere.

Or perhaps a smiley which you use to say - sorry but I find that word 'X' [offensivicon)

CountessDracula · 08/02/2007 15:39

Me too Hunker

Oh, and I do get cross from time to time that FFS is not included in the acronym list

CountessDracula · 08/02/2007 15:39

Well how would you define what was considered offensive? What is offensive to one person is not to another. We would end up with a list as long as your arm (whoops a person with no arms might take offence at me saying that)

I think it is a bad idea personally

hunkermunker · 08/02/2007 15:39

I have realised the reason I object to this is because I like being able to post "fuck" on this site.

Quite what that says about me...

PrettyCandles · 08/02/2007 15:36

And who is to decide what shouldn't be used? If this was implementd it would ignite a worse row than the SN threads busness. At least with that the people reqeusting it had some right to define the needs specific to them, but with this it becomes a matter of personal taste. Frankly i couldn't care less if people talk about bf mafia, use the word "repulsive", or talk about AF. If I don't like what someone has posted I can ignore it or explain tht I find it offensive. It doesn't take away their right to freedom of speech. Or, as I did earlier tofay, I can blow my top at them and either take what's coming to me or apologise for my rudemness, as I did.

IntergalacticWalrus · 08/02/2007 15:03

It's a fine line isn't it? You don;t want MN to become one of those dreadful forums with tickers and the like where you get a bollovking for posting something in the worng place etc.

The think I like about MN is that you can start a topic on what you likem you can say fuck shit and bollocks if you want, and there are no tikers saying "1 day, 4 hours and 3 mins since I last had a poo"

It might be worth having some kind of thing by the add a comment box or something reminding peiople that although this is the internet, the people behind the screennames have real feelings and emotions (and hormones ) and to bear this in mind when posting something that might be sensitive.

And as for BD and aF, I just find them so coy. Bleurgh

Original poster
sorkycake · 08/02/2007 14:58

I disagree about the thin edge of censorship. Noone's saying not to use the terms I just think that it would give a bit of encouragement to those new to posting to check that they could cause offence. If that's what people want to post tho' then be my guest.
Personally I always cringe if I see something written which is a little close to the bone, firstly because of the term itself, and secondly because I know it's going to be picked up by someone, which seems like a public telling off.
I agree about BD & AF btw, horrible americanisms.

OP posts:
WanderingTrolley · 08/02/2007 12:51

you could not of bin more wrong about that hunkermunker

IntergalacticWalrus · 08/02/2007 12:50

No, haven't had a proper period since Feb 2004. Hurrah.

No AFs for me. La la la.

I bet I come on this aftrenoon now, you buggers.

Fimbo · 08/02/2007 12:48

Agree with IGW!

And let them know they can sell stuff on here but no links to what they are selling on Ebay!

CanSleepWontStarve · 08/02/2007 12:47

Oh IGW are you being all moody and forceful because your AF is visiting at the moment?

IntergalacticWalrus · 08/02/2007 12:45

But BD and AF need to go.

hunkermunker · 08/02/2007 12:44

I think there will be too much debate about what's "good" and "frowned upon".

Plus it means I won't be able to newbie-leap and I love doing that

IntergalacticWalrus · 08/02/2007 12:43

Can we not keep AF and BD (baby dancing) I bloody hate them.

What's wrong with saying periods and sex, I ask you?

CanSleepWontStarve · 08/02/2007 12:41

Oh yes, I find the term 'formula feeding' offensive.