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Help us update the acronyms/abbreviations list please

132 replies

HelenMumsnet · 16/04/2010 13:38

Hello.

It's been pointed out to us a few times now that our Acronyms and abbrevations list needs updating.

So, since you're the ones who really know your AIBUs from your AFAIKs, please tell us what you think should get the chop (if anything) and what needs adding.

TTFN (not that one, pls!)

MNHQ

OP posts:
DramaInPyjamas · 18/04/2010 18:34

Have seen DTD around on quite a few threads - does anyone know what it means?

@ smac
I would also like to know how boak became such a widely used word on Mumsnet! Being from Scotland, I use it quite a lot here and in RL, funny to see it used so regularly!

leavingonajetplane · 18/04/2010 18:08

Apologies BitofFun I was well aware you mean nothing flippant using it and should have mentioned that. Its just become used in a flippant, in-joke manner by some posters and my guess would be giving it an acronym might triiger some of them to do it more.

Kristina I did have the same POV you have - I thought it was great and awareness-raising and posted to say so.

But Ive unfortunately seen it used as a joke quite a few times -

Ive seen it used with big smiley faces when posters are talking about their ex-husbands dalliances, or even someone behaving badly after drinking a lot. I dont like how some posters think its a line to pop in when anyone is talking about any bad behaviour.

I dont know why they think its funny no.

Its great when it is being said as a genuine point, yes, especially when someone then realises there are less visible special needs. The majority of the time it is being said genuinely and thats very helpful. But sometimes it really isnt.

Depends on the poster I guess.

I do think skipping an acronym for it could help keep it at the level of a genuine statement as much as possible.

ronx · 18/04/2010 17:43

It took me ages to work out that OH stood for 'other half'.

DrivenToDistraction · 18/04/2010 17:23

Nah, it's LMGTFY, give it a try...

BelleDameSansMerci · 18/04/2010 13:10

CBA - can't be arsed?

cariboo · 18/04/2010 12:46

BM = bowel movement?

Niecie · 18/04/2010 12:06

One I have seen used elsewhere which I would personally use is JFGI. (Just fucking Google it) - for those pointless posts when Googling would be a whole lot quicker than posting on here and waiting for somebody to reply.

How about DFTT - don't feed the troll?

Pingpong · 18/04/2010 10:46

staying out of the UTGSN debate as I've not come across it and rarely go to AIBU but some other frequently used acronyms that I've come across are
CC - controlled crying
CIO - cry it out
I am chuckling to myself that ilovepiccolina thought that BOAK was an acronym. It's Scottish slang for vomit and I've not been on MN long enough to know how it came about to be such a widely used MN phrase but given that the demographics of MN are not Scottish I'm intrigued to know why it has become an MN phrase?
thumbwitch no idea about WIMBEWAIN and it doesn't come up in google so must be another made up one!
I thought EBF could mean
Exclusively Breast Fed or
Extended Breast Feeding
and
EMB exclusively breast milk or expressed breast milk
so depends on context but can be confusing.

KristinaM · 18/04/2010 09:53

i have never seen " well the child might have special needs" used as a joke here.

why would anyone think this was funny?

there are so many posts saying stuff like " oh shock horror i saw a 6yo being spoon fed/having a tantrum/throwing food etc last week, isn't that terrible? "

and when other posters say " Perhaps the child had special needs", the op says " oh no, they didn't look as if they did and they didn't use a wheelchair"

don't you think that such posters need to have their awareness raised just a little???? why is this a joke?

BitOfFun · 17/04/2010 23:16

Oh, I'm sorry that that's upset you, leaving- I certainly wouldn't want it to be a totally silly flippant thing that would cause offense.

If it helps, I kind of coined it, and I do have a daughter with very profound learning disabilities. I just got fed up with seeing people jump in on AIBU with the point, when it was obvious that the OP didn't apply to children like mine.

But if you think it would be used in an unpleasant way, then I take your point.

leavingonajetplane · 17/04/2010 20:32

Please not UTGSN.

Yes I get its a mumsnet in-joke, yes I get it can be funny, used with some discerment.

But the phrase gets used very badly already without giving it an ancronym.

Its horrible to open a thread about a behaviour most people are condemning highly and immediately get some wag going "Unless Theyve Got Special Needs" chortle chortle

People think its funny as its been rasied and debated so often so its just part of the routine to them but it doesnt desensitise the parents of SN children to the phrase.

I was initially delighted that that level of understanding was being put forward by lots of different posters on mumsnet.

And then Ive watched it become a joke to say it.

Its really just depressing after a day dealing with the struggles of your SN child to see how amusing that "joke" is to some posters now.

Write the whole phrase and mean it if you want to offer a genuine disclaimer

Pingpong · 17/04/2010 20:28

EWCM - egg white cervical mucus

Eglu · 17/04/2010 20:22

What does EWCM mean?

MimsyStarr · 17/04/2010 20:10

No I don't like AF or BD either. Just that they have been used on MN for years and if someone is are googling about the TTC they may be directed to old threads on MN and be left wondering. So I suggested them for historical reasons rather than actually encouraging their continued use.

thumbwitch · 17/04/2010 15:22

I hate AF and BD. Won't use either of them.

However, I would love to know what WIMBEWAIN stands for?

DILLIGAF and the really long one are cool but I haven't the memory for such long acronyms

I would like to see NDS used for Nintendo DS so we don't get bloody confusing posts like "Help! I've just put DD's DS through a wash cycle, what should we do?"

Also, TBF for "to be fair".

I use DGM and DGF for granparents, should the need arise (don't have any left myself so not a common need now)

I quite like the acronym SWI - hadn't seen it before but it fits the bill!

StewieGriffinsMom · 17/04/2010 11:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Kaloki · 17/04/2010 10:00

AF - Aunt Flo aka the curse aka something equally naff aka menstruation

Though, no matter how much I hate Aunt Flo, I still use AF, cos I'm a lazy fucker

purepurple · 17/04/2010 09:37

AF- arseface
but what does it mean on here?
LMAO means laughing my arse off

foofi · 17/04/2010 09:28

I'm always wondering what Imao means.

Kaloki · 17/04/2010 09:27

Haha, you should try AF in that translator! Think I prefer that definition

Cheappinkfizz · 17/04/2010 09:12

Thank you kaloki.

Can it be added to the list please Helen?

purepurple · 17/04/2010 09:11

oh dear
DH is 'pee peehead'
DC is 'don't care'
DW is 'don't worry'
TTC is 'text the cell'
BF is 'boy friend'
FF is 'friendly fire'

maybe MN can make their own translator?

purepurple · 17/04/2010 09:05

I found this

slang and acronym translator
I am going to try it out

Kaloki · 17/04/2010 09:03

WRT - with regards to

Cheappinkfizz · 17/04/2010 08:53

I've WRT quite a few times and have never figured out what it means can someone please tell me

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