Putting age in brackets

[TheChippendenSpook]

Where has this come from? Someone will start writing a post and put their age in brackets. For example:
'I (36f) would like to take my friend (34m) out for the day to a theme park.'

I'm just curious as I keep seeing it more and more on here and it winds me up for some reason.

I see it on certain Reddit forums...maybe it's from there.

I think it's helpful with children - it's not always clear whether DS3 is the poster's third son, or is three years old (or possibly both) but DS (3) is now understandable. Sometimes I think it just spills over into other posts. Or it's habit from reading newspaper articles that always add ages (especially women's!).

Because everything and everyone has to be labeled these days.

I actually currently have a DS2 (2), though rarely post about him I guess.

It’s been common on Internet forums for ages. It provides context, and stops the endless steam of “how old are you?” After each post.

Its a requirement on some Reddit boards; which might contribute to some overlap here.

I haven't noticed that but I hope it doesn't catch on. Unless it's a key point to the discussion who cares how old you are

One thing I saw on a posted recently really confused me as I thought it to do with age, I can't remember the exact words of the title but it included 38/40 which I thought was an indication of an age range. But, no, it meant 38 weeks pregnant, where has that come from? When did we stop saying 38 weeks?

It’s a Reddit thing, I think.

@AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair

I haven't noticed that but I hope it doesn't catch on. Unless it's a key point to the discussion who cares how old you are

One thing I saw on a posted recently really confused me as I thought it to do with age, I can't remember the exact words of the title but it included 38/40 which I thought was an indication of an age range. But, no, it meant 38 weeks pregnant, where has that come from? When did we stop saying 38 weeks?

38/40 is really common abbreviation in medical/nursing notes.

I think it's useful no matter where it came from. Sometimes on a relationship question it's good to know if it's a 24 year old woman and an 86 year old man in the couple, or two 93 year old women, or two 17 year old men or whatever. It helps tailor your advice more.

I also think it's useful with kids to be more specific about age - a 'one year old' could be 13 months or 23 months and that's a huge range from a developmental point of view.