To have not worked out what this means ?!

[clarella]

Drip feeding?

I'm still in the dark about what it is and wouldn't want to do it! Please enlighten me!

It's when an OP starts a thread. Then later on gives more relevant information. Then later some more...

It's generally an accusation levied at the more... sensational threads involving bridge dwellers.

It's where you fail to give all relevant info in the first post and keep adding axtra bits in after.

Not giving the whole story at the start, and then adding in really important bits later.

e.g.
AIBU to not let my 18yr old go out on their own?

Answer in a chorus: Yes YABU

Drip feed: but they have severe learning difficulties and operate at the age of a 4 year old.

Ok thanks - sorry what's a bridge dweller?! A troll?

But what an op poses a complex problem and questions are asked which prompt more info as well as opening more feelings from the op? I'm thinking more relationship stuff which might not include all relevant info in the first post?

Threads are started with deliberately vague information written in a way to get masses of sympathy or everyone to agree with them then later reveal vital facts that change everything and so everyone piles in again to criticise those who first replied

Or op may not see it as relevant.

Thanks , I get the 18 yr old illustration.

Ah ok so someone almost attention seeking?

It means adding information in subsequent posts which aren't just overlooked details or clarifications, but seriously important parts of the story.

A (fictional) example: "my DH had a vasectomy 3 years ago, but I've just had a BFP how is this possible?" which garners huge amounts of medical detail and support/ideas on how to break it to DH, the OP then adds "I'm sure he won't take it well as he's been so suspicious since he discovered my affair, even though I thought we were getting through it". Then "well, I'm still seeing OM"

Ah ok Auntie.

I just worry as I've wanted to post about some relationship issues but I'm not sure I totally know what's relevant or not!

Thanks for your replies. If I get to the point where I need to post I'll try very hard not to drip feed!

Ah ok so someone almost attention seeking?

Not necessarily.
It could be that they just failed to give the whole story or it could be they are getting a load of YABU shouted back at them so the story gets added or embellished.

Drip feeding is doing it drip by drip, not telling the full story. You could be accused of it or be doing it accidentally purely because you didn't see one thing as relevant to the story, when some posters think it is, or you could be doing it on purpose, to be a bit goady.

Sometimes a story changes significantly because the OP is getting flamed. Then they come up with important details that somehow got omitted from the OP and it can often look as if they're trying to get everyone "onside", then they get accused of drip feeding and possibly trolling.

Lol! Your op is a bit of a drip feed ;-) You started off by making out that you don't know what it means then added the bits about wanting
to start a thread in relationships, iyswim

Lol yes I'm aware of that! But surely sometimes it's unavoidable? In most situations there's a bigger picture, and a post can be the tip of the iceberg? Plus someone who's confused and distressed may not initially be very coherent?

And what is a bridge dweller?

I think drip feeding is most common when OP blatantly thinks there is no way in the world they have been AIBU and when the whole of MN says YABU the OP then says "well of course there's a backstory, my MIL punched a kitten in the face then bared her arse at primary school kids - THAT'S why I think she's a bad person".

MIL stories nearly always involve a lot of drip-feeding.

The MIL starts out sounding like an eccentric but relatively harmless person in the OP then when people challenge the OP the picture gradually gets filled in to include lurid tales of awfulness.