Abbreviations

[LadyKalila]

I really dislike the use of abbreviations on Mumsnet. It's lazy and I feel if you are writing something, spell it out! And I don't know what most of them mean.

DoJo

I remember teachers screaming at people using abbreviations instead of "proper English", only to discover that in "olden days" the cost of paper, ink and writing meant almost everything was abbreviated where possible.

I find it amusing that in an age of Twitter, Whatsapp etc, our ancestors would probably feel at home amongst the LOLs and WTFs

A couple of years ago, I was on a course with some youngsters, and I was fascinated and amused in equal measure to hear one say to another (about pinning a sling for an arm)

... so you twist it here, and tuck it there, and IRL you'd use a safety pin ...

How can people not love language ?

I can't remember my personal identification number for my debit card.

ITYM "Personal Identification Number, Number"

Or should that be DorisJohnson, Boris's less known sister?

When I joined I kinda worked it out for myself what they mean. It's not rocket science ffs (for fuck sake) and a bit of common sense sorts it out. Are you generally not adaptable or just here?

Of course, there's one abbreviation you should never say out loud: www.

Worldwide web = three syllables
Double-u, double-u, double-u = nine syllables.

My boss does this in emails (well he doesn't use MNet abbreviations obvs). Today, in reply to a concise but clear email from me, he wrote "Right. Is the TA aware? Can you engage if no". I have no idea who "TA" is or are. I have replied "I can confirm I have engaged the Territorial Army immediately. Have charged appropriate ammunition and grenades to your cost centre". I'm awaiting the response.

When I first joined - 9 years ago - the acronyms list was far easier to find -IIRC there was a link at the top of every page. But I actually printed out the list so I could refer to it when reading threads (this was at home, not work)!!

Double-u, double-u, double-u = nine syllables.

Except that can also be a "wuh" in English - one syllabub ...

"Wuh-wuh-wuh" - 3 syllables.

(Not sure what the French do ?)

With predictive text, it's easy to write - without using abbreviations.

In my opinion. (Now I wrote that as imo!!!)

So, when you write do you really avoid abbreviations like BBC, MMR, UK, laser, GP, MP, pram, (other examples given above)?

So, when you write do you really avoid abbreviations like BBC, MMR, UK, laser, GP, MP, pram, (other examples given above)?

This is very silly of you.

You've been on mn for almost two years Op and you just now decide to raise this? Why did you not get all uppity about it back then?

Nah Joe it's taken that long to decipher the posts.

This is very silly of you.

You didn't answer my question, but I take it then that you do use many abbreviations when you write and speak, such as the ones I and others have listed. So, that's what others find silly - that you happily use some abbreviations, but then object to other abbreviations because those are less familiar to you and / or they are only used by a particular group of English speakers.