...to ask why everyone has to be 'Darling'?

[PBo83]

OK, so I'm relatively new around these parts so I'm likely to be lynched. But WHY is everyone 'Darling' (DD, DH, DC, DS...etc?)

I understand the use of acronyms but why the added 'D'? Besides. it takes two seconds to type 'daughter' or 'husband' or whatever (even less for 'son' or 'kids'). From that point you can then refer to them as 'him', 'her', them or whatever so it's hardly a hardship.

I fully expect an army of pitchfork wielding Mumsnetter's to turn up at my door any minute but this unnecessary 'darling' nonsense is truly cringeworthy!

Or it could be 'dear' or 'damned' or 'doomed'. . .

I think it means 'dear' but I agree it's weird

I think it means dear.

Why do people join mumsnet to complain about acronyms?

"I think it means 'dear' but I agree it's weird"

Thanks @rebelrosie I think my wife was the one who told me it was darling. She's the one I blame for single-handedly ruining my productivity by introducing me to AIBU!

Either way, it's a bit cringy and vomit-inducing isn't it!?

It's not 'Darling' it's 'Dear' and it's actually not a Mumsnet invention. It's been around on the internet for yonks. I first encountered it in the AOL chat rooms over 20 years ago.

I don't like the 'd's so I don't use them. Other people clearly do. DDog makes me laugh though because it's longer to write- I assume they have clever pooches who would be offended if they weren't dear or darling.

it's just (for some reason) the way it's always been on many forums before mumsnet existed.. and everyone (mostly) knows what it means now so

@SunnyTikka - Ahhh chatrooms, kids these days will never know the...errr...joys?

When I first joined Mumsnet I never used the acronym DH etc but over time I started doing it despite thinking it's daft
I often don't understand some of the acronyms but can't be arsed looking them up.

MN is an established community.

Just like any community in real life it has developed a language, a history, “in jokes” and a code of conduct (both written and unwritten). It can take time for new members to get up to speed.

It’s fine to ask “why?” it’s not fine to come in and say (as quite regularly happens) “I’ve been here two minutes, I think you are all dreadful, the acronyms are stupid and swearing should be banned”

Use of the acronyms isn’t obligatory, no one will ever comment if you don’t choose to use them.

Sometimes I read a thread and wonder if it ought to mean 'deceased'

I don't find it "vomit inducing" at all, I read it in my head as "dee aitch" not "darling/dear husband" and I've been used to DH meaning husband for years now. If people just typed "H" or "S" or "D" it would be far more confusing, especially with all the typos/autocorrects that go on.

I can't bear it. I literally can't bring myself to use it for members of my family. I would never call them Dear Whatever in real life, so I don't do it online.

It's also very confusing since so many of them have multiple possible meanings.

Oh ffs there was an exactly the same whinging post last week. Just get behind it or don't, I do not care. But don't moan about something some of us have used for YEARS.

It's also very confusing since so many of them have multiple possible meanings

DF - dear friend or father
BF - best friend, boyfriend, breast feeding
DSS - dear step sister, step son
DS - dear sister, dear son

Interestingly, MIL, PIL, SIL, BIL, PIL usually don’t have the “D” prefix 😁

It’s only confusing very occasionally. The meaning is pretty obvious from the context 9 times out of ten.

it's an old internet acronym - not just MN specific

The D to me let's me know it's a husband or child or best friend etc and not the initial of a person being discussed.

Eg. Friend A and friend B have fallen out after A found out that B has been sleeping with A's B (brother).

And as others have already mentioned, the D is a well established Internet forum acronym, even before MN.

So nice of you to join and tell us where we are going wrong.

It annoys me too. I refuse to use them, just like I refuse to use text speak.

Oh and BTW, are you a man OP?

Because we laydeees sit here waiting with bated breath for men to come along and share his opinions of MN.

Another one that gets confusing at times is GP. Do they mean dr, grandparent or guinea Pig?

Found it odd at first. Got used to it now.
Don't even register the 'dear' any more.
It's fine.

And fiancé is another DF