...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!

Bahahahahha #welcometoaibu
I like the acronyms. I think AF was my favourite one to work out on my own small victory dance. I also like to occasionally use YABU and YANBU IRL with DP. Says all that needs to be said nice and concisely and diffuses most minor arguments

Oh stop moaning OP. If you don't like it just do one. .

It's weird, and super annoying because everyone uses them differently e.g. DF has been friend, father or fiancé in threads I've read which is really confusing

The 'D' prefix has been around for years and is a general internet thing that is not specific to MN - it was already commonplace in chat rooms in the late 90s. It's also used on other fora and is very common on Reddit.

I consider the "d" as mostly ironic given the relationship boards.

You’ve just discovered another shorthand, PBo83: “You did post on AIBU” means “I can wilfully misinterpret your point and personally attack you with impunity, and god help you if you argue back.”

I get where you’re coming from. I find it cringey too (but still use it because it’s easier). It’s insane people are taking this personally though! It’s not like Mumsnet is a tight knit family. It’s a message board with millions of posters (FFS!)

It's awful. I notice more people are using the actual words rather than the D nonsense, so maybe it will die out. We can live in hope.

I must admit I kind of agree with you op. I hate it when someone is explaining a situation including loads of people and it's constantly DSIS DFiL DH DSS etc. I also can't stand DDog, that one does make me cringe a bit.

I understand though it's what people have done for years and many like it so 🤷‍♀️

OP, are you familiar with the acronym GF?

@Yabbers

GF is either girlfriend or goady fucker on here.
Not what you meant, but it's the perfect example to demonstrate how ridiculous these acronyms are. On top of being cringey - I always think of those who use them as a "hun" even if they claim they are not

"Sanpro" gets me. Who the hell calls it that in real life?

I always think of those who use them as a "hun" even if they claim they are not

So the vast majority of MNers then?

I’m finding it a bit strange that so many posters on this thread continue to use a forum where the vast majority of posts make them “cringe”.

These acronyms aren’t some niche convention used by the occasional poster.

They are an integral part of the language of MN.

You don’t have to use them of course but all these condescending posts aren’t making anyone look good.

@AdaColeman ha!! That made me laugh 😂

Miane they might be an integral part of the forum for you, but not for the rest of us. We use MN despite the acronyms, not because of them...

I can use a forum without bothering reading more than a few words of a thread about DS1 and 2DSS4 and DF DFF DCFN (which would be Dear Cheeky Fucker Neighbour) DSN (dear step-niece?) which make no sense at all. There are endless other threads.

There are endless other threads

There are endless threads which don’t use MN acronyms? Really? I must have missed those.

I don’t always use them myself Callme but I really don’t understand the sneering.

Thanks russiandwarf!

As I said, I like the acronyms, my favourite is ODFOD.

The fact that you do understand thethe acronyms, even if you do not use them, and the way that they are used so widely on MN does make them the lingua franca of MN, though@CallMeVito.

And @Miane is right - don't use them if you don't want to - but is there really any need to sneer, or make nasty, negative judgements about those of us who do?

Because its better than “Bubbas” for DC, which is ehemm, not so sleek. And hurts the eyes to read

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius
the less pleasant remarks are more in reply to the frankly rude posts above than a judgement over the more friendly posters. That's the problem with the troll posts, they tend to attract an over-reaction!

I still don't like calling everyone "dear", and I find the acronyms make the posts a lot harder to read and understand. I am not the only one, there are always people very confused on the worst threads.

I have just googled ODFOD because I couldn't remember what it could mean

Because i do the same, I have noticed that some posters just ignore the acronyms completely, it shows in their answers!

My thanks again to the poster who pointed out (in an earlier incarnation of this perennial thread) that my previous use of idiolect was incorrect, and that the better term here is sociolect. But who agrees that it's a really important linguistic feature marking a sense of belonging

Love it. Every day's a school day on MN.

I feel it may be a regional thing pet.

Love it, @HistoriaTrixie!!