Am I Being Unreasonable (AIBU) - how to introduce an acronym

[Maestoso]

Am I Being Unreasonable (AIBU) to say that the correct way to introduce an acronym is to write it in full first and then add the acronym in brackets. This way everyone knows what the acronym stands for.

I keep reading threads where acronyms are used without first using the full form and it's frustrating to be guessing or googling when the correct form wouldn't be difficult to include at the first mention, whether it be the opening post or subsequent comments.

AIBU is being used for illustrative purposes only. I appreciate we all know what that means.

Yes, YABU

https://www.mumsnet.com/i/acronyms

Hth

Thanks for the list, where does it hide? Unfortunately, it's not exhaustive. I've come across VAWG on another thread. And it says BF stands for breast feeding with no mention of DBF, which might be best friend or boyfriend and often confuses readers. And then people use DD to mean dad or daughter rather than the acronym per the list.

If in doubt, ask.

Well, formally, yes. That is correct style/form.
However, this is MN, and you will be firmly told that there is a page outlining the acronyms and initialisms used here.
Learn them off by heart, because threads asking questions such as this, are a magnet for the cauldron watchers

Yes, the number of dear/darling sons on here who have got their grandfathers pregnant is astonishing.

And they're not acronyms. They're abbreviations.

Not sure I understand the issue, yes people sometimes use the same abbreviations for different things, but context is everything and it's almost always obvious. When it isn't, it's usually because the OP has a poor writing style generally.

Writing on a forum doesn't need formal styles. This is chit chat with a friend, not a dissertation.

You'll pick it up quickly, and if in doubt, ask.

Okay, I get the point. NC.

They are acronyms

Were I writing a formal report, yes. But as this is an Internet forum then no, that's not how it's done. It's absolutely unnecessary as well when most people can work it out.

Just RTFT and you will get a jist as to whether the OP is talking about daughter or dad or breast feeding!😄

There are lots, true.
But people would start to look a bit daft if they wrote "my best friend (BF) did X" etc.
The acronyms used on MN are universal enough by now surely? And the context of a thread should be enough to tell you whether it's best friend, boyfriend, or breastfeeding.

(I didn't know the VAWG one either, but the context of the thread makes it clear enough)

They’re not acronyms, they’re initialisms. Unless instead of pronouncing AIBU as individual letter you pronounce it ‘ayboo’?

In formal writing yes. On a forum. No.

I'm going to start doing that

VAWG isn’t a MN term, it’s commonly used.
https://www.kent.police.uk/police-forces/kent-police/areas/kent-police/about-us/tackling-violence-against-women-and-girls/#:~:text=The%20term%20VAWG%20covers%20a,of%20any%20of%20these%20offences.

AIBU is neither an acronym nor an abbreviation, it's an initialism 😉

I've always thought so. But it depends on where you get your definition. Some say it's only an acronym if the initial letters are pronounceable as word, like AIDS or NASA and that DD (dear dog in this case, for those who may be wondering) is an abbreviation. Whereas I think capitalised initial letters are acronyms and abbreviations are things like appt. for appointment.

i agree, if it deviates from the obvious it should be noted in the first thread if it’s going to be used again. If it’s only once then why not just type it out 🤷‍♀️ I saw SD the other day and it definitely wasn’t stepdaughter or dad (wrong context) and I couldn’t work it out

WGAF? it's just an internet chat board.

DS..DC.. etc are used all over the internet.
People seem to think it's an MN specific thing... it Just isn't.

Thanks, noted.

So what?

Move on and read another thread, or just ask.

It's worth doing on Mumsnet if there is any chance of misunderstanding. E.g. I've seen 'GP' on here used to mean General Practitioner, Grandparent and Guinea Pig. Usually the context will make it obvious, of course, but not always.

The worst one is BM which is Bowel Movement or "Birth Mum"