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Pedants' corner
Original poster

to ask what the "MAT" in MAT leave stands for

68 replies

jimmyhill · 07/09/2020 23:40

"MAT leave" makes my teeth itch.

It's not a fucking acronym. What on earth do people imagine it stands for?

Any ideas?

And while we're at it, R.E. for re (as in emails) and ROTA for rota.

NFA: not. fucking. acronyms.

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 08/09/2020 00:11

Well if people are reading in m a t (as in separate letters) it's initialism not an acronym...

CandyLeBonBon · 08/09/2020 00:16

It stands for Made A Tot. Hope that helps Grin

giantangryrooster · 08/09/2020 00:17

Grumpy much? Grin

If you don't like MAT leave add an H sounds better and people might assume you are a MATH Wizz Wink.

MadameBee · 08/09/2020 00:17

Mad As Trump 👍🏻

SummerTimeSunshine · 08/09/2020 00:20

“PIN number” bothers me more.

Staffy1 · 08/09/2020 00:21

Middle All Tubby

Rubybluesy · 08/09/2020 00:22
Confused
giantangryrooster · 08/09/2020 00:24

Or Most Annoying Toddler.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 08/09/2020 00:26
Grin

I really like "Milking and tidying" and "mithered and tired" - very descriptive!

Yes, I get you OP. I also get irritated when acronyms are not capitalised, like Aids. It's AIDS. But ya know, us pedants aren't appreciated much....

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 08/09/2020 00:27

Although I can guarantee that someone is now going to ask if I get irritated by "radar" and "scuba", which I don't.

SNAFU though - should be capitals. Wink Ditto DILLIGAF.

Starwind74 · 08/09/2020 00:32

It is time off after having a baby.

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 08/09/2020 00:33

YABU in CAPS

MomToTwoBabas · 08/09/2020 00:33

😂😂

QuestionableMouse · 08/09/2020 00:35

Radar and scuba have been accepted as words now though so don't really count.

allinadaystwerk · 08/09/2020 00:36

Isn't it telling Matthew to get out?

imissthesouth · 08/09/2020 00:41

Baby brain got to you lol? It's just short for maternity

DCIHoops · 08/09/2020 02:23

@MoonSauce

Re = regarding, surely
Bugger - I thought it was ‘reference’, as in with reference to .....
jessstan2 · 08/09/2020 02:40

@jimmyhill

"MAT leave" makes my teeth itch.

It's not a fucking acronym. What on earth do people imagine it stands for?

Any ideas?

And while we're at it, R.E. for re (as in emails) and ROTA for rota.

NFA: not. fucking. acronyms.

I agree, jimmyhill. It is sheer laziness. If maternity leave is to be abbreviated, mat. leave would be correct; there is no need for capital letters.
AgnesNaismith · 08/09/2020 03:14

Mother After Training?
Moods: Angry, Threatening?

TitsOutForHarambe · 08/09/2020 04:06

Mothers Are Tired

Ernieshere · 08/09/2020 04:14
Shock
MikeUniformMike · 08/09/2020 05:00

It is an abbreviation not an acronym.

GhostCurry · 08/09/2020 05:11

Oh my god at all the people who think the OP genuinely doesn’t know.

Here’s another one for you OP - why Americans refer to their gynaecologist/obstetrician as an OBGYN, and even spell out the letters when speaking.

OldWomanSaysThis · 08/09/2020 05:22

My Oh-Bee-Gee-Why-Inn stopped delivery babies, so she became just a Gyno (Guy-No).

AppleJane · 08/09/2020 05:53

@SummerTimeSunshine

“PIN number” bothers me more.
Exactly! Personal Indentification Number number. Makes no bloody sense.

Global pandemic. Why use the word global?