Reading through many of the posts here, it has taken me months to work out what the abbreviations and expressions that are commonly used mean (and I haven't got all of them yet!) This set me thinking about all of the people who post here for whom English is not their first language. I think they do a great job, but also that they must be just as confused as I am. Would it be more considerate to use plain English? PS What is a DH? ;-)

in the beginning I was wondering but I suppose most of us learn fast or ask what is meant.
I got used to it, so will you I suppose.

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by jjjj 08 Jun 2010

Love your graphic - thats just how I feel some days!

I've been using text speak for years as part of the IT (information technology or computer related) industry. But when my niece sent me a message recently with MWA! in it, she really had be scratching my head. Eventually I had to write and ask her what in blazes it meant.

Do you know when you pretend to kiss and blow it to someone, well it translates as MWA!

Who'd a guessed?
ROFLMBO!!! I prefer butt to ass, because an ass is a mule/donkey, not a butt.

SEE, there's even a difference between Aussie English, USA English and British English. LOL!!!
HNR, M

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by spendlove 08 Jun 2010

We are several nations divided by and common language! Also, I suspect by varying ideas of humour. I think that what I intended to be "quite subtle tongue in cheek" in my posts was just too subtle and people have taken me literally.
Thanks Meganne - I think you saw what I meant.

I use email as my primary method of communication and, although I do use daft abbreviations to my friends, I use capital letters, punctuation and the best grammar I can manage. My daughter set me this example! She even does the same with her texts. I wouldn't dream of using gobblydegook to a person I didn't know, particularly if their English was doubtful. There are a huge numbers of users of this site who deserve our respect for their efforts to use English. ROFLMAO - I've just read that back and IMHO I sound really pompous! My apologies - I will go and sit in the naughty corner immediately.

I just have to add a note here.It took me a while to figure out the "jargon", but I really "cracked up" when my DH (dear husband) wondered why he was always referred to as my "designated hitter"!! I just told him he could go to bat for me anytime! LOL
Hugs, Nadyne

Hey, I thought I was learning a foreign language. And I've done quite well figuring our most of them. I'm proud of myself.

Thanx Sue for this post! I have often wondered about this issue! My GD textes me and I call her back to find out what she needs!!! Hahaha! I'm not a texter. Hugs, Judy

My, my; do I really have to try and spell correctly? Will try to do so, and what does 'PS' mean, if we're not using abreviations for the sake of non-English speaking people?
ISO, is 'in search of', I beleive. When I use DB I do mean 'dear husband', not anything else.

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by meganne 08 Jun 2010

PS is not a modern abbreviation Jacqui, it has been in use for as long as I can remember and is short for Post Script, which means and after-thought added to the end of a letter after you have already signed it.

I would think DB means dear brother but if you write it for your dear husband, I will try and remember that when I read your messages.
HNR (hugs and roses) M (Meganne)

you wanna talk acronyms, jargon and abbreviations?
Hah! work for the US federal government - you'll spend the rest of your life learning them.

LOL ;-)

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by joann13100 07 Jun 2010

Absolutely true. I have to translate into normal speech when I talk to members of the public, not familiar with US Gov't jargon!

Dont feel alone in your in your quest for the meanning of all these abbreviations, I have had a couple of real brain fades with some on this site and others, it took me months to work out ITH meant in the hoop projects, and playing canasta recently on yahoo, one of my opponents wrote "roflmao" I just typed a ? because I didnt have a clue, turns out it means rolling on the floor,laughing my ass off. Which is probably what they were doing even more with my ? But its not just on the net, I am a Operating Room nurse, and when we are about to scrub we usually say I'm going to hop into the sink, imagine how confusing that is for new staff not from Australia, the visual image of a fully grown R.N. with one leg over the sink trying to get in even makes me giggle. These abbreviations and Jargon are here to stay I'm afraid, but maybe we could put together a glossery of terms for everyone to access when those odd moments of confusion crop up, cheers Ruth

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by meganne 08 Jun 2010

Here's one I made up because I got tired of writing out the full terminology all the time.

emad = email address,

so when I ask you for your emad, you will know it's nothing rude. LOL!!!
HNR, M

If we have to use plain English does that mean we must have correct grammar and spelling? I am so hooped!!! TG for spell check!
I personally have allways interpreted the D(H,S,M,D etch) depending upon the story. No matter how much love is in a relationship that D might not allways stand for Darling. LOL

Thanks for asking, I too get confused by some and was thinking about asking what the "ttt" was but now, because of your question I have my answer! *4U, lol!

and here's a few more to add to the list..
ttt To The Top
fsl Free Standing Lace
ith In The Hoop

Thank you.

Hard for me also to figure out. To show how old I am, we couldn't use "couldn't" for could not in term papers in school. Kay

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Sue, I agree with you. I like plain English. This text abbreviation business is like learning a second language, but I guess it's a sign of the times. *4U

Most of these abbreviations are text speak. Just find a 12 year old. They are very willing to educate you in their language!! You must be of the same generation as me. I text very slowly but learn lots of new words from my step-grandaughter!!

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by sewmom 07 Jun 2010

Yes, that's why I know:
idk = I don't know
tmi= too much information

Thanks Sue, yes there are many abbreviations I do not understand either. Ignorance is bliss? I also agree that there are many here that use English as a second language and must be confused at times.

It is good to know. thanks!

LOL also doubles as lots of love.

DH = Dear Husband
LOL = Laugh out loud
VBG = Very Big Grin
DD = Dear daughter
SIL = Sister (Son) in Law
DIL = Daughter in Law
ROFLOL = Rolling on floor laughing out loud
these are a couple of the basic ones...they can be confusing at times and I confess to being quilty of using them frequently. ~Rita
**didn't mean to duplicate...I started typing before any other responses...DARN dial-up!!!

Sue, I bet you are right - it might be better if we didn't use the abbrviations - but then we wouldn't have has much time to download???? Hehehe! DH means dear husband. Do you have any others - maybe we could just do a post with them all in it and then we could refer to it. *4U = flower for you

3 comments

by spendlove 07 Jun 2010

IMHO we should use correct English! (LOL)

by gerryb 07 Jun 2010

Hee hee! Hopefully that's "in my humble opinion" and if not, that sounds good anyway!

by anne55 07 Jun 2010

Plain english would be lovely in my humble opinion!!

As far as I know, DH stands for dear or darling husband, and I have one of those kind of husbands.
God bless, Judy

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by spendlove 07 Jun 2010

Mine would think I was after something!

DH dear husband/hubby
DD dear daughter (D)DIL daughter in law
DS dear son or (D)SIL son in law
lol laugh out loud
ISO in search of
IMO in my opinion

2 comments

by rwalden 07 Jun 2010

Thanks. I couldn't figure ISO and IMO.

by castelyn 07 Jun 2010

It took me a while to learn them 2

PM - private message
DBC- Designs by cuties

Can't think of any others that have not been mentioned.

Hugs Yvonne