lightning101

the moose

Amazing - we go from a question on abbreviations to "I'm bigger than you are" in a playgroundesque manner in just a few steps.

Have to love the Internet.

stevem2k

I'm sure there is a wealth of information if you would STFW .......

the moose

I'm sure you meant STFU .... or is this yet more irony?

stevem2k

Nope

http://www.science.uva.nl/~mes/jargon/s/stfw.html

lightning101

ScoobyDoo555

I think that whether it's everybody's cup of tea, the use of smilies and abbreviations is becoming more and more popular. Almost the dawn of a new language.

It's no different to slang in various regional dialects. Just because these have been around for a long time, doesn't mean anything. They were "new" once too.
Therefore, is it safe to assume that you don't like slang either?

Don't condemn others for their embracing of this "Internet" dialect.
As has been previously posted, it's only meant to add some additional personality and expression to text.

Lighten up.

Dan

davegtt

wouldnt the earliest have come about in normal speaking terms... OTT, people actually say OTT when speaking which obviously means Over the top. theyve been around for ages, just small group of words that gets used alot like "by the way" btw is just easier and quicker to write and reply to somebody, trying to keep the text/email speach at a quicker pace surely?

the moose

Well, I'll just have to politely not STFW, as I have no idea what you mean. You could, of course, use words to explain what you mean, but that might involve thinking rather than trotting out yet another abbreviation.

And no, I'll not click the link. These things have a habit of being not entirely work safe.

the moose

I don't use slang much either, though certain words clearly get added and removed from general usage as time goes on.

No, I'd not say OTT. Strangely, though, I would say PC (either in a police or computing sense). And I'd clearly use e.g., i.e, and many other abbreviations.

Where I get annoyed is when someone (in a text form) tells you to STFU. Would they really say "shut the **** up" if they were speaking to you, or would they even be that abusive in a written dialogue? Most wouldn't, I suspect, but it seems fine to write STFU then follow it with a confusion of smilies to pretend that really, it wasn't meant. Or was it?

jasey

So Why FAO - For Attention Of - Surely it should be FTAO ?

and PMSL should be PML - Surely ??

Some Abbreviations seem to be abbreviated themselves and some are lengthened - It just doesn't seem logical !

STFW - "Search the ******* Web"

stevem2k

Your loss . It is a link to the jargon dictionary which explains the origin of most of these abbreviations, it is work safe.

lightning101

Jasey - I think its for the thickos


PML is not as easy to work out as PMSL

the first time round.

OMG

and OMFG

its quite easy to work out what the F means

jasey

Eureka Moment: I think you've answered the question. It's for those people who struggle with long worms and pisspronounciation - Which probably also explains why the moose doesn't like them

lightning101

Just call me steven hawking

the moose

One of the other laws of the internet - inevitably, all conversations and discussions are drawn toward insults and conflict.

jasey

Eh

lightning101

U.C.B.4.U.A.NSR FAN

the moose

Apologies, clearly a misunderstanding on my part.

Jerome

There are many acronyms that were in common use long before computers came along and were often used in speech:-

ASAP (As Soon As Possible)
SNAFU (Situation Normal All Fcuked Up)
FUBAR (Fcuked Up Beyond All Recognition)

The military is often responsible for many acronyms which find their way into common usage. Some acronyms are also a way of swearing without offending those around you.

Personally, as I don't touch type, I use common acronyms every chance I get. Also, I've been using BBS's since the early 90's and I very quickly learnt that the use of emoticons was essential if you didn't want to be misunderstood. Even though they were just punctuation marks, they went some way to indicating the tone of a post so the thread didn't get sidetracked with people taking your post the wrong way.

I found that the Yanks were very susceptible to taking things the wrong way and emoticons probably saved a few jobs (if not lives) along the way. I received many threats of violence from US posters on a work BBS many years ago because a post of mine had been taken the wrong way.

Don't forget that communication is constantly evolving. If it didn't, we would all still be grunting at each other. You can either go with the flow, or be left behind. I hate text message lingo (eg. "ur" instead of "your" or "you're") being used on BBS's, but I'll just have to get used to it, because it won't go away.

HTH m8