Please..........

I know acronyms aren't going away anytime soon.  But it really annoys me to have to stop in the middle of reading something, open another window, type 'acronym finder' in the search box, wait for the choices to come up, choose one, type in the acronym, then decide which of five pages of them you meant.

But if you're going to use them, could you please spell out the whole phrase in the beginning, and then go with the acronyms?

Maybe something like this:

"I read your post and fell on the floor, laughing my head off and peeing my pants (FOTFLMHOAPMP), woke up the dog..."

Then go on with your acronym as much as you want.

Okay?  Does this sound okay?  Am I being too demanding?   

It's just that many people don't know what you know, and it sounds kind of supercilious to spout off these things (yes, I know it's easier and quicker), but when we don't know what you're talking about, you're probably not getting the effect you wanted.

Sorry if I sound too persnickety... 

Sue

oh my! please post this on the soap dish forum. so many posts there look like this or similar.....

"so I did an HP and I think when i added the EO it caused DOS should I have used FO or just gone FF or is that just for CP?"

It could have been such a useful resource for me but I couldn't use the search on the forum because a search doesn't hit on anything because they all use acronyms!

I have found myself using them sometimes so I am not without guilt. I wonder if this trend will affect future generations language skills?

WHAT language skills???

Between the current poor English ("Where you goin' to?"), Corporatese, and acronyms, a hundred years from now maybe no one will understand anyone.

Cynical Sue

they will probably understand each other just fine but won' t be capable of reading much of anything with content.  many nuances will be lost and many assumptions will be the rule. it could be the trigger for a burgeoning upper class. people will once again, or rather, further be divided into the ones that can read and succeed and the ones looking for a handout from those "rich, literate people".

Ever watch a young kid doing text messaging?

I have no clue what it all means.

Like "dont u dis him r hell kill u"?

My DOG can do better than that.

Sue

Folks: any new language that the kids are thinking up is Powerful, especially Because adults don't understand it. I actually want to learn more about texting language (although i can't do it) because i see it being a potentially anti-authoritarian way of communicating.

How?
Picture some kind of collapse or shake up with civilization. Communication networks down. Add to that young people who can spread clear messages to each other (via graffiti, etc) that the authorities can't read. It's So brilliant.

(but why is this in 'organic practices?')

kelda wrote:
(but why is this in 'organic practices?')

do they make organic spray paint?  I don't view it as anti authoritarian. I don't know about its capability of providing "clear messages". on another forum someone posted a new thread......

"has any one bought these 4 goats?"

hmmmm. I thought someone was looking to find some goats they had sold and wanted for whatever reason, to find. but no. they were asking if someone had bought a particular product for goats. not very clear at all and in actuality it completely changed the meaning of the sentence to use 4 instead of for.

oh yeah, that Totally changes the message.

but I still like the idea of having subversive language. Just today I was thinking about a the old norse runes, and thinking that it would be a fun way to communicate something to a pagan neighbor of mine. I could scribble a few runes on his sidewalk and see if he can figure out my message.

Sure as heck, a lot of other people wouldn't even realize it's a language.

as for texting, let's make up a new one:
GOOHQ

for 'get out of here quick'

or FUTP

for 'food under the porch'

I dont know. This is all (as I'm envisioning it) very much in the style of Hobo Language, from the Depression. More on that here:
http://www.epcc.edu/ftp/homes/monicaw/borderlands/12_hobo_sign_language.htm

"(but why is this in 'organic practices?')"

Only because that's where I was when I thought about it.  Some post or other instigated it, but I don't know which one it was.  Maybe here, maybe not. 

I have ADD and sometimes I have to put something down really quick before I forget it. 

Sue