Too Many Acronymns!

[BadgerGirl84]

We were all beginners here once and we all got used to all of the acronyms. If you just hang in there, you'll get used to them too. If you REALLY cannot figure out what a specific acronym stands for, usually a polite inquiry will get you the answer in a matter of minutes.

Maybe you should be the one adjusts to the way this board is, rather than asking thousands of people who've been here for many, many years to change for you.

 

[LetsGoToo]

Reality is there is a reason that you don't see abbreviations used in media stories as a general rule because you generally want as many people as possible to be able to read and understand what you are writing. This is basic journalism 101.

When you read a news story about the FBI, it is always spelled out Federal Bureau of Investigation and then the FBI abbreviation is usually used. The original poster's comment comes from the generally accepted standard for journalism that has been in place for many years. Yes, I understand this isn't journalism.

However, even though we see posts here that tell us that certain abbreviations are used by different people for different things, the majority opinion is that we should all search or rack our brains to figure out what the poster is trying to say. That's fine. It just means this board isn't as useful as it could be.

One other thing, in regards to comments that the original poster was rude by starting this thread, I think most of us prefer to be able to understand what is being said. Most people don't like for their doctor to speak with a lot of medical jargon or for an attorney to speak with lots of legal jargon. Most of us want simple words that non medical or legal professionals can understand. So, no, I don't think it was rude for the original poster to start the thread.

Just my two cents.

 

[Nancyg56]

Reality is there is a reason that you don't see abbreviations used in media stories as a general rule because you generally want as many people as possible to be able to read and understand what you are writing. This is basic journalism 101.

When you read a news story about the FBI, it is always spelled out Federal Bureau of Investigation and then the FBI abbreviation is usually used. The original poster's comment comes from the generally accepted standard for journalism that has been in place for many years. Yes, I understand this isn't journalism.

However, even though we see posts here that tell us that certain abbreviations are used by different people for different things, the majority opinion is that we should all search or rack our brains to figure out what the poster is trying to say. That's fine. It just means this board isn't as useful as it could be.

One other thing, in regards to comments that the original poster was rude by starting this thread, I think most of us prefer to be able to understand what is being said. Most people don't like for their doctor to speak with a lot of medical jargon or for an attorney to speak with lots of legal jargon. Most of us want simple words that non medical or legal professionals can understand. So, no, I don't think it was rude for the original poster to start the thread.

Just my two cents.

My two cents: I don't think the OP was rude, but I think that the post was a bit unrealistic. I honestly cannot understand why it is so hard to ask what an acronym means if you don't understand it, and I cannot understand why any person feels that it is okay to ask a large community to change habits in order to accommodate those who are "new." We were all new here at one time, and somehow we managed to figure out how to use the language spoken on the boards.

I also think that there is a vast divide between professional medical jargon tossed at a patient and an acronym used on a message board that the majority uses. With your example, a Dr at a medical convention would be chastised for using the accepted medical jargon spoken by the majority of professionals attending in order that the brand new resident is not inconvenienced by having to ask for a "translation." You are correct, this board is not a board that is used by professional journalists. It is a board that is used by people who like Disney, and enjoy discussing Disney. Most of us will not make you "rack" your brains, but will not only answer your question, but direct you to a list of common acronyms so that you know ahead of time what you may encounter. I guess that is not enough for everyone, but it was plenty for me when I joined.

 

[dae3dae3]

You wonder why it is such a burden to type things out. Maybe you should ask that of yourself, as you have used quite a few in the above post.

Or is it that people should only use the ones you deem ok?

I used two. "BTW" and "PM" I even intentionally warned I was about to use them. It was intentional usage trying to make a point. I wonder how many people didn't know I meant "By the way" and Personal Message? I bet there were more than a few. Probably a few of them were the people arguing with me.

The others were in quotes as examples of what I think is a completely understandable and appropriate use. In those examples they are clearly defined before use. If you are using those as examples you're just being intentionally obtuse.

 

[Dan Murphy]

The dis board has a list, but it is severely out of date, over 4 years since it was updated.

This one from Deb's site looks pretty current, at least it has the mine train on it.

http://allears.net/tp/abrev.htm

 

[dae3dae3]

Here is some help

http://yohoyohobloggerslifeforme.blogspot.com/2013/08/disney-abbreviations.html

That page has not been updated in nearly a year. It doesn't even have some of them that were posted in the one and only example in this thread. That is the problem with giving people links to figure out what someone said. Nobody keeps the lists up to date.

 

[dae3dae3]

The dis board has a list, but it is severely out of date, over 4 years since it was updated.

This one from Deb's site looks pretty current, at least it has the mine train on it.

http://allears.net/tp/abrev.htm

It also is missing at least one from the one example posted. It just happens to be the one that would make the post make any sense at all.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I read lots of threads and don't post on them b/c I feel I don't have anything to add. It doesn't have anything to do with not understanding what is being written. I am of the opinion that if I don't understand, it's up to me to ask. Like I others have said, when I go to a foreign country I wouldn't expect them to speak English. It's up to me to learn their language.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Have to admit I've grown comfortable with the acronyms, but last night someone started a thread using SOA and I was confused why we were discussing the FX hit show "Sons of Anarchy" on a Theme Park message board.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Have to admit I've grown comfortable with the acronyms, but last night someone started a thread using SOA and I was confused why we were discussing the FX hit show "Sons of Anarchy" on a Theme Park message board.

SOA was a new one for me too!

 

[Goofyuk]

Simply untrue. I owned a very popular message board for 8 years that was sports related and assure you we have never used any acronyms aside from traditional sports related ones that even the most casual fan would know like RBI.

I'm more than a casual fan but I have no idea what RBI means.

Most acronyms are used with context, so for example when there's a thread about great Cast Members and someone types about what a CM did to make you feel special, the CM obviously stands for Cast Member. After reading a few threads the acronyms stop being noticed and are just automatically translated into words.

The exception is on threads like this when people come up with specifically rare or awkward acronyms.

 

[TinkerElsasMom]

If you don't know, ask. It's simple. What does SOA mean? Or, I could be be proactive and search out that dictionary everyone has been talking about. People should not have to alter the way they speak because somebody doesn't like it. Just ask. Then, you'll know. Then when somebody else asks, you can answer.

 

[siskaren]

I'm more than a casual fan but I have no idea what RBI means.

RBI is (to my knowledge anyway) used exclusively in baseball, and I see that you're from the UK, so that's probably why.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

I'm more than a casual fan but I have no idea what RBI means.

Most acronyms are used with context, so for example when there's a thread about great Cast Members and someone types about what a CM did to make you feel special, the CM obviously stands for Cast Member. After reading a few threads the acronyms stop being noticed and are just automatically translated into words.

The exception is on threads like this when people come up with specifically rare or awkward acronyms.

My website was specifically related to Major League Baseball. RBI stands for Runs Batted In, which you are taught in Little League on this side of the pond, I get you being unfamiliar with it. But I also find it highly unlikely you would ever seek out a message board dedicated to the worst franchise in a sport you aren't too familiar with, haha.

And every time you type CM, I think Chef Mickey.

 

[Chuckers]

I think everyone should always type Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow from now on when talking about EPCOT because it's been getting too confusing lately.

Epcot hasn't stood for that for quite some time.

If you've taken the Backstage Magic Tour, you may have learned that the CM's used to say EPCOT stood for "Extreme Polyester Costumes of Torture" when the park first opened.

 

[dae3dae3]

I just think it is funny that people don't seem to care if they are understood or not.

It is also amusing to see people say I'm "demanding" that they change their ways. I'm not "demanding" anything. If you want people to know what they heck you're talking about you'll make some effort to be clear. They'll also learn the abbreviations that way instead of sending them off to some list that hasn't been updated in forever. Once again, if it has already been established in the thread or the thread is specific to that subject I'm not even talking about that. If you are responding to someone's question or are starting a thread then this would apply to you. If you post a lot this might cause you a few seconds worth of typing a day.

Here is another example of what I'm talking about.

Thread Title = What's that meal called in the Castle?
Answer: Cinderella's Royal Table. I've really enjoyed my meals at CRT although they could improve it if they...

Thread Title: What do you guys think about Cinderella's Royal Table?
Answer: I've been to CRT three times and I really enjoyed it......

Here is the same thing as some of you think is best.
Thread Title: What's that meal called in the Castle?
Answer: CRT
Response: What's CRT?
Answer2: http://allears.net/tp/abrev.htm
Response2: CRT isn't on that page.
Answer3: Try this one. http://yohoyohobloggerslifeforme.blogspot.com/2013/08/disney-abbreviations.html
Response3: It isn't on that one either.
Answer4: How about this one? http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1660743
Response4: I finally found it.
Answer5: That's great. We did that last month and then had a fastpass to A&E.
Response5: Whats A&E? I looked on all those pages and it's not on any of them.
Answer6: Did you try googling it?
Response6: All I get is Arts and Entertainment but I'm assuming that's not right. Can you just tell me what it is?
AnswerGiver has signed off for the day.

 

[wendyt_ca]

I got used to them after a bit so they are almost like nicknames for each thing. I actually use them outside of the forum with friends and they just picked up on what they mean. A friend of mine who has gone with me a couple of times uses them as well. It's funny because my phone will auto correct none Disney conversations to Disney acronyms.... One changed something recently to WDW and another word to MK map (I don't even talk about maps there cause I don't need them lol). It is just habit and sometimes it is easier. It's not like it is only people on this forum, it's all forums and just the language of the internet now. I just ask if I don't know what one means.

 

[Angel Ariel]

However, even though we see posts here that tell us that certain abbreviations are used by different people for different things, the majority opinion is that we should all search or rack our brains to figure out what the poster is trying to say. That's fine. It just means this board isn't as useful as it could be.

Actually I think the majority opinion is more "if you don't know, then ask..." Not "rack your brain" to figure it out.

 

[Nancyg56]

Actually I think the majority opinion is more "if you don't know, then ask..." Not "rack your brain" to figure it out.

Exactly. I guess I just do not understand the problem.

 

[dae3dae3]

I got used to them after a bit so they are almost like nicknames for each thing. I actually use them outside of the forum with friends and they just picked up on what they mean. A friend of mine who has gone with me a couple of times uses them as well. It's funny because my phone will auto correct none Disney conversations to Disney acronyms.... One changed something recently to WDW and another word to MK map (I don't even talk about maps there cause I don't need them lol). It is just habit and sometimes it is easier. It's not like it is only people on this forum, it's all forums and just the language of the internet now. I just ask if I don't know what one means.

In your example you've already done what I'm asking. You made sure the person knew what you were talking about once and then forever on you used the abbreviation.