# Abbreviations / diminutives that make you grind your teeth. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 21, 2015, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521 "2015-01-21T21:54:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/41 "2015-01-22T16:18:25Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Not to defend the use of SWMBO, but at least it has a literary genesis, being the full term for the eponymous “She” of H. Rider Haggard’s adventure novel **She** , and at least when I first started seeing it (on homebrew sites about 10 years ago) as a tongue-in-cheek way of referring to one’s wife as if she were some imperious, unforgiving queen. I always thought it was interesting that John Mortimer’s character Horace Rumpole used it for his wife, because Rumpole is more at home quoting the Oxford Book of English Verse. Quoting an adventure novel by H. Rider Haggard seems unusual for him. I bought Pepper Mil a badge that reads: **SHE WHO would like to BE OBEYed occasionally** ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/42 "2015-01-22T16:22:32Z")
I’m ambivalent on “cred”. Overused, I don’t like it. But it has a unique meaning and works sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/43 "2015-01-22T16:27:15Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > WTF? I thought it was short for “baby” and even then almost always for an out-of-wedlock baby in which the father is not the mother’s husband but rather her babydaddy. It could be but the most common slang use AFAICT is a reference to one’s significant other. There was a meme for awhile called Bae Caught Me Sleeping where people posted photos of themselves that look initially like someone snapped a photo of them asleep but reflections in mirrors or whatever reveal that the ‘sleeper’ took the photo themself. As for “Before Anyone Else” it’s a fact of life that as soon as a word becomes hip, someone retrofits an acronym to it, c.f. “Secretly We Are Gay”, “Dressed Resembling A Girl”, “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge”. ---
**Author:** ![vd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b19c9b/32.png) [@vd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vd)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/44 "2015-01-22T16:29:20Z")
> [@Karen\_Lingel](#): > > … > U for you, 2 for to or too. > > Yeah, I know: you kids get off my lawn (or YKGOML) I don’t mind UR if it replaces “you’re”. But I hate when it replaces “your”. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/45 "2015-01-22T16:56:13Z")
“Cray-cray” - when you say this, you sound like both a baby and an idiot. Verbal use of text speak. “OMG” is not saving you any syllables. If you can say “LOL,” you are obviously _not_ laughing out loud. I’ve even heard people say “WTF” in contexts where polite decorum is not required and no one would bat an eye at hearing “what the fuck?” (i.e. a loud bar). ---
**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/46 "2015-01-22T16:57:57Z")
Lippie for lipstick. I don’t know why, but it really grinds my gears. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/47 "2015-01-22T17:07:51Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > People who say or write “veggies” instead of “vegetables” deserve to be rolled naked in broken malt liquor bottles. And if further truncated to “veg” they should be rolled in broken malt _vinegar_ bottles. It retains all the infantile stupidity of “veggies” plus adds confusion that the idiot is instead talking about vaginas that have been shortened to "vag"s. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/48 "2015-01-22T17:12:06Z")
I’ll tell you what I do loath, the fact that the word “abbreviation” is so long! From now on until I forget, I’m going to start calling it “abbry” because fuck that, it shouldn’t be such a long ass word! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/49 "2015-01-22T17:33:16Z")
> [@Lightray](#): > > And if further truncated to “veg” they should be rolled in broken malt _vinegar_ bottles. It retains all the infantile stupidity of “veggies” plus adds confusion that the idiot is instead talking about vaginas that have been shortened to "vag"s. But I’m sure we all agree it’s good to eat your veggies. or vags. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/50 "2015-01-22T17:36:49Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > Taking a “Selfie” is the newest one for me. It just sets me right on edge especially when adults use the term especially in print journalism. I am on a personal crusade to destroy that word from all human lexicon. What is your preferred term? ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/51 "2015-01-22T17:37:48Z")
What about when people say “toodles” instead of _toodle-oo_ or “ta” instead of _ta-ta_? ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/52 "2015-01-22T17:44:17Z")
I have never liked “bro”. I never know how it’s supposed to be pronounced (i.e., to rhyme with “yo” or “yuh”) and I think it sounds awkward either way. On the other hand, I have no problem with “buddy” or “bud”. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/53 "2015-01-22T20:08:52Z")
I hate people who call McDonald’s “Mickey Dee’s”. I consider it a term that McDonald’s marketing people came up with and I liken it to people who try to choose their own nickname. Sorry Piss Tits, other people give you nicknames, you don’t get to choose your own. ---
**Author:** ![Weedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/weedy/32/301_2.png) [@Weedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weedy)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/54 "2015-01-22T22:44:49Z")
‘Perf’ for ‘perfect’, ugh. ---
**Author:** ![Silvorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Silvorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silvorange)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/55 "2015-01-22T23:04:38Z")
I keep seeing “prolly” used by people whose spelling and grammar are otherwise pretty standard. ---
**Author:** ![tenacious\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@tenacious\_j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tenacious_j)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/56 "2015-01-23T01:54:19Z")
I thought I was hung up, but you guys are tough! Thanks for pointing out that 9 times out of 10 when a young person talks about her “vagina” she is not talking about her vagina. Good for them for being respectful and not using a trashy euphemism, but still wrong. I say young person because anyone my age or older wouldn’t discuss that in public. I can’t stand when parents or grandparents decide that grandma and or grandpa will be called meemaw, mom mom, g’ma, nonnie, or anything other than grandma/grandpa or maybe nana/papa. It’s one thing if the kid honestly can’t pronounce the proper terms, and I expect him to grow out of that in a year or two, but don’t make up BS baby talk names for yourself. It’s ridiculous and not cute. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/57 "2015-01-23T02:12:29Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > People who say or write “veggies” instead of “vegetables” deserve to be rolled naked in broken malt liquor bottles. > [@Rysto](#): > > I couldn’t tell you why, but the word “preggers” (for pregnant) drives me absolutely insane. > [@Katriona](#): > > Lippie for lipstick. I don’t know why, but it really grinds my gears. You guys need to \*not \*come to Australia. Everything is abbreviated here. Everything. Those above are routine, plus: Pressie (present) Cossie (swimming costume) Mossie (mosquito) Brissie (Brisbane) The ‘ss’ in those is pronounced ‘zz’. Mushie (mushroom) Barbie (BBQ) Arvo (afternoon) Cockie (cockroach or cockatoo) Sickie (medical leave, usually on false pretenses) Ciggie (cigarette) Pokie (poker machine) Rego (vehicle registration) Hottie (hot water bottle, or hot flush) Footy (football) Cardy (cardigan) Postie (postman) Pollie (politician) Kindy (kindergarten) and my personal favourite Premmy (premature baby) And we do abbreviate names, but usually just last names. Sometimes the abbreviation is longer than the original: Richo: Richards, Richardson Kev: Kevin Stevo: Stevens, Stevenson Johnno: Johns, Johnson Wayne-o: Wayne (I know, I know) ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/58 "2015-01-23T02:19:12Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > I couldn’t tell you why, but the word “preggers” (for pregnant) drives me absolutely insane. Preggers is kinda cute. “Prego” is a spaghetti sauce. Drives me insane when people use it for ‘pregnant’. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/59 "2015-01-23T03:34:03Z")
I wish “expiry” would go to hell. It’s way past its expiration. ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521/60 "2015-01-23T06:02:01Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > You guys need to \*not \*come to Australia. Everything is abbreviated here. Everything. > > Those above are routine, plus: > > Pressie (present) > Cossie (swimming costume) > Mossie (mosquito) > Brissie (Brisbane) > The ‘ss’ in those is pronounced ‘zz’. > > Mushie (mushroom) > Barbie (BBQ) > Arvo (afternoon) > Cockie (cockroach or cockatoo) > Sickie (medical leave, usually on false pretenses) > Ciggie (cigarette) > Pokie (poker machine) > Rego (vehicle registration) > Hottie (hot water bottle, or hot flush) > Footy (football) > Cardy (cardigan) > Postie (postman) > Pollie (politician) > Kindy (kindergarten) > > and my personal favourite > Premmy (premature baby) > > And we do abbreviate names, but usually just last names. Sometimes the abbreviation is longer than the original: > > Richo: Richards, Richardson > Kev: Kevin > Stevo: Stevens, Stevenson > Johnno: Johns, Johnson > Wayne-o: Wayne (I know, I know) The difference is that Ossies are cool, and every one of us Americans want to be you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abbreviations-diminutives-that-make-you-grind-your-teeth/710521.md?page=4)