# Uh, I'll use "u" if I damned well please. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 21, 2004, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396 "2004-02-21T18:33:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Civil\_Defense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Civil\_Defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Defense)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/1 "2004-02-21T18:33:34Z")
I’m not the OP of [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=240921); however, I think there’s a lot of irony in someone spending time to type out a holier-than-thou reply to someone who chooses to use “u” or “u r” as a way of using SHORTHAND. The point of using “u” or “u r” whenever I do, which admittedly isn’t very often, is to abbreviate typing if I’m either in a hurry, tired, lazy, drunk, what have you. You do not strain your brain any more to read “u” instead of “you”; in fact, you may just be saving some precious milliseconds in calculation that you could better spend reading threads from people who are as eloquent as you are. In any case, I don’t see what the fucking problem with using “u” is. Do the same people who use “u” also use acronyms? Why not abolish those, too? I mean, what kind of person would you be for slamming someone for using “u” when you, yourself, are using “BRB” as opposed to the much more eloquent “Be right back”? Shit, I hope none of you use “OK” either. You’ll have to pit yourselves for not typing out the entire “Okay” (depending on which dictionary you use to justify your anal retentiveness). In any case, it’s clear that “OK” developed from someone’s “cuteness” in deciding not to type “okay”. If I’m writing a nice, formal memo, u can b damn sure that I won’t b using phrases such as “u guys need 2 hurry up and build these cuz r customers need them k thxu”. However, in a much more social setting such as – gasp – the SDMB, I see no reason not to go ahead and use shorthand when it’s REALLY FUCKING OBVIOUS what I mean to say, whether you like it or not. And if I do, and you decide to write out a multi-paragraph essay on why it annoys you, be forewarned that you’re only serving to release your own ill-formed frustration and I will only mock your reply. So don’t waste your time with me, but instead go chat with more educated individuals. ---
**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/2 "2004-02-21T18:41:51Z")
Using twelveyearoldhormonalgirlAOLspeak is REALLY FUCKING OBNOXIOUS. > [@](#): > > The point of using “u” or “u r” whenever I do, which admittedly isn’t very often, is to abbreviate typing if I’m either in a hurry, tired, lazy, drunk, what have you. Try this on for size: don’t post when tired, hurried, lazy or drunk. If you can’t communicate with your “peers” in a manner that indicates your relative level of literacy, then refrain from posting. This is not a Britney Spears fanboard. Cecil doesn’t r0xxx0rz. Bush isn’t teh suxx0rz. LOL OMG. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/3 "2004-02-21T18:44:03Z")
It bothered me when **paul’smars** did it and it bothers me when you do it, **Civil Defense** Why? Because it makes you look like a 13 year old\* idiot and I will from now on discount everything you say as the rantings of the above mentioned pubescent moron. \*not all 13 year olds are idiots nor do they feel it necessary to leave out letters in very very short words, such as “be”. If you don’t want people to respond, don’t post in The Pit. ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Defense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Civil\_Defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Defense)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/4 "2004-02-21T18:47:57Z")
> [@Ilsa\_Lund](#): > > Using twelveyearoldhormonalgirlAOLspeak is REALLY FUCKING OBNOXIOUS. > > Try this on for size: don’t post when tired, hurried, lazy or drunk. If you can’t communicate with your “peers” in a manner that indicates your relative level of literacy, then refrain from posting. This is not a Britney Spears fanboard. Cecil doesn’t r0xxx0rz. Bush isn’t teh suxx0rz. LOL OMG. If you can’t understand the concept that “u” means, get this-- “you,” then I’d say that it’s you who has the problem with understanding communication. ---
**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/5 "2004-02-21T18:49:05Z")
> [@Civil Defense](#): > > If you can’t understand the concept that “u” means, get this-- “you,” then I’d say that it’s you who has the problem with understanding communication. Miss the whole fucking point much? ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Defense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Civil\_Defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Defense)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/6 "2004-02-21T18:49:52Z")
> [@FilmGeek](#): > > It bothered me when **paul’smars** did it and it bothers me when you do it, **Civil Defense** > > Why? Because it makes you look like a 13 year old\* idiot and I will from now on discount everything you say as the rantings of the above mentioned pubescent moron. \Aw, shucks, 2 bad 4 me then.\ I’d love to see your logic applied to everyday issues- for example, do you discount the things our President says simply because he mispronounces words and, at times, makes up his own words? ---
**Author:** ![CheekyMonkey613](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e480ec/32.png) [@CheekyMonkey613](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheekyMonkey613)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/7 "2004-02-21T18:49:54Z")
I have no problem with “U” instead of “you”. Personally, I never use them myself. It would actually take me more time to think of it than to just type. I type almost as fast as I think, so no need here. I also have no problem with other abbreviations like: BRB, LOL … whatever. One thing that makes me CRAZY is when it takes the same amount of letters to spell the “new word”. “Kewl” makes my skin crawl. ---
**Author:** ![heater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/858c86/32.png) [@heater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heater)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/8 "2004-02-21T18:51:48Z")
You’re in a hurry, and can’t type an extra “y” and “o”??? How fucking slow do you type? Let me help you out a bit. They’re both on the top row of letters. Only two keys between them. Matter of fact, one of them is a “u”. ---
**Author:** ![mic84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@mic84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mic84)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/9 "2004-02-21T18:51:49Z")
> [@](#): > > Shit, I hope none of you use “OK” either. You’ll have to pit yourselves for not typing out the entire “Okay” (depending on which dictionary you use to justify your anal retentiveness). In any case, it’s clear that “OK” developed from someone’s “cuteness” in deciding not to type “okay”. [No it isn’t](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_250.html)[/nitpick] ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/10 "2004-02-21T18:52:15Z")
I forgot to thank **Starving Artist** for his/her eloquent answer to the u r b typer in the linked thread. I owe you a beer. [hats off to you smiley] ---
**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/11 "2004-02-21T18:57:09Z")
> [@](#): > > I’d love to see your logic applied to everyday issues- for example, do you discount the things our President says simply because he mispronounces words and, at times, makes up his own words? Fuck yes. Next stupid question? ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Defense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Civil\_Defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Defense)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/12 "2004-02-21T18:57:50Z")
> [@mic84](#): > > [No it isn’t](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_250.html)[/nitpick] [nitpick] Then, let me instead accuse them of being hypocritical for not typing 1. okeh 2. oll korrect 3. open key 4. o. kendall & sons 5. aux cayes 6. obediah kelly 7. olla kalla 8. ober-kommando [/nitpick] My apologies for assuming it instead sprang from “okay”. In any case, the people who are likely to get pissed off if I feel like typing the equally-understood “u” are those who I wouldn’t really want to waste time communicating with, anyway, namely SUTA condescending pricks.\* \*yes, yes, irony. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/13 "2004-02-21T18:58:35Z")
> [@Civil Defense](#): > > Shit, I hope none of you use “OK” either. You’ll have to pit yourselves for not typing out the entire “Okay” (depending on which dictionary you use to justify your anal retentiveness). In any case, it’s clear that “OK” developed from someone’s “cuteness” in deciding not to type “okay”. Bwahahaha! No, it’s not remotely “clear.” In fact, it’s utterly wrong, and perhaps poetic justice that part of your support for the propagation of ignorance rests on… well… ignorance. In any event, the use of these ridiculous shortcuts makes you look like an illiterate fool. You may well not be, but you can hardly be heard to complain when people read your absurdly spastic typing and conclude otherwise. - Rick ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/14 "2004-02-21T19:00:19Z")
> [@Civil Defense](#): > > \Aw, shucks, 2 bad 4 me then.\ > > I’d love to see your logic applied to everyday issues- for example, do you discount the things our President says simply because he mispronounces words and, at times, makes up his own words? Actually, I do discount most of what he says because he does sound like a complete idiot. I think he is a complete idiot, but that isn’t the subject in question here. You can find plenty of other threads on this great message board of ours concerning Pres. Bush’s mental acuity. You, however, are rapidly proving yourself to be a moron regardless of the way you conduct yourself on this message board. Whoops, I ment u r stoopid. ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Defense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Civil\_Defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Defense)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/15 "2004-02-21T19:02:04Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Bwahahaha! > > No, it’s not remotely “clear.” In fact, it’s utterly wrong, Grammatically wrong or not, are you seriously suggesting that associating “u” with “you” is NOT clear when read in a sentence? Example: u r number 3 in line. You are number 3 in line. You seriously can not distinguish between the two? They are not both crystal clear? Wow. I rest my case. ---
**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/16 "2004-02-21T19:04:07Z")
> [@Civil Defense](#): > > Grammatically wrong or not, are you seriously suggesting that associating “u” with “you” is NOT clear when read in a sentence? > > Example: > > u r number 3 in line. > > You are number 3 in line. > > You seriously can not distinguish between the two? They are not both crystal clear? > > Wow. I rest my case. Goddammit! Do you have the reading comprehension of a fucking scallop?!?! > [@](#): > > In any case, it’s clear that “OK” developed from someone’s “cuteness” in deciding not to type “okay”. > [@](#): > > No, it’s not remotely “clear.” In fact, it’s utterly wrong, and perhaps poetic justice that part of your support for the propagation of ignorance rests on… well… ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/17 "2004-02-21T19:05:28Z")
You realize this is all Prince’s fault, right? ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/18 "2004-02-21T19:05:49Z")
Um, Bricker was referring to your use of clear in your assertion that OK came from okay. Dumbass. ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Defense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Civil\_Defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Defense)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/19 "2004-02-21T19:06:25Z")
> [@Ilsa\_Lund](#): > > Goddammit! Do you have the reading comprehension of a fucking scallop?!?! Yes. Yes, I do. Now, if you will be so kind as to ignore all future posts from me, because, clearly, I am below your acceptable level of conversational intelligence, then we can both be about our business and you can find much smaller, menial things to pick at, I’m sure. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396/20 "2004-02-21T19:08:32Z")
You are free to use “u” or “b” or “r” or “m” or whatever shorthand you wish. I am free to interpret that as your lack of care or respect to communicate well and properly, and I am also free to come to any conclusions about the level of education you present. One way or another, using substandard communication shows that you either do not know or do not care to make the effort; it also shows a tremendous lack of respect for the non-native English-as-a-second-or-third-language posters on the Straight Dope. Justify your laziness to them, if you will. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-ill-use-u-if-i-damned-well-please/230396.md?page=2)