# Why do people use such obscure abbreviations here? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 5, 2011, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524 "2011-01-05T19:37:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rogerbox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@rogerbox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rogerbox)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/1 "2011-01-05T19:37:28Z")
There are certain acronyms that I’m sure we can all agree are standard internet ones (LOL, BRB etc), but I keep seeing people use ones on the SDMB I have never seen before. I can’t give a solid example of this, except MAYBE “IANA(first letter of what you aren’t)”. I can USUALLY figure them out, but it is extremely annoying to have to stop and decrypt what people mean by them…and they’re not even just SDMB common acronyms, there are ones I have seen ONCE, by one poster here, and then never again. Just wondering if I am the only person who finds this extremely annoying, or maybe someone who does it could fess up as to what they get out of it. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/2 "2011-01-05T19:42:36Z")
deleted-double post ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/3 "2011-01-05T19:42:41Z")
I see them too, and I’m too lazy to look them up. I’ve learned a few like YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary) and OTOH (On The Other Hand) but others I just skim on by without bothering. Things like maybe, ISFT, or IFTN perhaps. Something like that. I don’t even know. Getting the gist of the post without knowing all the acronyms isn’t hard. YMMV. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/4 "2011-01-05T19:43:46Z")
aaIHNIWYTA ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/5 "2011-01-05T19:46:28Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > aaIHNIWYTA I have no idea what you’re talking about. ---
**Author:** ![rogerbox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@rogerbox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rogerbox)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/6 "2011-01-05T19:48:58Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > aaIHNIWYTA Exactly… I have to lean forward, squint a bit, guess at what you probably MEANT to say, and then try to think of words that fit. I’d rather use the forums to discuss things than play mental crossword games, but YMMV of course. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/7 "2011-01-05T19:49:28Z")
ITA, FWIW. s ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/8 "2011-01-05T19:58:18Z")
yYDIHULDSIPACIYCSUCDWUD ---
**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 5, 2011, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/9 "2011-01-05T20:03:57Z")
Because we can. [Don’t say I never gave you anything.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=7698994#post7698994) ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/10 "2011-01-05T20:54:48Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > aaIHNIWYTA > [@Giles](#): > > I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m stumped on this one as well but whatever floats your boat. KWIMV\* \*know what I mean Vern? ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/11 "2011-01-05T20:59:01Z")
> [@rogerbox](#): > > Exactly… I have to lean forward, squint a bit, guess at what you probably MEANT to say, and then try to think of words that fit. I’d rather use the forums to discuss things than play mental crossword games, but YMMV of course. 🙂 Or you could just plug 'em into Google. Easier than all that leaning and squinting. 99.9% of the time it’ll come right up in the top three results, and the other .01% the only result will be … the thread you were just looking at. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/12 "2011-01-05T21:30:58Z")
MMP is the only one I’ve seen that I don’t get. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/13 "2011-01-05T21:39:11Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > aaIHNIWYTA > [@Giles](#): > > I have no idea what you’re talking about. > [@Tahssa](#): > > I’m stumped on this one as well but whatever floats your boat. KWIMV\* > > \*know what I mean Vern? yWSH ---
**Author:** ![Baracus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@Baracus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baracus)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/14 "2011-01-05T21:39:45Z")
TLDR ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/15 "2011-01-05T21:40:40Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > MMP is the only one I’ve seen that I don’t get. Monday Morning Post. ---
**Author:** ![Kuboydal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecb155/32.png) [@Kuboydal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kuboydal)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/16 "2011-01-05T21:55:08Z")
With their tattoos and camaros, the members of the tribe seek to identify themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/17 "2011-01-05T21:58:10Z")
> [@Kuboydal](#): > > With their tattoos and camaros, the members of the tribe seek to identify themselves. Indeed: one purpose of slang and jargon is to separate insiders from outsiders. The SDMB is not unique in this. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/18 "2011-01-05T22:07:34Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > The SDMB is not unique in this. WCB, BP, mkay. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/19 "2011-01-05T22:09:30Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > Monday Morning Post. I know what it stands for, I just still don’t understand the concept. YIMV ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524/20 "2011-01-05T22:10:44Z")
> [@descamisado](#): > > WCB, BP, mkay. And make mine a la mode, please. TYVM. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-use-such-obscure-abbreviations-here/566524.md?page=2)