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Old May 13th, 2008, 08:40 AM   #28
DaveH
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SW Virginia
Posts: 608
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Thumbs down An extension to the use of some words.

In my experience, acronyms based on various word can also present a problem and have an unintended side-effect.

I know a dear old lady (on another unrelated forum) who would have never knowingly used certain words, but who posted some acronyms which were based on those words.

Later someone objected the the use of the acronyms, on that family forum.

She was mortified to learn that in their original forms (and as read by many current readers) these acronyms were not simply "Situation Normal All Fouled-Up", "Fouled-Up Beyond All Recognition" or "Put Out" or etc.

I'm sure that she heard someone that she trusted use them, asked what they meant, was given a "sanitized" version (rather than an apology) and she fell into an unintended trap.

I suggest we need to avoid laying that trap for others in any form of polite society.

As a Marine, as an employee representing my employer, as a Church member etc, I have very different speech patterns. It is not all that difficult to master, with a modicum of intelligence and respect for others.
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