Please Just Say What You Mean, EYA*

[Zanjea]

 I have read numerous journal posts in which a woman will go into a lengthy discussion about a particular issue.  However, the issue that she is writing about she only refers to by initials.

For example, I might have to read four whole paragraphs, before I finally realize that PBF means, "Public Breast Feeding."  At times, I make it through the entire journal without even knowing what the subject of the journal was.

Ladies, if you want people to read your journals (which you obviously do, or you wouldn't have posted them) please be so kind as to write out the full words for the topic of the journal at least once, preferably in the beginning of the journal.  It is just one of the basic rules of writing.

Please, EYA*, so that your journal makes sense.

*Explain Your Abbreviations

 

[cleanaturalady]

Jun. 19, 2009 at 11:44 AM

Lol.  I was thinking of writing something about this yesterday.  I read a journal about ERF.  What is that you ask?  I can only assume that it means Extended Rear Facing, as in car-seats.  I deduced this from the journal, but I am still not for certain.

Please, ladies, if you want to use an abbreviation that is fine, but it is customary that when you start your commentary, you write out the entire phrase and parenthesise the abbreviation.  That means, that whenever the abbreviation is used again in the piece, that it means _________.

Writing 101, people, writing 101.

Pfew...off my soapbox now.

[Zanjea]

Jun. 19, 2009 at 11:55 AM

Thanks cleanaturalady, I knew that I couldn't be the only one who is bothered by this!

(Original Poster)

[jackied0624]

Jul. 6, 2009 at 10:11 PM

HAHAHA!! If I had a dollar for every minute I've spent trying to figure out some initials I could pay for one of those wells in Africa for those who need them...all by myself. ;)  Thank you!!

[irishcoffee]

Jul. 21, 2009 at 9:01 PM

Hey, what a great idea!  This is a fun one I heard the other day:  "Whay is abbreviation such a long word?"  Souce unknown.

[jackied0624 HAHAHA!! If I had a dollar for every minute I've spent trying to figure out some initials I could pay for one of those wells in Africa for those who need them...all by myself. ;) Thank you!!]

Jul. 25, 2009 at 3:24 PM

jackied0624      HAHAHA!! If I had a dollar for every minute I've spent trying to figure out some initials I could pay for one of those wells in Africa for those who need them...all by myself. ;)  Thank you!!

Exactly!