SWAK - sealed with a kiss - is at least 75 years old.

Sorry, meant to clarify -- the use of IMO, and IMHO is widespread -- as is the use (at first mystifying to me) of OP for "Original Poster."

My rant was about the whole "D" thing.

Put me down as another hater of the whole DH DD thing. It's as cloying as candy floss and as sincere as "have a nice day".

Another couple of useful ones:

WOMBAT - waste of money, bandwith and time.

LOMBARD - loads of money but a right dickhead.

I agree about DH, at least unless it means David Ortiz.

But I have to speak up again in defense of "have a nice day". I still think it sounds no less sincere than "bonne journee" in France or "buona giornatta" in Italy. After hearing people complaining for years that this was a cloying American custom, I had to shift my thinking when I started traveling to Europe and learning the formalities with which the French and Italians conduct their daily personal interactions.

OK, nikki on 'have a nice day." but at least one shouldn't put it in one's forum post as HAND.

I can never understand why people can't just use words and names.
There are people who talk about the AC (Amalfi Coast perhaps) or CT (Cinque Terre?). I'm waiting for someone to ask about AC for the DH on the AC.

Wait until someone asks about an AC/DC DH!

I use IMHO as it saves time typing.

As for DH,DS etc - pass the sickbag!

Just for future reference, the term <i>acronym</i> describes a <u>word</u> that is made up from elements of the thing it describes - such as
<b>RA</b>dio <b>D</b>etection <b>A</b>nd <b>R</b>anging, or
<b>S</b>elf-<b>C</b>ontained <b>U</b>nderwater <b>B</b>reathing <b>A</b>pparatus.

What are being discussed here are <i>abbreviations</i>. But &quot;acronym&quot; sounds so intelligent, doesn't it?

travelerjan, you made me laugh out loud, well, really snicker out loud. SOL?

&gt;What are being discussed here are abbreviations.

I rise to respectfully differ with my learned colleague (LC).

WOMBAT, HAND, ROFL, DIL and TIA are as much words as RADAR, SNAFU and FUBAR, and are made up from elements of the things described.

As far as abbreviating place names, such as ROdT, San G, SML or Aix (for Aix en Provence), goes - it's just easier and, within the context of the posting, rarely causes any difficulties.

FWIW and WADR, unless shown otherwise, I always assume DH and DW reflect genuine affection on the part of the writer. Maybe there are some better words to connote affection that I am missing?

OTOH, beloved (BW), cherished (CW), treasured (TW), or precious (PW) <b>WOULD</b> be cloying...

My opinion:
- I don't like DH, DW, and the like, but that is a style preference.
- I dislike referring to a city by its airport code: it strikes me as pretentious and imprecise. LHR is an airport, not a city.
- I don't much care for abbreviations such as IMHO, and I particularly dislike LOL when used to mean &quot;I am being amusing&quot; rather than &quot;I am amused at what somebody else wrote&quot;.
- Who needs smileys? People communicated in writing successfully for eons without them.
- Going slightly beyond the issue here, I think it disappointing that some people find it difficult to jest or tease without feeling compelled to add &quot;Just kidding&quot;. I would rather trust the reader to react intelligently.

I respectfully disagree with you, Ira, as TIA and DIL are not words or acronyms. The distinction is that acronyms are pronounced (like a word) as they are spelled. Abbreviations are not, one says the initials or something. I've never heard anyone use DIL as a word (or TIA, but I'm not around doctors that often). Maybe WOMBAT, I don't know about that one, but even if you think DIL is a word, DH and DS etc are not.

I don't assume it's affection at all, as everyone says it, and they are just copying those initials and other people. I also know someone who referred to her DH as her &quot;darling husband&quot; while she was planning her divorce. It doesn't mean anything at all.

Padraig, I have been misunderstood on these threads when I was kidding or teasing and it came across as serious. How can anyone tell if they don't know me or my humor. Or if they can't see facial expression.

If you know the person it is different but we are anon here for the most part.

RAdio Detection And Ranging, or
Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.

It is quite possible that are you married to a RADAR or a SCUBA, but I think when refering to family member, a few extra keystrokes is not unreasonable.

Hi C,

TIA is pronounced tee a
DIL is pronounced dill

Both are just as acceptable as HUAC.

DH and DS are, as you note, abbreviations.

Hi P,

&gt;I think it disappointing that some people find it difficult to jest or tease without feeling compelled to add &quot;Just kidding&quot;. I would rather trust the reader to react intelligently.&lt;

As one who has found it increasingly necessary to put smileys all over the place I agree with you, but fear that it is a losing battle.

ira wrote: &quot;As one who has found it increasingly necessary to put smileys all over the place I agree with you, but fear that it is a losing battle.&quot;

I'll stand my ground, and am prepared to go down fighting.

I have an image of some participants in this forum pursing their lips even before they read the posts.

No smileys here, and no just kiddings either. If I attempt humor and, as so often happens, it falls flat, people are not going to think it's any funnier with a smiley after it.

My biggest regret is that I did not get a smiley toilet seat. It seemed so appropriate (Insert smiley face becaause I do not know how to do a smiley face.)