this is the code for the render ad
Community› Wedding Discussion Boards› Wedding Party
Wedding Party
New Discussion

Okay, a silly abbreviation question

trix1223trix1223 member
5000 Comments 25 Love Its Combo Breaker
in Wedding Party
This is silly, but I was just posting on another board, and it made me think of something that always give me pause when I use knottie abbreviations. 

I hope this makes sense:  when I read a post, and it has FG or RB in it, I read it in my head as effgee or arbee, not flower girl or ring bearer.  Another one is HM which I read to myself as aich-emm.

Now for the silly question part:  the reading of it changes the article before it.  You'd have AN arbee, but A ringbearer.  You'd take AN aich-em, but A honeymoon.

So this is a completely inconsequential question, but the word and grammar person in me in intrigued by it.

So do you read it as the letters of the abbreviation, or what the abbreviation stands for?  =)
"Trix, it's what they/our parents wanted. Why so judgemental? And why is your wedding date over a year and a half ago? And why do you not have a groom's name? And why have you posted over 12,000 posts? And why do you always say mean things to brides?" palegirl146
Report Reply to Post

Re: Okay, a silly abbreviation question

  • lalap69lalap69 member
    1000 Comments
    I read the letters of the abbreviation, but grammatically treat them as if it was the word.  Partially because my brain automatically translates what I'm reading into the meaning of the word.

    Except for FI, which I mentally read as "fee-aye".  I actually catch myself wanting to say that outloud a lot.  This could be because I HATE the word fiance.
    Planning Our Wedding - Updated 04/11/11
    imageWedding Countdown Ticker
    "If you can't think of something nice to say, don't say something nice" - Stephen Colbert
    Report Reply
  • MairePoppyMairePoppy mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 500 Love Its
    I usually read them as letters and use a or an accordingly.  How about this one a mother of the bride, an MOB. or what if there are 2 or more Maids of honor. Are they abbreviated MOHs or MsOH? MsOH makes sense, but doesn't look right.
    And can someone tell me what DED stands for? Thanks
                       
    Report Reply
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    10000 Comments Fourth Anniversary 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    I read it for what it stands for.
    Report Reply
  • lalap69lalap69 member
    1000 Comments
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_okay-silly-abbreviation-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:a19e3aaa-d60e-4fb3-bee1-1cde988c519cPost:84c1b2e1-a04b-45f7-8aca-c327ce20a318">Re: Okay, a silly abbreviation question</a>:
    [QUOTE]And can someone tell me what DED stands for? Thanks
    Posted by MairePoppy[/QUOTE]
    It's just another way of saying DEAD, usally because something is really funny.
    Planning Our Wedding - Updated 04/11/11
    imageWedding Countdown Ticker
    "If you can't think of something nice to say, don't say something nice" - Stephen Colbert
    Report Reply
  • MairePoppyMairePoppy mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 500 Love Its
    Thanks, lala. I was reading it as an abbreviation.
                       
    Report Reply
  • bablingbrookebablingbrooke member
    5000 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    It really depends.  I usually consider MOH as "Em-Oh-Ach" but RB as "ring bearer" and BM as "bridesmaid."  But I go back and forth on it and try write my articles accordingly :)
    Courtesy of megk8oz
    image
    "I think bablingbrooke is the 13 yr old marring her cousin at the town hall. Lets all give her a big hand. And hope her inbred children can live normal lives." -tabs.

    A word of warning from your friends at Cracked.com: Remember that text is going to be how you make your first impression over the internet; if every third word you type is misspelled, people will automatically assume that you're a moron.
    Report Reply
  • aerinpegadrakaerinpegadrak member
    10000 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_okay-silly-abbreviation-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:a19e3aaa-d60e-4fb3-bee1-1cde988c519cPost:2922b09e-7517-445f-8aec-295a9bb742c7">Re: Okay, a silly abbreviation question</a>:
    [QUOTE]It really depends.  I usually consider MOH as "Em-Oh-Ach" but RB as "ring bearer" and BM as "bridesmaid."  But I go back and forth on it and try write my articles accordingly :)
    Posted by bablingbrooke[/QUOTE]
    I am pretty much the same way.  MOH, BM, STD, DH, all those get read as the letters.  But things like HM, RB, FG, my brain mentally translates those into the full term.

    I read FI as "fee."  Don't know why.
    This is a neglected planning bio.
    This is a belated married bio, with no reviews yet because I'm lazy.

    image
    Sometimes I feel like people think that brides are delicate little flower princesses who get all dressed up and pretty for one special moment of their dreams, when really they're just normal people who just happen to be getting married. Things shouldn't have to be sugar-coated for grown-ass women. -mstar284
    Report Reply
  • frogurt814frogurt814
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    MOH, BM, FI, DH, I ususally just read the letters.

    RB, FG, HM, I usually read as the word...ring bearer, flower girl, honeymoon, etc.

    I've never really thought about that before.  Interesting question, Trix.
    image
    Report Reply
  • megk8ozmegk8oz member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2010
    "FI" is the only one I ever read as a "word" (And even then, I read it as a word that's pronounced "FI"-rhymes with "sigh", so I'm still doing it wrong, hahaha).

    The others I read as individual letters. Which drives me nuts on "RB" questions, because I always want to write "an" in (Since I'm reading "are-bee"), I literally have to fight myself to leave it as "a". But,  I assume everybody else reads it as the word "ring bearer", and I don't want people to think I can't distinguish when "a" or "an" is appropriate.

    If you fire a WP member, you're against America.
    image

    "Meg cracks me up on the regular. Now she gets to do it in two different forums. Yay!!" ~mkrupar
    Report Reply
  • trix1223trix1223 member
    5000 Comments 25 Love Its Combo Breaker
    we are all such grammar geeks.  I think that's why I'm so comfy on this board.  =)
    "Trix, it's what they/our parents wanted. Why so judgemental? And why is your wedding date over a year and a half ago? And why do you not have a groom's name? And why have you posted over 12,000 posts? And why do you always say mean things to brides?" palegirl146
    Report Reply
  • tldhtldh member
    2500 Comments
    I read MOH, MOB and GOB as words.  Everything else I automatically substitute the word.
    image
    AKA GoodLuckBear14
    Report Reply
  • gottahavashortigottahavashorti member
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    I read DH as the letters, FI as "fee," and most of the rest I read as the full words.  I'm not huge on the phrase "dear husband" and like lalap, I hate the word fiance, so that's probably why I treat those two differently.

    I honestly am not sure which articles I use.  I probably use the ones associated with the full words, but that's just a guess.
    image

    Planning/Married Biology
    Report Reply
  • megk8ozmegk8oz member
    2500 Comments
    One of the things I love about TK is finding out just how many women actually hate the word "fiance". I seriously spent most of my engagement a) hating the word, and b) feeling like a jerk for hating the word.

    Whenever I would talk to people, I would refer to him as "My ... um, Brian" and "the guy I'm marrying" ... I know, it sounds awful, but I really hated using the "f-word". I have no idea why, it just did not sound right to me. While DH was aware of it (He actually hates the word, too, and would go to similar lengths to avoid using it) ... we were always afraid to admit it to other people, thinking they'd take it as we didn't really want to get married or something.

    I'm really glad knowing we're not the only people that hate the word.



    If you fire a WP member, you're against America.
    image

    "Meg cracks me up on the regular. Now she gets to do it in two different forums. Yay!!" ~mkrupar
    Report Reply
  • lalap69lalap69 member
    1000 Comments
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_okay-silly-abbreviation-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:a19e3aaa-d60e-4fb3-bee1-1cde988c519cPost:43cc0816-3d7e-4b57-a191-9ae805203953">Re: Okay, a silly abbreviation question</a>:
    [QUOTE]One of the things I love about TK is finding out just how many women actually hate the word "fiance". I seriously spent most of my engagement a) hating the word, and b) feeling like a jerk for hating the word. <strong>Whenever I would talk to people, I would refer to him as "My ... um, Brian" and "the guy I'm marrying" ... I know, it sounds awful, but I really hated using the "f-word".</strong> I have no idea why, it just did not sound right to me. While DH was aware of it (He actually hates the word, too, and would go to similar lengths to avoid using it) ... we were always afraid to admit it to other people, thinking they'd take it as we didn't really want to get married or something. I'm really glad knowing we're not the only people that hate the word.
    Posted by megk8oz[/QUOTE]
    I do this!!  It's been so hard coming up with words that work for me.  For a while I just kept calling him my boyfriend, even though it wasn't technically accurate anymore.  I'll use fiance in situations where I think it would come across really inappropriately if I didn't, but it's uncomfortable.

    I wish I could call him my "fee" or "fee-aye" in RL lol.
    Planning Our Wedding - Updated 04/11/11
    imageWedding Countdown Ticker
    "If you can't think of something nice to say, don't say something nice" - Stephen Colbert
    Report Reply
  • megk8ozmegk8oz member
    2500 Comments
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_okay-silly-abbreviation-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:a19e3aaa-d60e-4fb3-bee1-1cde988c519cPost:48b7cd5d-7834-4535-8631-f3a520749ffd">Re: Okay, a silly abbreviation question</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Okay, a silly abbreviation question : I do this!!  It's been so hard coming up with words that work for me.  For a while I just kept calling him my boyfriend, even though it wasn't technically accurate anymore.  I'll use fiance in situations where I think it would come across really inappropriately if I didn't, but it's uncomfortable<strong>. I wish I could call him my "fee" or "fee-aye" in RL lol.</strong>
    Posted by lalap69[/QUOTE]

    I once slipped and used my pronounciation of FI when asking DH a question once. It was something like "So, FI, what do you think?" (My version rhymes with "sigh"), and he looked at me and said "What did you just say?", realizing my mistake,  lamely tried to cover with "So, <strong>Bri</strong>, what do you think?". I've never before that moment called him "Bri", so yeah, bust-ed.<img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif" border="0" alt="Foot in mouth" title="Foot in mouth" />

    If you fire a WP member, you're against America.
    image

    "Meg cracks me up on the regular. Now she gets to do it in two different forums. Yay!!" ~mkrupar
    Report Reply
  • lalap69lalap69 member
    1000 Comments
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_okay-silly-abbreviation-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:a19e3aaa-d60e-4fb3-bee1-1cde988c519cPost:68bd8501-c09d-4a59-b2a8-874fa4364fba">Re: Okay, a silly abbreviation question</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Okay, a silly abbreviation question : I once slipped and used my pronounciation of FI when asking DH a question once. It was something like "So, FI, what do you think?" (My version rhymes with "sigh"), and he looked at me and said "What did you just say?", realizing my mistake,  lamely tried to cover with "So, Bri , what do you think?". I've never before that moment called him "Bri", so yeah, bust-ed.
    Posted by megk8oz[/QUOTE]
    Hahaha that's awesome!

    I would also prefer calling him my FI-rhymes-with-sigh (I had no idea how to write FI phonetically to indicate that).
    Planning Our Wedding - Updated 04/11/11
    imageWedding Countdown Ticker
    "If you can't think of something nice to say, don't say something nice" - Stephen Colbert
    Report Reply
  • trix1223trix1223 member
    5000 Comments 25 Love Its Combo Breaker
    When I hear someone use the term Fiance, all I can think of is that Seinfeld episode where the chick keeps saying "Has anyone seen my FIANCE?  I think my FIANCE must have gone into the next room.  I don't know where my FIANCE is.  Do any of you know where my FIANCE is?"  and on and on.  It amused me.
    "Trix, it's what they/our parents wanted. Why so judgemental? And why is your wedding date over a year and a half ago? And why do you not have a groom's name? And why have you posted over 12,000 posts? And why do you always say mean things to brides?" palegirl146
    Report Reply
  • megk8ozmegk8oz member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2010
    It's just such a silly word!

    I think part of my aversion to it is there were so many girls in middle and high school that would refer to any "serious" boyfriend as their "fiance". It's almost like the word "fiance" became the new "going steady". And it annoyed me then, as it does now.

    One girl that I was actually good friends with for a long time (I have no idea why I stayed friends as long as I did) literally did this with any guy she dated for more than a week. After the 7-day mark, he became her "fiance". And she had the same plan for every last one of them: "The wedding is going to be the weekend after graduation-so we can keep the party going!". She actually was dumped like 2 weeks before the prom because she asked her date if she should have gotten a white dress for prom instead to "save money on the wedding gown" and then asked if people would think it was weird if her wedding dress was purple.

    You have no idea how much I wish I was making that up.

    If you fire a WP member, you're against America.
    image

    "Meg cracks me up on the regular. Now she gets to do it in two different forums. Yay!!" ~mkrupar
    Report Reply
  • lalap69lalap69 member
    1000 Comments
    Oh my word.  I've read a lot of ridiculous things on these boards, but that's got to be right there at the top!

    If any guy had ever referred to me as his fiancee after 7 days, I would have been running for the hills screaming.  I'm not surprised that guy left her!
    Planning Our Wedding - Updated 04/11/11
    imageWedding Countdown Ticker
    "If you can't think of something nice to say, don't say something nice" - Stephen Colbert
    Report Reply
  • aerinpegadrakaerinpegadrak member
    10000 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    DH was taken ring shopping on a first date.  The girl said she just needed to drop off her grandmother's ring at the jeweler before dinner, so he said sure.  Then a salesperson asked if she could help, and the chick said that they were shopping for engagement rings.  He felt obliged to finish the date, so they went to dinner, and ate in dead silence.

    He'll often read over my shoulder while I'm Knotting, so he's referred to himself as my "fee" before.  It's cute.
    This is a neglected planning bio.
    This is a belated married bio, with no reviews yet because I'm lazy.

    image
    Sometimes I feel like people think that brides are delicate little flower princesses who get all dressed up and pretty for one special moment of their dreams, when really they're just normal people who just happen to be getting married. Things shouldn't have to be sugar-coated for grown-ass women. -mstar284
    Report Reply
  • lalap69lalap69 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2010
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_okay-silly-abbreviation-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:a19e3aaa-d60e-4fb3-bee1-1cde988c519cPost:693de554-3037-4a63-b9f0-3e13520fe2b3">Re: Okay, a silly abbreviation question</a>:
    [QUOTE]DH was taken ring shopping on a first date.  The girl said she just needed to drop off her grandmother's ring at the jeweler before dinner, so he said sure.  Then a salesperson asked if she could help, and the chick said that they were shopping for engagement rings.  He felt obliged to finish the date, so they went to dinner, and ate in dead silence. He'll often read over my shoulder while I'm Knotting, so he's referred to himself as my "fee" before.  It's cute.
    Posted by aerinpegadrak[/QUOTE]
    I cannot believe that he didn't run screaming from the store.  Your DH must be a very brave man, Aerin!
    Planning Our Wedding - Updated 04/11/11
    imageWedding Countdown Ticker
    "If you can't think of something nice to say, don't say something nice" - Stephen Colbert
    Report Reply
  • JCM10JCM10 member
    Third Anniversary 100 Comments
    I just read it as the word it's supposed to be...never occurred to me to shorten it. I usually don't use abbreviations, except for FI, anyway, because half the time have to think when I see them and sometimes can't figure them out....so I just write the whole word. 

    And it's never occurred to me to dislike the word 'fiance' either...what's wrong with it? My fiance and I say it A LOT...because we love that we're upgraded from boyfriend/girlfriend!

    My Planning Bio!

    Wedding Countdown Ticker
    Report Reply
  • megk8ozmegk8oz member
    2500 Comments
    Aerin, really? Ring shopping on the first date? And I thought Miss "7+ day = engaged" was bad!

    Can I ask if she ever called again? Or if he had to "let her down gently" at some point? Lol.

    If you fire a WP member, you're against America.
    image

    "Meg cracks me up on the regular. Now she gets to do it in two different forums. Yay!!" ~mkrupar
    Report Reply
  • aerinpegadrakaerinpegadrak member
    10000 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    According to him, they never spoke again.  He ran into a LOT of crazies while dating.
    This is a neglected planning bio.
    This is a belated married bio, with no reviews yet because I'm lazy.

    image
    Sometimes I feel like people think that brides are delicate little flower princesses who get all dressed up and pretty for one special moment of their dreams, when really they're just normal people who just happen to be getting married. Things shouldn't have to be sugar-coated for grown-ass women. -mstar284
    Report Reply
  • lalap69lalap69 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2010
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_okay-silly-abbreviation-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:a19e3aaa-d60e-4fb3-bee1-1cde988c519cPost:0f5de16b-7e7f-4162-964b-534c866d6e2e">Re: Okay, a silly abbreviation question</a>:
    [QUOTE]I just read it as the word it's supposed to be...never occurred to me to shorten it. I usually don't use abbreviations, except for FI, anyway, because half the time have to think when I see them and sometimes can't figure them out....so I just write the whole word.  <strong>And it's never occurred to me to dislike the word 'fiance' either...what's wrong with it? My fiance and I say it A LOT...because we love that we're upgraded from boyfriend/girlfriend!</strong>
    Posted by JCM10[/QUOTE]
    It doesn't "occur" to someone to dislike something.  You just don't.  It has an ugly and pretentious sound to my ear.

    I'm glad you're happy with your "upgrade" but now you're reminding me of that woman from Seinfield! (I think someone mentioned this upthread) lol
    Planning Our Wedding - Updated 04/11/11
    imageWedding Countdown Ticker
    "If you can't think of something nice to say, don't say something nice" - Stephen Colbert
    Report Reply
  • megk8ozmegk8oz member
    2500 Comments
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_okay-silly-abbreviation-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:a19e3aaa-d60e-4fb3-bee1-1cde988c519cPost:b6de0978-f4e5-4944-8c7e-28cea2edaa13">Re: Okay, a silly abbreviation question</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Okay, a silly abbreviation question :<strong> It doesn't "occur" to someone to dislike something.  You just don't. </strong> It has an ugly and pretentious sound to my ear. I'm glad you're happy with your "upgrade" but now you're reminding me of that woman from Seinfield! (I think someone mentioned this upthread) lol
    Posted by lalap69[/QUOTE]

    Pretty much. I don't know why I don't like the word, I just don't. I also can't tell you exactly why I don't like the words "flesh" or "panties"-there is no logical explanation for it, I just don't.

    I actually loved being engaged (And had no real problem with that particular term), and it was great to take that step in our relationship. Not liking the word had no bearing on how DH and I felt about each other.

    If you fire a WP member, you're against America.
    image

    "Meg cracks me up on the regular. Now she gets to do it in two different forums. Yay!!" ~mkrupar
    Report Reply
  • JCM10JCM10 member
    Third Anniversary 100 Comments
    Okay, well maybe "occur" threw off my comment...but I've never heard anyone say they didn't like the word until this thread!

    My Planning Bio!

    Wedding Countdown Ticker
    Report Reply
  • trix1223trix1223 member
    5000 Comments 25 Love Its Combo Breaker
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_okay-silly-abbreviation-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:a19e3aaa-d60e-4fb3-bee1-1cde988c519cPost:f32d198f-b540-421f-8d6f-905d598490a4">Re: Okay, a silly abbreviation question</a>:
    [QUOTE]Okay, well maybe "occur" threw off my comment...but I've never heard anyone say they didn't like the word until this thread!
    Posted by JCM10[/QUOTE]

    Well, now you've heard of another person who thinks "fiance" sounds silly and pretentious. =)

     I've always wished there was another term (besides betrothed) that could be used.
    "Trix, it's what they/our parents wanted. Why so judgemental? And why is your wedding date over a year and a half ago? And why do you not have a groom's name? And why have you posted over 12,000 posts? And why do you always say mean things to brides?" palegirl146
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards