What do those initials mean?

**English Bloke** · 17th August 11, 10:18 PM

We also have members who's first language is not English. Surely it's better we don't exclude them by writing in code... Now using the vernacular on the other hand... Well, that's OK.

**Steve Ashton** · 18th August 11, 02:31 AM

OK folks, "OP" stands for "Original Poster" or if you will "Original Author". This is the person who starts a new thread. We use this to determine who in effect 'owns' the thread.

As far as the staff goes the OP may request a thread closed, deleted, or may edit the thread in any way they deem fit.

For example, if someone posts an item in the For Sale Section, they may request the thread closed when the item is sold.

As the staff never edit someone else's thread or post without their permission we use this term "OP" to determine who can request, or who we would have to seek permission from, to edit a typo in the title of a thread or to fix a pic link.

Of course any member may edit their own thread or post at any time.

**AFS1970** · 18th August 11, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by Nick the DSM

I don't want 2!!!

...and Y should U?

**Mike_Oettle** · 18th August 11, 02:11 PM

Tobus remarked that MoD was not intuitive for Americans. Well, for non-Americans, nor is UK for Utilikilt. We automatically think United Kingdom.

John (English Bloke) dropped a mention of OK . . . well, strictly speaking this should not be initialese. I always write it as okay. It is a word of West African origin (it has cognates in at least four different languages spoken in that region) and was carried to the Americas by slaves.
In Jamaica it pops up as akay.

While I have got used to seeing initialese of various kinds in net posts, I personally prefer proper language – and as someone else remarked, it is easier for those who visit this forum whose home language is not English.
Regards,
Mike

**Tobus** · 18th August 11, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Mike_Oettle

John (English Bloke) dropped a mention of OK . . . well, strictly speaking this should not be initialese. I always write it as okay. It is a word of West African origin (it has cognates in at least four different languages spoken in that region) and was carried to the Americas by slaves.
In Jamaica it pops up as akay.

That is certainly one of the claims, but it seems to be undocumented.

I much prefer the theory that it came from the Scots "och aye".

**kc8ufv** · 18th August 11, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by Mike_Oettle

Tobus remarked that MoD was not intuitive for Americans. Well, for non-Americans, nor is UK for Utilikilt. We automatically think United Kingdom.

John (English Bloke) dropped a mention of OK . . . well, strictly speaking this should not be initialese. I always write it as okay. It is a word of West African origin (it has cognates in at least four different languages spoken in that region) and was carried to the Americas by slaves.
In Jamaica it pops up as akay.

While I have got used to seeing initialese of various kinds in net posts, I personally prefer proper language – and as someone else remarked, it is easier for those who visit this forum whose home language is not English.
Regards,
Mike

Here, OK can be an acknoledgment or a state. The wonders of our postal system. Between the US and Canada, there are about 70 differnt 2 letter abreviations for an area.

**OC Richard** · 18th August 11, 07:54 PM

In piping/traditional ("trad") music circles we have

GHB Great Highland Bagpipes
SSP Scottish Smallpipes
BP Borderpipes
NSP Northumbrian Smallpipes
UP Uilleann Pipes
PC Practice Chanter

From the world of Scottish pipe band competition:

MSR March, Strathspey, and Reel
QMM Quick March Medley
MAP (?)
EP Ensemble Preference
PM Pipe Major
PS Pipe Sergeant
DM Drum Major
DS Drum Sergeant

And Scottish military units:

RSDG Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
SG Scots Guards
A&SH Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
QOH Queen's Own Highlanders
RRS Royal Regiment of Scotland
RS Royal Scots
BW Black Watch

And from the world of Irish Traditional Music:

ITM

Gotta run! I have to pick up the DSRs from DCA and take them to TDA.

**Chirs** · 18th August 11, 10:09 PM

For myself (and for myself alone) I follow a simple rule: if it's not worth writing it's not worth reading. When I encounter a post that is too difficult to read, often because it contains non-words (like "2" for "to" and/or "too") or lacks appropriate capitalization and punctuation, I simply skip that post and read on. It is not for me to demand that another person communicates in a manner that can be understood by any and all. I am certain there are many who find my style difficult to understand and they have, so far, demonstrated the courtesy of restraint; it is a small thing to return the favour.

**Calico** · 19th August 11, 03:51 PM

Hm, is it agreed though that I can say 'HRH' on this board when discussing an example of a person who wears the kilt well and be understood without bothering to write out his name and title(s) (which, with me being American, I have never really known)?

**Downunder Kilt** · 19th August 11, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by Calico

Hm, is it agreed though that I can say 'HRH' on this board when discussing an example of a person who wears the kilt well and be understood without bothering to write out his name and title(s) (which, with me being American, I have never really known)?

I think if you add just a Prince Charles or Duke of Rothesay, then we all know who you are talking about. If you just go with HRH then you maybe talking about his father