Language and Abbreviations

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   snafu is a similar word that comes to mind, since as I understand it in the original phrase the F stands for something similar as in wtf.  However, I have not in my experience found anyone to be offended by the use of snafu even in relatively formal business settings. 
I think it's possible that some abbreviations gradually become so far removed from their roots that even if the original phrase included an offensive word, they have ceased to offend.  I'm not sure where wtf is on this continuum -- it's not an abbreviation I myself would choose to use, and its overuse does tend to raise my eyebrows.  However, I would glibly say "what the heck?" which would have been considered borderline offensive in some circles when I was young.

I think aj makes a good point that it's wise to consider that there is a broad audience in Illy, people from all countries and different language and cultural backgrounds.  While WTF probably has more or less the same literal meaning for everyone (at least all who have any idea what it means), it probably has a different tone or color for different people.  It makes sense to be aware of this kind of thing when one is communicating.  In my opinion, it's not a matter of "right" or "wrong" or even "allowable" or "disallowable," but rather "what's the most effective way to communicate to the current audience" as well as "what does my general tone communicate about me?"

In this regard I tend to err on the side of maximum liberty, as long as no one is harassed, abused etc. by the communication.

In other words, what the heck, do what you want.

Edited by Rill - 07 Jan 2016 at 23:18

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Rill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Postmaster General Player Council - Geographer Joined: 17 Jun 2011 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 6903	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rill Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2016 at 23:16
	snafu is a similar word that comes to mind, since as I understand it in the original phrase the F stands for something similar as in wtf. However, I have not in my experience found anyone to be offended by the use of snafu even in relatively formal business settings. I think it's possible that some abbreviations gradually become so far removed from their roots that even if the original phrase included an offensive word, they have ceased to offend. I'm not sure where wtf is on this continuum -- it's not an abbreviation I myself would choose to use, and its overuse does tend to raise my eyebrows. However, I would glibly say "what the heck?" which would have been considered borderline offensive in some circles when I was young. I think aj makes a good point that it's wise to consider that there is a broad audience in Illy, people from all countries and different language and cultural backgrounds. While WTF probably has more or less the same literal meaning for everyone (at least all who have any idea what it means), it probably has a different tone or color for different people. It makes sense to be aware of this kind of thing when one is communicating. In my opinion, it's not a matter of "right" or "wrong" or even "allowable" or "disallowable," but rather "what's the most effective way to communicate to the current audience" as well as "what does my general tone communicate about me?" In this regard I tend to err on the side of maximum liberty, as long as no one is harassed, abused etc. by the communication. In other words, what the heck, do what you want. Edited by Rill - 07 Jan 2016 at 23:18

scottfitz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Warrior Joined: 22 Apr 2010 Location: Spokane WA USA Status: Offline Points: 433	Post Options Post Reply Quote scottfitz Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2016 at 17:30
	I am only ever offended by usage, never merely by a word itself. The acronym "WTF" conveys confusion or lack of comprehension, and as such is rarely offensive, save for a small subgroup of people who choose to be dogmatically offended by every instance of a word from their own personal list of words they consider inherently offensive. The word represented by the "F" in the above acronym, when used alone, generally either conveys frustration, which I do not find offensive, or it conveys anger or insult, which I do generally find offesive. It's not the word that is inherently offensive, it is always the usage, and only the usage. (A third use of that particular word is as an generic adjective to bolster an otherwise impoverished vocabulary; I find that usage just sad.) The DEVs have a list of words that they correctly assume a significant number of people will choose to be offended by, so they sensibly ban those words. They can hardly ban the letter "F"

Hyrdmoth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Wordsmith Joined: 02 Jul 2015 Status: Offline Points: 164	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hyrdmoth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2016 at 17:21
	I listened to some (otherwise very good) Yale lectures on Ancient Greek History, and one thing that really grated was the habit the lecturer had of saying "O, M, G." So, some people clearly do just hear/speak the letters. Having said that, as a scientist, I would always define any acronym/abbreviation that I use when first introducing it, so as to avoid any possibility of it being misunderstood.

GM Rikoo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Community & PR Manager Joined: 28 Mar 2014 Location: Mars Status: Offline Points: 1233	Post Options Post Reply Quote GM Rikoo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2016 at 17:11
	I am not sure what all of this is about, but when a player mentions bans on certain words, I'll need to step in just to clarify. 1) We don't allow certain words because we do allow players down to 13 years of age. While a person with any % of creativity can find a way around this filter, we are certainly not going to give MORE tools to the person who wants to mention something naughty to a younger person, or to someone who does not care to read it. And, yes, you can still be "punished" for using words that are different but mean the same thing. 2) We have many, many, players who play from an office or while at work. We like to make the game safe enough so that they can play without links or giant pictures popping up on their feed. This is a lesser reason, of course, but a valid one. 3) Particular words -- no matter how deeply we look into their meaning or use -- will always cause an argument. Don't look at us... we didn't invent the words or the reactions. This list also includes words that personally offend us, like racial and sexual references. Anyway, sorry to interrupt. If anyone has particular questions about the rules, please let me know! Rikoo
	Illyriad Community Manager / Public Relations / community@illyriad.co.uk

Diva Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Warrior Joined: 20 Dec 2011 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 416	Post Options Post Reply Quote Diva Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2016 at 17:07
	I'm so in trouble now... but I'm used to it.
	"Um diva.... you are sort of acting like a .... diva...." - PhoenixFire

Lagavulin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Wordsmith Joined: 31 Dec 2012 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 187	Post Options Post Reply Quote Lagavulin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2016 at 17:01
	Nice post AJ. A side comment re WTF and similar abbreviations. To the extent that the ban on some words is to protect younger players then the use of WTF does not harm them since the player would already have to know what the last letter stands for and if she does then she already know the word. To the extent that the ban is just to keep GC pleasant then the use of WTF, and others, is more of a problem of course.

ajqtrz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Postmaster Joined: 24 May 2014 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 500	Post Options Post Reply Quote ajqtrz Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2016 at 15:53
	Everybody knows that some abbreviations are quite popular and make things more clear. If you are telling a joke that might be taken the wrong way in GC you might add "LOL" or an emoticon. Clarity of communication is always useful if you are trying to maintain good relations. At least that's my opinion. In GC some words are considered "banned." I'll not go over them as that might get this post banned. But what of those who use abbreviations for those banned words? When you see "WTF" do you hear in your mind the letters "W," "T", and "F?" I think not. So if the result of using those types of abbreviations is to trigger the actual words in the listeners mind, is it appropriate to use those abbreviations? (And yes, it may be that my use of "WTF" in this context may seem 'hypocritical,' but then again, an example had to be use or some wouldn't know about what I am speaking). Along the same track is this. We each wish our communication to be effective. As a former professor of Communication and one interested in how we communicate and how effective communication enhances our abilities and status in the community, (in general, though there are sometimes exceptions), you have to ask yourself is the use of "flowery" language an enhancement of your communication or a distraction. I think that, overall, if you use such language too much it's a distraction and can be socially dangerous. Think about it. Have you ever had anyone become uncomfortable because you DIDN'T use the "f-word?" In other words, most people, and in fact nearly universally, people respect "clean" language. In contrast there are a few, (I am not personally in this group) who will "write you off" the minute you use such language. And study after study shows that when you use such language, the more you rely upon it to express yourself, the less intelligent you sound to your audience. That's not just my opinion, that is what communication studies have consistently shown. In addition, the use of "colorful" language, if it's consistent, gives you no place to go should you wish to make a distinction between your normal heightened emotion and your really, really, heightened emotion. If you drop the "f-bomb" when you scrape your knee what do you have to get the message across that you broke your leg? So, pragmatically you have no where to go. I "cuss" on occasion, but it's so rare that when I do my family and my employees immediately take note and respond. I suspect that if I were to use such language on a regular basis they would become inoculated against my use of it and not respond so quickly or with real focus. Now some people will interpret this as "preachy." But notice that I've not said a thing about right or wrong. It's not a matter of right or wrong, but of wisdom. And wisdom is the ability to take knowledge, apply it to a situation, and get the results you wish. You live among people and you now know that respond to a lower rate of such language with higher estimate of the speaker. You now know, and have probably never thought about it, that if you use "ultimate" emotionally expressive words to express only moderate emotions you have no way to actually express those truly "ultimate" emotions. And you know that using the abbreviations for these words, while obviously allowed, is the same as using the words. The choice is, of course, up to you. Just some thoughts. Hopefully you too will respond with some considered and appropriate thoughts of your own. AJ