https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:57:05 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-871867 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:34:12 +0000 Irene 871867@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not being a native English speaker, I was baffled at first with acronyms like:</p> <p>SO<br /> DH<br /> DD<br /> ASAP (ok, that one was a looong time ago)<br /> FWIW<br /> TMI<br /> FYI</p> <p>The list could go oooon and oooon</p> <p>I also don't understand when people on the forum talk about American retail stores. Except for maybe Zara, MANGO (which originally are from my country), H&amp;M and Forever21. It really doesn't bother me one bit. I accept that it is normal that women here will talk about stuff I don't know about because *I* am the outsider. And *I* have to get used to it. </p> <p>I didn't know what RATE, PPP, ALGO or MOTG meant for a long time either. When I got interested enough in finding the meanings out, I did. I don't think I ever asjed anyone about it. I just did my research.</p> <p>I'll admit that a list would be a good idea, but I disagree in that newcomers will feel intimidated because of this, specifically. I think newcomers feel intimidated by many other things, like the style quotient of many participants or the many 'rules' as to what you can wear and what you can't and so on. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-871803 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 20:51:05 +0000 Angie 871803@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Zap, I hear you. Inge is working on a list actually. </p> <p>Mamapicklejuice, I hear you too. We want all newbies and hiatus veterans to feel welcome again, and acronym overload can be off-putting. </p> <p>Una, a middle ground seems reasonable, and thanks for suggesting that. </p> <p>Personally, I use the odd acronym, and will continue to do so because I must save my wrists and arms. They are damaged and I have to prioritize my typing. I cannot continue YLF if I can no longer type. That said, I try to keep acronyms to a minimum, and only use well known ones like: </p> <p>FWIW = for what it's worth</p> <p>BR = Banana Republic</p> <p>AT= Ann Taylor</p> <p>RATE = Rough around the edges</p> <p>UWP = Urban Warrior Princess</p> <p>PPL = Perfect Pant Lengths</p> <p>MOTG = Mum On The Go</p> <p>SAHM = Stay At Home Mum </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-871665 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:27:01 +0000 catgirl 871665@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think there's a middle ground here. For instance, I kind of came up with the term RATE (Rough Around the Edges) to describe my own style, and now I almost think of it as a descriptor. Every now and then I'll start to do a shopping search and realize I can't just type "RATE" into the description. If you are around for even a short time, you'll get what RATE style means. I don't really want to type it out every time, as it's become a term of its own in my mind, like LOL.</p> <p>A fixed place for abbreviations would definitely be a good idea, especially for people who are new or not native English speakers. I feel like these types of terms are part of the evolution of the site. At the same time, I don't want to exclude anybody. </p> <p>I agree with Zap that regular participation on the forum reaps the most reward proportionally, but think how much value and information anyone can get just by reading here, even without signing in or participating. I think it's inevitable that those who participate more are going to shape the vibe of the forum more - it's scary to jump in and start being one of those people, but it makes a difference (I'm looking at you, Raisin you fab thing!). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-871645 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:16:17 +0000 Anonymous 871645@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't think that is the case now Anna, but I am starting to feel like the rabid dog that's not letting the bone go. Perhaps you are all right, let's use standard MLA and spell out the acronym with the first use. Most forums have a "sticky" with acronyms and guide to newbies though. </p> <p>Angie, I volunteer to come up with something along those lines, if you are interested and feel that would be useful to the community. ( Guide to new users and acronym list). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-871635 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:09:34 +0000 annagybe 871635@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with Mamapickle juice on the over use of acronyms. There doesn't need to be an acronym for every phrase and specific instance. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-871615 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:47:36 +0000 Mamapicklejuice 871615@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The big difference is that you are talking about work. If you didn't put effort in, I assume you wouldn't be working any more. YLF membership is voluntary. We need to make the forum as inviting as possible to everyone.</p> <p>BTW, I edited my former post. As you'll see, I am not completely anti-acronym...FYI. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-871613 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:44:55 +0000 Anonymous 871613@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think is par for the course. I'll give you an example. I was just added to a team that has been working on a project for about 10 months. These people speak another "language" full of terminology I was not familiar with. I never expected anyone to come to me with a list of explanations or go back to using plain language to talk shop. I had to go back and research, read past meeting notes, look for answers, and occasionally ask if I did not understand something. That is what you do, you try to catch up.</p> <p>As a newcomer here or anywhere else for that matter, you have to be willing to put a little effort and familiarize (or re familiarize) yourself with what's going on. The forum has a life of its own and evolves accordingly. Feeling lost comes with it. It has happened to me too. </p> <p>We'll just agree on disagreeing.</p> <p>ETA: I am not sure where the preponderance of the word cliquish is coming from, but I am starting to take offense. I think the regulars, including myself, put a lot of time and effort to the forum because we love to talk shop AND we want to continue to build the friendships we developed here. Calling the forum " cliquish" is calling us " cliquish". I find that pretty hurtful.</p> <p>ETA2: I agree with you, the voluntary nature of our participation here is what makes all of these perceived how to's feel like work... to me...and no, I would do exactly the same thing, catch up, if this was a leisure situation.</p> <p>I guess we all could take the time to write things up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-871607 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:32:44 +0000 Mamapicklejuice 871607@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess this is where we respectfully disagree. Typing acronyms saves no time if you ultimately (and usually) have to type the whole thing out in explanation. And really, typing out 4-5 words takes a couple more nanoseconds than typing out individual letters.</p> <p>I have seen veterans come back from YLF-breaks and be completely lost. That is not inclusive and welcoming to me</p> <p>Here are my gently-meant stick-in-the-mud suggestions for acronym use:<br /> * as much as possible, do not use acronyms in the post title/header<br /> * Type out the acronym the first time (really, it takes all of .5 seconds) and then use the acronym later in the thread.</p> <p>I think this keeps the forum from seeming cliquey to newbies and foreign to veterans who have been away. It's a nice way to continue developing the YLF community with YLF-centric acronyms without making the forums completely unscannable to the "uninitiated." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-871602 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:22:55 +0000 Anonymous 871602@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mamapicklejuice, this forum is not really about newbies vs. veterans, as you know.Everyone is really trying their best to keep the community all inclusive. Typing takes time and we all have these darn jobs we need to attend to. Acronyms simplify things. That's why an acronym list is a great idea. Side note: It seems as if our list of "veteran duties and responsibilities" is increasing by the minute. I am getting overwhelmed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-871598 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:18:43 +0000 Anonymous 871598@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>TIA - Thanks in advance<br /> MDAL - Mutton dressed as lamb </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-871597 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:18:00 +0000 Mamapicklejuice 871597@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It would be great if veterans could keep acronym use to a minimum. Barely a thread goes by that someone, somewhere on the thread doesn't ask what the acronym used actually means. Seems simpler and more friendlier to just type things out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-871594 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:15:52 +0000 Anonymous 871594@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Stores:<br /> BR - Banana Republic<br /> Nordies - Nordstrom<br /> R&amp;B - Rag and Bone<br /> TB- Tory Burch<br /> KS - Kate Spade<br /> 7FAM- 7 for all mankind </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-871548 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:53:01 +0000 Anonymous 871548@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It was the store and designer abbreviations that tripped me up the most, as I had never heard of most of them. Don't worry, you'll catch on! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-871546 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:51:38 +0000 Anonymous 871546@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>FTW = For The Win</p> <p>ROTFL= Rolling On The Floor Laughing </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-871544 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:50:23 +0000 Raisin 871544@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh my gosh, MOTB had me confused for so long, lol! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-871542 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:48:34 +0000 REFINING ONESELF 871542@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As another newbie, I appreciate the quick guide, thanks </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-859950 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 03:20:54 +0000 hedgiehog 859950@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Whew! My head is spinning......I have a lot to learn. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-859946 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 03:09:42 +0000 amiable 859946@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>MOTG = Mom on the Go<br /> MOTB = Mother of the Bride</p> <p>These had me confused for a while </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-856538 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 03:44:55 +0000 Carla 856538@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks a bunch! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-856533 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 03:40:37 +0000 Carole 856533@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>All those acronyms keep me on my toes, that's for sure. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-856531 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 03:39:16 +0000 velvetychocolate 856531@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ALGO = A lot going on<br /> K/T = Keep or Toss<br /> SYB = Shop Your Budget</p> <p>You're doing quite well - I have a hard time keeping up with all the acronyms too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-856516 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 03:27:00 +0000 CocoLion 856516@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>BBQ = better buy quick</p> <p>ETA = Edited to add</p> <p>PPL = Perfect Pants Length</p> <p>Maybe everyone could contribute to this thread and Greg could make it a permanent one like the "Welcome to the YLF forum" and "Who's Who" threads. ( Is this type of thread called a stickie?) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-856504 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 03:12:55 +0000 Suz 856504@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are doing brilliantly, Runcaria! We keep talking about a permanent thread for these, or maybe even a tab for them. Not sure what the best option would be. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-856499 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 03:09:59 +0000 Sveta 856499@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>K/R - keep / return<br /> PPP - patient + picky + practical (Angie did a post once on this:<br /> <a href="http://youlookfab.com/2012/01/11/the-triple-p-purchasing-principle/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2012/01/.....principle/</a></p> <p>Alos these forum posts:<br /> <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-coined-a-ylf-acronym" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....lf-acronym</a></p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/acronyms-and-angieisms" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-angieisms</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-about-acronyms#post-856497 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 03:08:05 +0000 Carla 856497@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've looked about the site for a list of the acronyms and what they stand for, but haven't located such a thing. I've figured out:</p> <p>RATE - rough around the edges<br /> PPW - price per wear<br /> UW - urban warrior (sometimes with prince or princess)<br /> SYC - shop your closet</p> <p>But what is:</p> <p>K/R ?<br /> PPP ?</p> <p>And please list any others that are in common usage for this newbie! </p>