ext_172943 ([identity profile] library-keeper.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] sashagoblin 2010-01-22 06:27 pm (UTC)

Agreed, except that I don't think it's true to say that these are acronyms 'everyone will understand'. Everyone doesn't. In practice their use is restricted to internet-savvy members of Generation Y, a smaller group than you might suppose. (Personally, I recognise most of the acronyms you list, but what is WWD? Wikipedia suggests Women's Wear Daily but I wouldn't say this 'comes up a lot' in your writing.) I don't get hung up about correctness -- I'm a descriptivist, not a prescriptivist -- but I think there's a risk of excluding people by using acronyms; it can come across as a way of saying 'are you cool enough to be in my gang?'

As for 'fuck', you don't always realise the effect it has on other people. This is fresh in my mind because of a conversation I had with Petra a few days ago which went as follows:

P: Daddy, why doesn't Sasha like me?
Me: I'm sure she does, darling; whatever gave you that idea?
P: But she called me 'your fucking daughter'. Why did she say that about me?

I was certainly at fault in not asking you to mind your language around Petra, but I do think (and I hope you won't mind my saying so) that you were also at fault in not considering the effect of your words on one hurt and confused little girl who is now convinced that you dislike her. I feel embarrassed about mentioning this (please don't take it as a rebuke), but I thought you'd want to know.

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