Acronym junction, what's your function?

[Beskar]

I would agree with keeping swear words and these acronyms off limits. Its nice to know that I can come to the .org and not have to read garbage all the time. Think of the .org as a fine dining establishment and other forums as the world's pubs and sports bars.

I agree actually, the refreshing thing about the Org is the lack of swearing, along with the whole uniform style with the avatars. Removing those characteristics just makes the Org 'another forum'. The use of language greatly affects peoples opinions of the poster, and if all the posters experience a 'drop in standard', other users will also drop in their standard. You may get a few more members, especially those from a more immature crowd, you but you begin to lose what it is great with the Org.

Some one types: "wtf louis u milfy french frog eater", you instantly begin to characterise that poster as some one who has failed the educational system.

On the otherhand, when some one types: "I dare say, Louis VI the Fat, it appears you overexerted yourself on the mastication of fresh water amphibians." you would naturally have a higher opinion of the poster.

Rather extreme example, but the assumed quality of posting on the forum elicits similar responses. Imagine going to a upper class restaurant for a fine dining experience, you dress in a fine suit, you remember your manners, and you have an enjoyable cultured experience, this is the Org. Then there are other forums where you come across, which are akin to a ran-down pub with leaky smelling toilet, Bert at the bar is drunk, looks like he hasn't showered for 5 weeks and he scratches his nuts, it is definitely not the same experience.

[Brennus]

I have no issue with people using WTF as the only time I have seen it being employed is to express moments of disbelief as to what is occurring in a game. As a user of the EB forum I can honestly say I have never seen MILF being employed and can't imagine a scenario in the EB forum where it could be employed.

[A Nerd]

Coarse language degenerates conversation in my opinion. The subject matter seems to suffer if curse words are used for adjectives and the like. I like the rigid swearing policy, avatar use, etc. that is employed here. It would be kind of funny if people were turned away from the .org because they couldn't swear in thier posts and get rep for semi naked avatar pictures and the like. But back on the topic of bad language, I vote no. Let us continue the trend of behaving like little gentlemen and little gentlewomen when interacting with one another. I for one won't complain.

[Drunk Clown]

I have no issue with people using WTF as the only time I have seen it being employed is to express moments of disbelief as to what is occurring in a game. As a user of the EB forum I can honestly say I have never seen MILF being employed and can't imagine a scenario in the EB forum where it could be employed.

This is exactly what I wanted to say. I've never heard/read MILF on this forum, and I think it's is totally out of place to use.

WTF on the other hand, I don't mind. What's wrong with it? It's a so much used expression that it has become normal. F--- is just a word; in WTF it isn't even related to sexual intercourse. I really don't get what's the hassle about the word f--- in that particular context. If you say c--- (this is an exeption thread, amirite?) for instance I get it, cos it's always pointed toward a person. But WTF is just as Brennus said, an expression of amazement or disbelief.

I don't think the will work. Everybody knows what you want to say, so why not just say so? Is it more harmful to have it written than interpret it like that?

The problem of the women and young children who would get exposed to this use of language is out of question. First of all children till the age of 12 (I think) wouldn't come here (then you won't be playing total war as it is probably too difficult). Unless you guys who are older, and have children let them read with you at this forum (highly unlikely). And children older than 9-10 already know the word f---.

Why would women be offended by the term MILF? It's not like they are going to cry when they read it. If a woman would call someone a d---; I won't feel disrespected cos I have a d---. It's not like they're weak and take everything personal.

My opinion is that this forum could loosen up a bit.

[Lord of Lent]

I cannot agree more, Beskar. Warman recently posted a thread about elitism. There's no elitism here, but the Org. is most elite of all TW forums or any other forums that deal with the stuff we discuss here.
That's because of discussions that actually make sense, but also because people here use clean and civilised speech instead of WTF or MILF.

We do not want to lose our high standards, do we?

So, NO to all of them. Keep it clean, keep it nice.

[Maeran]

I suppose you could see MILF in an AAR. But the mind boggles.

If you don't allow the F word, then you shouldn't allow a hidden version of it. If there is room for bending that rule because of context, then it isn't a proper rule.

You might show leniency in applying the rule, but "no use of swear words except when not directed at any one individual, but rather at the poster's own inability to find an alternative phrase" really muddies the water for when you have to apply that rule.

Oh, and if you use the daisy smiley, then not everyone knows what you meant to say. In particular, small children don't know. So it does work better than simply saying it.

[Drunk Clown]

Oh, and if you use the daisy smiley, then not everyone knows what you meant to say. In particular, small children don't know. So it does work better than simply saying it.

And how exactly do small children (I assume childrens less than 12 years) come to this forum? Would they read the civilised speech we use here? No an average small child wouldn't read the more sophisticated posts on this forum, it's beyond his limits.

[frogbeastegg]

On the matter of children and the org, there's two points:

How many here have younger children? How many of those people want their child to come visit when they're on the computer? Lots, I bet. Children show up frequently and often where you don't want them to; it's a defining feature. Most children begin to read at 5 years old.

Our youngest member was lisabeanie. She was 10 years old when she signed up an account to ask for help beating her Dad at TW. Naturally Dad was a member here too. She was quite active here for a time. There have been others a little older; it's rare but does happen.

Why would women be offended by the term MILF?

Better to ask, why wouldn't we?

It reduces a person into an object intended for another's gratification. The f-word has nothing but negative tones in a sexual context, especially when applied to women as it ties into that whole 'easy/slut/whore' thing and the whole 'I don't need to bother about them so long as I get my rocks off' thing.

Not comparable at all with calling someone a dick; that term is so mild it's practically a joke. There is no direct male comparison; culturally and historically men just do not have the same overtones applied to them in a sexual context. The double standard is alive and well.

I won't cry. I will think that whoever used it is a contemptible, crude idiot. Just as I think anyone who wants a f*** should go find themselves a blow up doll (or vibrator, if female) because that's the best they deserve for aiming so low. Huh, at least aim high enough to want sex. At least that has some ambition and mutuality to it, even if it's still a long away from making love. All the different labels exist for a reason; they all have different connotations.

[Louis VI the Fat]

I will think that whoever used [milf] is a contemptible, crude idiot.

Well said. I couldn't agree more.

I say posters who describe women as 'milfy' are immature sex-starved attention seekers. In fact, I think it is perfectly obvious they aren't getting any and plEASE GOD ANYONE IF YOU'RE READING THIS I NEED A GIRLFRIEND I NEED ONE RIGHT NOW ANY WILL DO I CANT TAKE IT ANYMORE

[Togakure]

TBH, I'd never heard of the acronym MIFL or the 'term' milfy until I read this thread. Knowing now what the acronym stands for, I'm surprised that anyone here would advocate/need to inquire about it's open use on this forum. Must be a Backroom thing?

Moderators at their discretion can always overlook expressions when the context is judged (by them) to be acceptable. I don't think a policy change is justified, but that's just me.

[Lemur]

It reduces a person into an object intended for another's gratification.

Here we wander into the whole "objectification" realm of rhetoric, which I have always found to be a misleading cul-de-sac of thought. People do objectify one another, pretty much on an hourly basis. Or did you look at your garbage collector this morning and think to yourself, "There's a three-dimensional human being with his own needs and thoughts, and I'm not going to move from this spot until I gain a greater understanding of him"? Pshaw. Objectification is neither negative nor positive. It just is. If we tried to grok every human being we saw or heard during the day we'd be unable to get anything done, hence the brain's reflexive protective maneuver; treat some people like objects. They are outside the monkeysphere. Attempting to police our language to prevent objectification strikes me as exactly as productive as calling money "coconuts" to prevent greed.

The f-word has nothing but negative tones in a sexual context

"Subjective" doesn't begin to do this assertion justice. If the f-bomb had nothing but negative connotations, surely we would not have needed to coin the word "rape."

[Beskar]

"Subjective" doesn't begin to do this assertion justice. If the f-bomb had nothing but negative connotations, surely we would not have needed to coin the word "rape."

Doesn't really work, since they are different but related things. Even then, if it was the same thing, there are like 10 very negative terms for the female body part in one episode of inbetweeners.

[frogbeastegg]

Or did you look at your garbage collector this morning and think to yourself, "There's a three-dimensional human being with his own needs and thoughts, and I'm not going to move from this spot until I gain a greater understanding of him"?

No. I saw a human. Nothing more, nothing less. Same as I see when I look at anyone. And yes, I try to gain understanding of people, good and bad.

I'm not going to respond to the objectification thing. Suffice it to say I disagree completely, entirely, and fully. Also, the important part is the last part: intended for another's gratification.

"Subjective" doesn't begin to do this assertion justice. If the f-bomb had nothing but negative connotations, surely we would not have needed to coin the word "rape."

Two entirely different words for two entirely different things, both of them bad but one many times worse than the other.

[Louis VI the Fat]

a ran-down pub with leaky smelling toilet, Bert at the bar is drunk, looks like he hasn't showered for 5 weeks and he scratches his nuts

That's so funny when I went to visit him this was EXACTLY what Andres was like