Imho - Fwiw

I think that the OP's point concerned exactly what meaning is conveyed either by the full phrase or by the abbreviation. Sir Terry Pratchett had no doubt, and I rather side with him. See page 146 of The Truth (a novel about newspaper publishing on the Discworld): "And something that distinguishes the Mr. Windlings of this world is the term 'in my humble opinion', which they think adds weight to their statements rather than indicating, in reality, 'these are the mean little views of someone with the social graces of duckweed'."


Cheers,

R.

What is interesting to me is that these clues left as to your actual intent are mostly limited to written communication as an attempt perhaps to make up for the fact that the person cannot hear the inflections from speech.

"Mr. Windlings" intent is rather something else.

If you are having a casual conversation, it should be more clear when you are stating opinion rather than fact, well if the two people know each other.

When you post something, you do not know your entire audience, present or future.

If you are trying to be precise, say, you are writing a paper for publication or presentation, you may add expressions such as, "That is not to say", "This is the case", as an attempt to eliminate any conclusion you do not intend, or to perhaps reach the word limit imposed by an instructor.

Of course, much is added to lighten the tone of what is posted, I find ;-) useful if not overused, Roger, I believe, does not, that is not to say he would take offence at someone else using them, IMHO, ;-).

If you try to be too precise, the style becomes rather heavy, for example in the first sentence, the "to me" is not entirely necessary.

Also, IMO, if you write a post more than a few lines long, few get to the bottom, or perhaps beyond the first sentence. ;-)

And, LOL, when I was young, meant, "Lots of Luck", normally, and mildly, sarcastic. I think today people would say "Good luck with that".

At least we are spared, "SWAK" on the internet.

Regards, John
 
Last edited:
At least we are spared, "SWAK" on the internet.

Regards, John

Dear John,

SWALK, surely? ('loving')

I always liked the old abbreviations traditionally sent by young sailors to their wives and girlfriends as their ships were about to return to the home port: NORWICH -- (k)Nickers Off Ready When I Come Home -- and BURMA -- Be Undressed Ready My Angel.

Cheers,

R.
 
Dear John,

SWALK, surely? ('loving')

I always liked the old abbreviations traditionally sent by young sailors to their wives and girlfriends as their ships were about to return to the home port: NORWICH -- (k)Nickers Off Ready When I Come Home -- and BURMA -- Be Undressed Ready My Angel.

Cheers,

R.

Someone in Cleethorpes told me that a box of OMO in the window was not an advert for soap. ;-)

Regards, John
 
Last edited:
Dear John,

SWALK, surely? ('loving')

I always liked the old abbreviations traditionally sent by young sailors to their wives and girlfriends as their ships were about to return to the home port: NORWICH -- (k)Nickers Off Ready When I Come Home -- and BURMA -- Be Undressed Ready My Angel.

Cheers,

R.

How romantic :)
 
I kind of like YMMV.

:D

I feel that for the way that YMMV is used, it should most often be YMMD: "Your Mileage May Differ." Your mileage may vary, in some given instances, from your own average. That's when making a comparison within your own set of data. OTOH, when comparing your mileage with mine, yours may Differ from mine.

IMO, FWIW
 
^ How about a "meh" smiley? ;)

Smiley---Meh--for-picks--fanpop-38170_75_75.jpg

whatever that is, apathy I expect, but who cares anyway :enigmatic:
 
Back
Top Bottom