For new readers and for longtime readers who don’t always read every single thing written on this site — what? I know! — it occurred to me recently that it might be helpful to have a DW glossary of terms with all the words and phrases we use a lot, either for shorthand or insider-y jokes, that people can easily and quickly reference. So, last week I posted a call in the forums for a list of words, posted below. In the comments, please feel free to add to this list and/or write a quick definition or explanation for a term(s). If you’re compelled (and have time on your hands), you can even include a link to the relevant post or thread.
I’ll use this thread and your comments to create the Official DW Glossary. Thanks for your help!
Glossary Terms (so far):
DW: Dear Wendy
MOA: Move on already
LW: Letter Writer
OP: Original Poster
TF/The Frisky
City Wendy
Enjoy Sweden
Aim Higher
Ramona (as in, “I miss Ramona.” or “What would Ramona do?”)
Copper pots
Deleted Thread
WWS and W_S
Forever Train
Spring in your hot pocket
Plus: Nicknames of prolific commenters
AP
BGM
LBH
etc.
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Fidget_Eep August 28, 2014, 3:07 pm
Bump, that one took me a little bit to figure out…
Addie Pray August 28, 2014, 4:05 pm
oh yeah, bump, that’s a good one.
what’s the copper pots one again?
TaraMonster August 28, 2014, 4:20 pm
Copper pots are a reference to going into post-breakup meltdown mode and doing unreasonable things to your ex. Like taking back the “gently used” (barf) copper pots that you gave your ex for Christmas while keeping the expensive shoes her bought you the way She Who Shall Not Be Named over at TF did when she got dumped.
mrssmith2013 August 28, 2014, 7:39 pm
I’ve been a lurker/rare commenter since T/F. I remembered the copper pot story. seeing that as a definition made me smile. She always bugged me. sometimes I think the used pots were the icing on the break-up cake on that one.
lets_be_honest August 28, 2014, 3:23 pm
Crumbs!! Don’t settle for the crumbs.
lets_be_honest August 28, 2014, 3:25 pm
Hold up! Prolific?! That’s a synonym for sexy, right?
Addie Pray August 28, 2014, 4:02 pm
it’s a synonym for “won’t shut up.” it’s ok, i’m in the same boat with you.
lets_be_honest August 28, 2014, 4:25 pm
Hmm, pretty sure it means sexy. I’m going with that.
Christy August 28, 2014, 3:54 pm
I don’t think crumbs is DW-specific, LBH. (I’m giving you side-eye.) I still totally think it should be included.
Plus like I think The Gift of Fear should have its own entry. I read it because enough people recommended it here.
lets_be_honest August 28, 2014, 3:58 pm
Damnit. The other suggestion I had wasn’t from DW either. Why am I getting side-eye, meanie?
Portia August 28, 2014, 4:38 pm
The ones I’ve been able to think of are also not DW-specific, like LTR and LDR. But they are used quite a lot and not everyone knows them?
Portia August 28, 2014, 5:03 pm
Also, non-glossary question (I don’t think I’ve ever seen it on here): do people use the term DTR (defining the relationship)? I think it’s something I picked up from my evangelical friends in college, but I never knew if it was a term other people used…
Penguingina August 28, 2014, 6:15 pm
Yep! Especially younger adults and older teenagers.
Classic August 28, 2014, 10:55 pm
I want to side-eye too.
Today August 28, 2014, 6:08 pm
How about the Toothless Groomsman? (or was it the groom?) That one’s a classic just for the perfect picture Wendy picked to accompany the column.
Addie Pray August 28, 2014, 9:26 pm
I would really like an update on that one. And the Ramona one. And on space boy’s whereabouts. Wendy, can you email these people and let them know we need updates?
MissDre August 28, 2014, 9:38 pm
Yes to spaceboy!! He used to always make me laugh out loud at work! But he’s been gone for a while… 🙁
Addie Pray August 28, 2014, 10:28 pm
like a million years about!
Dear Wendy August 28, 2014, 9:07 pm
Groomsman!
Sue Jones August 28, 2014, 9:54 pm
Enjoy Sweden? I must have missed that one!
Sue Jones August 28, 2014, 9:56 pm
And WHY don’t I have MY own commenter shorthand? Huh????
Addie Pray August 28, 2014, 10:29 pm
YOU’RE SUE MOMSJEANS JONES!!
Classic August 28, 2014, 10:57 pm
Ahem
Sue Jones August 28, 2014, 9:57 pm
Facepalm Fridays!
Classic August 28, 2014, 11:25 pm
Can we make other lists, too? Can we list our favorite beers? Here are mine:
the $2.29 Boatswain chocolate porter from Trader Joe’s
Eel River Certified Organic Raven’s Eye Imperial Stout
Stone Brewery Imperial Russian Stout
We could list our favorite red wines. Also we could list the missing commenters who need to check in.
Also, we could reminisce. Remember that time a long time ago when Lili and Will.i.am went on a virtual date? Remember back in the olden days when we played drinking games? Remember when we played Drunk Or Kid with Anna? That was fun! Remember that time that Roxy_84 and MrMid had a big fabulous wedding? That was the best! Those two should get married again!
Addie Pray August 29, 2014, 5:47 am
Aw, the memories!!
Kicia August 29, 2014, 9:48 am
I think this might be internet shorthand, but I’ve seen people use tl; dr in the forums (or something like that) and I just can’t figure out what the heck it means.
Dear Wendy August 29, 2014, 9:50 am
too long; didn’t read.
Wendys Dad August 29, 2014, 11:22 am
May I recommend a new one? “Exhaustipated”. It means “too tired to give a shit”.
haggith August 29, 2014, 5:05 pm
you know you’ve been here for a looong time when all the acronyms are not only familiar, but you use it in your daily life (and I am mostly a lurker!!!). every time i have an argument with my “hubby” (you should also include a list of DW irritating words to avoid), i tell my husband to leave my copper pots alone
haggith August 29, 2014, 5:21 pm
“bittergaymark my words!”
something random September 1, 2014, 11:56 pm
I’m surprised miles isn’t up there