Question

Hello. Do you find seeing the acronym "lmao" offensive/creepy in our chat boxes ?
If yes, would you like to have a filter for it ?

Answer 1

In my opinion I do not find it offensive or creepy at all. Although I hate 80% of acronyms in general I do believe that reducing the amount of verbal freedom the, mostly American spoiled brats, have would unfortunately drive away many of the modern day students who come seeing that it's become a 50/50 Academic social site. Simply my opinion on the matter that is. Pretty sure the phrase "No." would have done the same thing as this long paragraph.

Answer 2

I asked the same question at one point. the response I got
"Acronyms: Preetha will support any moderators that suspend people over an acronym. It is mostly about intent. Also, using F in the sense of the F-Word is covered as avoiding the language filter." ~e.moccormick

And personally I don't really care however if a user keeps using the phrase over and over then it becomes a problem. Many mods turn to the urban dictionary (although it is not a reliable source or a citable source) to decipher the language of modern day teens. I don't find it offensive or creepy however I do think it breaks the rules of "not cursing" it still counts as evading the filter.

Answer 3

I do not find it offensive, nor do most people, because welcome to the Internet! Glad you could make it.

I mean, I agree with Undead. And I think that we should be able to say, considering the fact that it may mean it in a sense, but I'm not actually stating any actual profanity, just pretty much putting the initial for it there.

Answer 4

we should be able to say whatever, going along with the CoC and TnC.

Answer 5

Thank you @undeadknight26 @pooja195 @jamarshall2911
I wont be expressing my views in this thread as I want to have an unbiased survey :)

Answer 6

Appreciate your concern on the matter and letting the public have a say instead of implementing it. :)

Answer 7

I would just say it's best to avoid such acronyms/words and use language that is appropriate. We have parents/students/teachers using this site. It would make this site an "unsafe" place in the minds of parents and teachers. Users should be able to get on this site without seeing foul language in any way shape or form. This is a study site not a site meant for cursing there are other social media sites that can be used for such purposes. Not this one.

Answer 8

Well, let's break it down:
L- Laugh
M- My
A- retrice
O- Off

Would a school teacher allow you to say "retrice in class? Probably not.
The acronym is just the same as saying the actual word, in my opinion.

Personally speaking, language doesn't offend me. However, this is an educational website, therefore, I believe we should keep the language rules the same as schools would. "retrice isn't acceptable in schools and shouldn't be acceptable here.

That's my opinion.

Answer 9

Oh, look, filters.
If it's normally filtered, it shouldn't be allowed.

Answer 10

Okay, I won't use it again, I'm sorry.

Answer 11

Honestly, I don't mind seeing it. It's not offensive, nor is it creepy. It's just how people talk these days, and no matter how much of modding the site you do, there will always be people using "LMAO" or "WTF" just because this generation doesn't know/refuses to talk with proper English. So, you'd have to suspend/warn/ban many, many users in order to enforce this.

Answer 12

^I don't mind doing that. I'd like this site to have a good rep and have it be unique compared to other study sites.

Answer 13

Another thing, it's not intended to avoid the already instated rules, it just comes out as easily as "Lol" does to people.
And define good reputation Pooja. People will refuse to use the site if there are too many regulations, giving it a bad rep.

Answer 14

the people who refuse to use the site are the mostly the ones that sit around in the chat (for the rule not being able to curse whatsoever)
good rep=site a parent/teacher would want their kid/student to use.

Answer 15

I would say something. But no point.

Answer 16

Hey @jamarshall2911 , relax my friend. This is not about you !
This is a survey to know how our active users think !

Thank you @Jadeishere @Whitemonsterbunny17 :)

Answer 17

Swearing doesn't really bring anything good to an educational website. How does it benefit?
We have 13 year olds here. Should they be talking like that? Would you be saying these things in front of your teacher, mother, or grandmother?

Answer 18

Okay, yes, we want parents to be okay with it, but students at this point are the most important. You can ask students if their parents know that they use this site, or if their teachers know, and most of them don't.

Personally, I know professors who use inappropriate language, and both of my parents use acronyms. I'm not arguing, but I genuinely believe that if you were to ban any and all ways of swearing, people would more ways to do so. More acronyms will be made just to avoid getting caught.

Answer 19

*find more ways to do so

Answer 20

Not all parents and professors approve of such language.
I don't see why you'd use these acronyms irl? Wouldn't you just say full phrases?

Answer 21

Hmm I don't mean to intrude although I think this went from ONE acronym to the CLASS of acronyms. Shall we get it back on topic?

Answer 22

And I find hits on a debate which I think we should hold off on.

Answer 23

Very interesting points! Nice to see many constructive ideas !

Answer 24

Pooja, you just used an acronym.

Answer 25

I agree with @ganeshie8 I would like Lmao and Lmfao to have filters in that way not many users will get warned/suspended for it. The reason why I picked these two because it is not intended to offend anyone but it is not an appropriate acronym. Other acronyms such as GTFO and STFU are usually used as an offensive acronym to offend certain people. There's no point to filter them because once it is seen by a mod we know that whoever used it is being offensive so we should definitely give them a warning and if it's repeated then a suspension should be done.

Answer 26

But, since it's not the topic, and we're talking about "Lmao"...

Answer 27

If you went on google and seared "irl" you'd find that it means "in real life" and not some curse words.

Answer 28

If you filter "lmao" pooja has no job.

Answer 29

I realize that, but why not say the full phrase?

Answer 30

OMG SWEET WITH THE BEST COMMENT TONIGHT XD

Answer 31

I'VE SAVED THAT.

Answer 32

My two cents:

I doubt the acronym in question will get filtered. One of the many reasons is because "wt*" isn't filtered yet and it isn't allowed to be said either.

Next, the acroynm in question doesn't need to be said. You can simply use "lol" or "haha" to convey the same expression of laughter. Even "rofl" is allowed to be said and is much cleaner. "lm*o" has the a which gets filtered if you use it just by itself.

Summary: It doesn't need to be said. :P

Answer 33

I don't mind acronyms that don't involve filtered words.
And @Jadeishere this is the internet. Not real life. My comment was directed torwards
"Okay, yes, we want parents to be okay with it, but students at this point are the most important. You can ask students if their parents know that they use this site, or if their teachers know, and most of them don't.

Personally, I know professors who use inappropriate language, and both of my parents use acronyms. I'm not arguing, but I genuinely believe that if you were to ban any and all ways of swearing, people would more ways to do so. More acronyms will be made just to avoid getting caught. "

Answer 34

How do you spend your days Pooja?

Answer 35

"Personally, I know professors who use inappropriate language, and both of my parents use acronyms."
We are talking about "lmao"

Answer 36

This does pertain to this topic.
And yes, my professor Barnes uses "LMAO, ROFL, WTF" and many more

Answer 37

I'll be blunt with you. You take away the acronyms you'll lose 50% of your users. Simple as that.

Answer 38

Exactly.

Answer 39

Just filter the a to b, so you get lmbo when you type lmao, or switch wtf to I Love OpenStudy

Answer 40

Unfortunately cursing and swearing are used int he real world environment. They'll have to be exposed to it sooner or later.

Answer 41

You still have the acronym, but the clean version of it

Answer 42

You may fight about it as much as you want those are the bottom lines.

Answer 43

Exactly.

Answer 44

OS is unfortunately already going down a decline would you like to put that to a straight drop?

Answer 45

Y'all can keep using those acronyms if you want. Don't complain when get banned/warned for it. Whichever mod that decides to punish you will have a valid reason for the actions taken.

Answer 46

I wouldn't say stopped, but the amount of the inappropriate words we filtered used has declined by the help of filters.

Answer 47

Thank you @Zale101 @sammixboo @TheSmartOne

@sweetburger laughing out loud ;)

Answer 48

Won't complain at all will just simply go to another site. As I said OS is already going down a steep decline. Going and creating more regulation will do exactly the opposite you'd want to do right now.

Answer 49

lmao (lmfao) -> lmbo
wtf -> I Love OpenStudy
ffs -> I Love OpenStudy

That would be hilarious, but the lmao to lmbo is reasonable, and would cause the least amount of chaos

Answer 50

Not really. It's summer vacation hence why there are less people on.

Answer 51

"A house divided cannot stand."
Taking this to a higher point of view, you have too powerful of a central government.

Answer 52

I might keep saying that although, since I've been here for 3 going on to 4 years now I can tell you this site won't last another year.

Answer 53

We'll see about that next year around this time.

Answer 54

@ganeshie8 Sorry for completely blowing up your post
@pooja195 your life has become the internet, so "irl" has no validity.
@Zale101 If you honestly believe that the amount of inappropriate words has decreased, you need to be in the chats more.

Answer 55

^ Agreed. Also if you care so much about the students let them be exposed to the crappy world they live in. Should totally sensor crap by the way.

Answer 56

Oh don't mind me just saving a few things before I get banned for voicing my opinions.

Answer 57

Curse all you want in dm's no one will stop you, all i'm saying is acronyms involving any sort of cursing shouldn't be allowed in the chat. And this is just my opinion i'm sure we all have different opinions on this topic. @Jadeishere calm down :) No need to get worked up for such a small topic. Remember that this is only a discussion.

Answer 58

I thought cursing, period, was not allowed. So are you saying I can curse in my private messages all I want and not get in trouble?

Answer 59

Marsh no. Bad boy.

Answer 60

@undeadknight26 Calm down, no need to be rude about it, most mods are pretty calm and "chill" so don't over-generalize

Back to the topic at hand, "LMAO"

While I understand your guys' worry and fret about the use of acronyms containing swear words, I disagree on the claim that they're ways around the filters. They use them because they come naturally, and if you're going to try to change a persons nature, then no one will want to use the site.

I am perfectly calm @pooja195 I'm more worried about people hating the mods on OS because of the filters already in use

Answer 61

Unless it got reported.
@Jadeishere I think learning different ways to cope with the need to curse is possible as @sammixboo has shown.

Answer 62

You can use it in dm's as long as it doesn't get reported.

Answer 63

And I guess you're right there are bigger issues than users using acronyms. I guess it's just frowned upon. But a mod would not get de-modded for taking actions against such offences.

Answer 64

Sorry I find it hard to tell whether I'm rude or not online. Completely apologize to those whom I've offended in any way. And agreed many mods are very chill.

Answer 65

@Jadeishere Nowaday,s lmao comes naturally just as saying the f word. We filtered the f word and i don't see a difference on filtering lmao as well.

Answer 66

I am in no way saying a mod will get de-modded, I'm saying that the users will no longer want a mods help because they'll be scared they'll get in trouble for any little mistake they make. I know because I definitely use to be that way

Answer 67

^Maybe I can loosen up a bit :)

Answer 68

Whether it's used as a way around the filter or not, it's still not appropriate, as if the whole thing were typed out, one word would still be filtered, therefore meaning it is inappropriate.
I always have and will continue to Warn and Suspend for such offenses, as I feel that it is not appropriate language to be using on an educational website.

Answer 69

May I make a proposition?

Answer 70

That applies to mods and users?

Answer 71

All ears from me.

Answer 72

Go ahead.

Answer 73

Maybe on a different post though

Answer 74

I'm on @Jadeishere and @undeadknight26 side, I believe using acronyms as an expression and not to cuss other users is alright. Most students are used to this type of language but there are a handful of other students and teachers who find it inappropriate or unacceptable, that is why @sammixboo idea, a filter for acronyms can be a good one.

Answer 75

^or @Jadeishere 's idea

Answer 76

http://openstudy.com/study#/updates/579d9635e4b0453b6e913c57

Answer 77

i use "lmao" alot, its just like "lol" for me i don't really think about the actual acronym much its kind of just like a word we use for expressing that something is funny these days

Answer 78

Thank you @.Sam. and @ILovePuppiesLol

@ILovePuppiesLol - Are you feeling lucky that you have the suffix "Lol" in your username, and not "lmao" ? ;)

Answer 79

I am feeling extremely fortunate that I chose to end my username with Lol @ganeshie8 :)

Answer 80

tbch, I feel when you make it a acronym, it just seems to lose any offensiveness, so long as it doesnt have "f" in it, I.E. wtf, lmfao.

you can frequently see me saying "lmao" despite the fact that I don't curse, but when i say this, for whatever reason, I don't feel i am truly cursing. Call me weird if you feel lol.

Answer 81

I am not ok with any form of foul language. If you insinuate it, you may as well be saying it.

Answer 82

Thank you @Jaynator495 and @AmTran_Bus :)

Answer 83

There's no filter needed for acronyms.

Answer 84

^

Answer 85

Well for SOME acronyms actually... there are SOME that refer to things that is inappropriate all together ._.

Answer 86

No, I do not find it offensive.

Answer 87

I find profanity to be a sign of weakness, depravity, and ignorance. When I see someone use such language, especially in a lazy acronym, I am not offended, I pity them.

Answer 88

The real crime is saying acronyms in a normal conversation... You will not believe how many times I've told a joke just to hear the letters, "l.o.l."

Answer 89

it just means that the joke is really funny. It's a step up from "lol".

Answer 90

Why don't y'all just filter every word that may be taken negatively?

Answer 91

2 years ago, the question was asked to a group of moderators and users, and a majority of them responded that each case should be looked at an individual basis. Mhmm

Answer 92

@Ashleyisakitty @Scooby6363 @ShadowLegendX @rebeccaxhawaii @CallMeKiki @TheSmartOne Thank you for sharing your thoughts :) Really interesting how each one of us think differently about this topic!

Answer 93

No problem :)

Answer 94

Wait is this a serious question?