Doesn't Really Matter but can you Explain???

[sail7seas]

I know it really doesn't matter but it is something I notice again and again and wonder about.

Why do some pax who are referring to a 'dam' ship, consistently call it other than what the owners named it?

The Westerdam....the Westy? What is wrong with calling the ship the name it bears?

The Zuiderdam.....Zuidy?

I don't get it!!! Are we so casual in our world today that we can't even use the required number of syllables to pronounce/call something/someone by their given names?

[Cruising Jake]

I cannot suggest an explanation. But I can suggest a maybe: perhaps some people think that is cool and makes them appear that they are "in the know". That only those in the great "unwashed masses" call the ships by their full name.

As an aside - I think people today don't speak the English language very properly anyway. How many say "me and Joe" or don't pronounce "ing" at the end of words. (Can you tell that I had nuns teaching me throughout grammar school and high school, and Jesuits in college?)

[rocks]

You're kidding.....right????
rocks

[sail7seas]

No, Rocks. I am not kidding. I asked a question. Can you explain why, for some people, it is too much trouble to refer to the ship by the proper name? Is it more cool or what?

For the longest time, after Zuiderdam came out, there were some 'really cool folks' who kept asking questions about the "Z". It took months for them to figure out there were two HAL ships whose names begin with a "Z". That, as I remember it, is when Zuiderdam started to be called Zuidy. What is wrong with the name Zuiderdam?

[tomc]

I understand what you mean. For the same reason, and for the life of me, I never understand why people can't use their real names (or abbreviations thereof) on the boards.

[rocks]

An example...the name Judith...Judy....Robert...Bob ect. I call my DH 'Hon' but that's not his 'formal' name. The things we feel close to, talk about a lot, enjoy (or NOT enjoy) we give little nicknames.
It's really not a new concept....
rocks
PS: To be PERFECTLY PROPER you should use the MS in front of those Dam ships!

[dakrewser]

Um, Sail? Oosterdam is 9 letters. O'dam is 5 characters (4 letters) much easier to type (and I always seem to leave out one of the o's anyway). "Zuidy" is cute, but I prefer Zui.

What it is, though, is a nickname. It's why we call the cruise line HAL rather than spell out "Holland-America Line" - not only is it easier to type, but it sounds "friendlier", more like a neighbor than a corporation.

Now my hackles do rise when people refer to the cruise line as "Holland," after all that's a country!:rolleyes:

[K&RCurt]

S7S:

I was just looking at some other posts and thought the same thing. I think people are just too "casual" these days. (Hence all the posts regarding shorts / jeans in the Dining Room). It's just too much trouble to use the ship's correct name.

Rocks: The TRUE proper way to refer to the ships is, for example
ms Westerdam. The ms (for motor ship) is in small not capital letters.

[dakrewser]

Rocks: The TRUE proper way to refer to the ships is, for example ms Westerdam. The ms (for motor ship) is in small not capital letters.

Well, some times. Other times it's MS Westerdam, M/S Westerdam, m/s Westerdam - or substitute a "v" (or"V") for the "s" (or "S") for vessel. :)

But ships have had nicknames for longer than any of us have been around - remember the U.S.S. Constitution, a.k.a. "Old Ironsides"? So nicknames for ships can't be seen as any evidence of a modern descent into casualness. Although I will agree that people have become way too casual.

[Himself]

Tomc:

Some of us like our special Screen names on the boards. For instance the name HIMSELF says alot about me being very, very Irish.

As for the Question: A lot of us like nicknames though I call the ships by the Name HAL gives them. The "Dam" ships you get from some of the crew and it refers to the fact that all Holland America Ships end in DAM. The shops on board now sell caps that are named "Dam Ships"

[michmike]

you see this same thing going on with sports teams.. Green Bay Packers referred to the "Pack" New England Patriots as the "Pats" Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the "Bucs" ..... but no similar abbreviation for the Tennessee Titans?

*pondering*

[tomc]

Himself...

I was just busting s7s. I don't give a handful of monkey poop how people refer to the ships or what their board names are.

[Bill S]

On our forthcoming cruise I hope I get to be MISTER Oosterdam! :) "Mr" just won't cut it anymore! :(


sail7: I understand where you are coming from, but like tomc, it usually doesn't bother me except when an abbreviation causes confusion about which ship the poster is actually referring, for example, "Z" could mean Zaandam or Zuiderdam; "R" - Rotterdam or Ryndam. Maybe HAL should not name two or more ships with the same first letter!! ;)

[jhannah]

While I understand the OP's (oops ... there I go with an abbreviation) querry, I am not bothered by nicknames nearly so much as I am with the mixing of "your" and "you're", "their" and "there", "I" and "me", etc. Definitely not a product of proper Jesuit education! :D But that's just me, I guess.

[kgjg]

Why do some pax....


A hum. Not to put too fine a point on it.

[Ziggy7]

Well I can't speak for others but for my it is pet names for things I like and/or sheer laziness to not type it all out ;)

[tomc]

I abbreviate poster's names, too, but not for the same reason as Zig. Just familiarity.

[Ziggy7]

I abbreviate poster's names, too, but not for the same reason as Zig. Just familiarity.aaaawwww tomc I thought you call me that cause we were friends :( hehehe :D

[Sierrachik]

I would say it is a couple of reasons:

1) a term of endearment as indicated in a previous post, many people on the boards refer to posters by a portion of their user name, ie Sierra, Sail, Heather, Ziggy, etc.

2) ease of typing

[Krazy Kruizers]

I have also noticed that quite a few people on all the boards do shorten the names of the various ships.

I don't - but that is just me.

Yes, the full name of the ship does mean more characters to type, but so what?

[the2ofus]

My favorite misuse is dinning room. I have never found it to be THAT noisy in there. Oh yes, and then there are the stewarts who serve in the dinning room and keep our rooms neat.

[the2ofus]

Oh boy, S7S, you're going to love this! There's a poster on another thread who is sailing on the Westy and wonders whether the compy is worth it. Had to open the thread to find out what a 'compy' is. Can you guess?

[TedC]

Um, Sail? Oosterdam is 9 letters. O'dam is 5 characters (4 letters) much easier to type (and I always seem to leave out one of the o's anyway). "Zuidy" is cute, but I prefer Zui.

What it is, though, is a nickname. It's why we call the cruise line HAL rather than spell out "Holland-America Line" - not only is it easier to type, but it sounds "friendlier", more like a neighbor than a corporation.

Now my hackles do rise when people refer to the cruise line as "Holland," after all that's a country!:rolleyes:

Dave,
Actually, "Holland" is a nickname for a country - The Kingdom of the Netherlands, or just Netherlands. The nickname Holland comes from the two largest provinces - Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland. Dam!

[Cuttle]

Abbreviations bother me too. Some on these Boards took me a while to figure out what was meant - DH, DW, DD, DS, YO. After I figured them out I found myself guilty of using them myself but, as a fairly quick typist I find I can type the whole word as quickly as capitalizing, for example, D and H. Abbreviations are OK (okay) providing anyone reading the message understands. New subscribers or people new to computers, boards, etc. (etcetera!!!!) don't necessarily know. I prefer to type out "Dam" ships name in full.

Spelling mistakes bother me too....but we are not all Phd's (another abbreviation that is now perfectly understood by all!!!!) in English Grammar. Often I write something and then find a typo after it is posted or "sent" and that really bothers me. I certainly don't run spellcheck for every little e-mail post and that is not 100% accurate either, as we all know.

It is quite amazing just how often we do use abbreviations without thinking - in this message I could have or did use: etc., Phd, OK. These are now part of the English language. Will DH, DW, DD or Ds become common words in the future, or are they already in this computer/digital age? It is a changing world!

ROTFLOL - that one took me a while to figure out too. ;)

[jhannah]

... but no similar abbreviation for the Tennessee Titans? Somehow I don't think "The Tits" would go over too well.

Often I write something and then find a typo after it is posted or "sent" and that really bothers me. You can click on the edit button and take care of it. I do it all the time.

[tomc]

Hay, "2" -

Oh yes, and then there are the stewarts who serve in the dinning room and keep our rooms neat.

Just for your info, from a seasoned cruiser, the dinning room stewarts are NOT the same stewarts who keep our cabbins (not rooms) neat. So there.

[CDRMark]

In the Navy, ship nicknames were usually longer than their given names, due to all the adjectives (and adverbs, and in at least one case, an algebraic formula...).
Cheers
MarkB

[tomc]

...and while I'm here, the Jon Stewarts make a daily show of doing the bath.

(That may need explaining to those who don't watch the Comedy Channel at 11p/E.)

[mechcc]

Thought I'd add my 2 cents worth. I am dislexic (spell) and can't spell therefore I use accronems/abrevations so I don't have to worry about how to spell. Of course typing in Word or someother system I give the spell checker a work out.
:o

I also agree with others about using the abreveations giving a fealing of familuarity.

hcc

[sail7seas]

Thank you, everyone, for your views on the question.

[Iggipolka]

Some of us like our special Screen names on the boards. For instance the name HIMSELF says alot about me being very, very Irish.


I was actually wondering about the orgination of your screen name. Would you mind explaining a bit more? Thanks!

[Oceanwench]

It's technology that has spawned all these abbreviations and nicknames people use.
Think about what we use on this board: pax, IMHO, DH, LOL, ROTFLOL.
They're time savers.
It's much easier for me to type LOL than to type "laugh out loud."
Not only is it a time saver: it's a code. Cetainly LOL tacked on to the end of a post does not give the same feeling as writing out the words.
It took me some time to figure out DH and other "shortcuts" used on the CC board.
Oh, did I say CC? LOL

The ships have long names too, and I would much rather type Zui than Zuiderdam. In speaking, however, I always refer to her as the Zuiderdam.

I see no difference in referring to our fellow posters as CCers, or our favorite ships by a nickname.

As far as people's grammatical/spelling skills, or lack thereof, I believe that is addressed in one of the "rules of the board" posting.
We are asked to be tolerant.

I spend a lot of my work week editing copy. A lot of errors jump out at me here [except for my own, of course!] but they don't bother me.

What does bother me, however, is the tone of a few of the posters. A lot is revealed in the way people write. Some are clever, witty, etc. Others are very warm and friendly. And still others are harsh and critical.

I don't care if people use nicknames or abbreviations, but I do not enjoy reading posts that are mean-spirited. :(

[gizmo]

I see nothing wrong with using nicknames or shortening the ship names.
Even those in Navy did it. The Saratoga was often referred to as "Sara".

[sail7seas]

The ships have long names too, and I would much rather type Zui than Zuiderdam. In speaking, however, I always refer to her as the Zuiderdam.


There is the difference. When writing, it is one thing to type Zui as an ABBREVIATION......

In my opinion, it is entirely different to type "Zuidy". Maybe I am the only one who sees a distinction and would bother to comment about it. Oh well......I always have had my own mind and don't mind expressing my thoughts. :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

[b]There is the difference. When writing, it is one thing to type Zui as an ABBREVIATION......

In my opinion, it is entirely different to type "Zuidy". Maybe I am the only one who sees a distinction and would bother to comment about it. Oh well......I always have had my own mind and don't mind expressing my thoughts. :)



Here's a shock for everyone: I agree with you 100%:D ... as if that every happens. I see no harm in abbreviating these long ship names when typing them here. But in speaking I would never even say "Zui", let alone"Zuidy". It seems we shorten everything to save time and end up wasting many beautiful names and words.

But I'm one of those very old school, probably frowned upon, people who feels we have mutiliated the English language and, in fact, often don't even use most of it;) .

But that is really a great conversation for another day, don't you think? ... perhaps in the Ocean Bar over a drink, Sail? (Oops! ... just realized I always call you Sail for short ... yikes!!!:o )

[dakrewser]

Yes, the full name of the ship does mean more characters to type, but so what?

For those of us with FFT (Fat Fingered TYpist) syndrome, the fewer letters to type means fewer typos to correct! The two most frequently used keys on my keyboard are [Backspace] and [left arrow]. :)

TedC: And aren't we glad it isn't called the Netherlands-America Line? (or Royal Dutch-America Line, for that matter) :rolleyes:

TomC: for a long time I wondered who Doctor Stewart was who kept taking people's orders in the dining room (NOT!):eek:

[Vic The Parrot]

Ya'll can just call me VTP.......

[Oceanwench]

For those who get their shorts in a twist over grammar and spelling errors:

It is important to remember that everyone makes mistakes at one time or another, and that there are many users who use English as a second language, especially on our Cruise Boards. There are also a number of people who suffer from learning disabilities and who have difficulty noticing their spelling mistakes. Do not make comments on the spelling and grammar of other users. It is simply not a productive expenditure of energies.

[Esme]

I have a different question. I have noticed that a number of posters type "alot", for "a lot". Is this an American thing, because as far as I can see Canadians do not type "alot"? :confused:

I looked up "alot" in Webster's Dictionary and they said there is not such word. I see Ocean Wench does not use this term, but uses "a lot", so I am confused.

[Oceanwench]

It seems we shorten everything to save time and end up wasting many beautiful names and words.

But I'm one of those very old school, probably frowned upon, people who feels we have mutiliated the English language and, in fact, often don't even use most of it;) .


What about the use of contractions? You have used "I'm" instead of I am.
And "don't" instead of do not!!!

What about the two-letter postal abbreviations for states? FL instead of Florida ... MA instead of Massachusetts.

What about acronyms -- MADD, SCUBA, FIND [Florida Inland Navigational District ... sorry, I had to throw that one in there]???

Sometimes shortening words is just the evolution of language.
Sometimes it is because of convenience.
And sometimes it is a term of endearment -- a nickname.
So if someone wants to call the Zuiderdam "Zuidy," why should anyone get upset?

I will end here, get in my Bavarian Motor Works automobile, drive down Interstate 95, stop at the automated teller machine, stop for gasoline at the British Petroleum station, then go home.


:) "If we couldn't laugh, we'd all go insane." --> Jimmy Buffett

[Bill S]

Geez, where is Cliff Claven when you really, really need him?

[Oceanwench]

I have a different question. I have noticed that a number of posters type "alot", for "a lot". Is this an American thing, because as far as I can see Canadians do not type "alot"? :confused:

I looked up "alot" in Webster's Dictionary and they said there is not such word. I see Ocean Wench does not use this term, but uses "a lot", so I am confused.

There is no such word as "alot." It's "a lot."
Some do the same thing with "alright" -- it is two words, "all right."

But we are instructed to overlook others' grammatical and spelling errors on this board ... so let us do that.
;)

[HeatherInFlorida]

What about the use of contractions? You have used "I'm" instead of I am.
And "don't" instead of do not!!!

What about the two-letter postal abbreviations for states? FL instead of Florida ... MA instead of Massachusetts.

What about acronyms -- MADD, SCUBA, FIND [Florida Inland Navigational District ... sorry, I had to throw that one in there]???

Sometimes shortening words is just the evolution of language.
Sometimes it is because of convenience.
And sometimes it is a term of endearment -- a nickname.
So if someone wants to call the Zuiderdam "Zuidy," why should anyone get upset?

I will end here, get in my Bavarian Motor Works automobile, drive down Interstate 95, stop at the automated teller machine, stop for gasoline at the British Petroleum station, then go home.


:) "If we couldn't laugh, we'd all go insane." --> Jimmy Buffett

First ... no one got "upset". A question was asked out of idle curiousity ... nothing more.

Oceanwench, I was basically done with this subject, but your post has me scratching my head in complete confusion!

No one was talking but contractions ... an accepted form of language. And we're not talking about nicknames either. Zuidy and Westy are not common nicknames for these ships. They are used here, but I have never seen them anywhere else.

As to FL and CT, these are unfortunately the abbreviations the Postal Service forced us to use ... I would certainly not choose to. Notice my CC name.

Understand I have absolutely no problem with any of it, couldn't care less if people want to use silly shortened names for ships.

But there is no analogy here between what the OP posted and contractions or nicknames.

Or were you being funny and I missed it?;)

[Vic The Parrot]

'splain




:)

[Adk~Cruiser]

A lot of times on boards I'll see items abbreviated to codes that are used elsewhere online - like Ft. Lauderdale becomes FLL because that's the airport code. On the Disney boards - Port Orleans Riverside becomes POR because that's the 'booking code'. Then, from there it's not a stretch to think Holland America Line - HAL... Zuiderdam - Zui...

IMHO, as long as I can somewhat make out what people are trying to express, I'm happy. ;)

[DrivesLikeMario]

Why? For the same reason you use contractions (i.e. - don't, can't, etc.). It's easier!

[Oceanwench]

Heather,

Well, in the spirit of speaking one's mind, I felt there was a certain judgment made about those who shorten the names of ships -- or other names/phrases.

If I were to write, "IMHO, FLL is too crowded," and someone replied, "Is it too much trouble to spell those words out, Oceanwench?" I would feel the person was criticizing me. Am I too lazy to type? Am I too negligent of the English language?

Reading through this thread again, I can't say my opinion has changed.
It was implied that those who use nicknames for the ships are too lazy to be bothered to use the proper name.

Reading these boards almost daily, I've learned the jargon -- and I have seen most use IMHO or FLL frequently.
Are they too lazy to write out, "in my humble opinion" or "Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport"???
I don't think so.

So, in the spirit of being forthright and wanting to express an opinion ... I did.

As I said, language evolves, words evolve, contractions happen.
In this world of increased communication by Internet, people are going to resort to using shorthand to send their thoughts.
So be it.

[sail7seas]

OP is VERY sorry I asked.


I asked a simple question. Certainly didn't plan on an 'International Incident'. :eek:

Amazing how a simple question turned into people being absolutely sure the asking was a criticism. No where did I (OP) ever criticize anyone.

Are you all sure you can say the same?

You know....that rule we have here about personal attacks???

[HeatherInFlorida]

Oceanwench, well ... it's okay not to see eye to eye on this because I don't think it's a right/wrong ... black/white issue.

Maybe we just overkilled it a bit. I understand what you're saying. But also from my own experience reading these boards, I have learned how some people express themselves more directly than others. And, as in friendships, I recognize different people's forms of expression.

In a very convoluted way, I'm saying that I understood Sail's original point and I also understand yours.

Still friends, right?;)

[sail7seas]

Why? For the same reason you use contractions (i.e. - don't, can't, etc.). It's easier!

As indicated above, I was not referring to abbreviations such as ZUDM (the abbreviation HAL uses for Zuiderdam). I was referring to re-naming the ship. Zuiderdam to Zuidy. Why is Zuidy EASIER (as you say) to write than ZUDM or even Zui, which is the abbreviation some people use?

I think that should clarify what my question meant.

If don't, please say so and I shall try to make myself more clear.

[Ziggy7]

Eeeeeks, I'm re-thinking my posts on here, I didn't realize people were looking at the spelling so closely :( I'm sure I'm the worst, I get to typing so fast and dont take the time to check correct spelling, I figured as long as you got my point it didn't matter eeeks! :eek: :o :(

This is not aimed at anyone person, so please dont take it personally :)

[sail7seas]

:D Ziggy????



You trying to take my title as Typo Queen from me? ;)

[RevNeal]

I'm reminded of what James Deering, Hotel Manager aboard the Oosterdam last February, said to me about the ship's name:

"Big-O is the crew's favorite nick-name of the ship ... that is, until something goes wrong. Then she becomes the O-Dam. That's also what we say when something awful happens ... like when a whole pallet of passengers' luggage gets dumped into the bay by longshoremen. OOOO-DAAAAAM"

LOL

[jimmy2x]

I see nothing wrong with using nicknames or shortening the ship names.
Even those in Navy did it. The Saratoga was often referred to as "Sara".

I was on the Oriskany, usually referred to as tthe "O'Boat". Seems to me there used to be another word beginning with S that also referred to the Saratoga.;)

[dakrewser]

As indicated above, I was not referring to abbreviations such as ZUDM (the abbreviation HAL uses for Zuiderdam). I was referring to re-naming the ship. Zuiderdam to Zuidy. Why is Zuidy EASIER (as you say) to write than ZUDM or even Zui, which is the abbreviation some people use?

I think that should clarify what my question meant.

If don't, please say so and I shall try to make myself more clear.





Um, "Zuidy" isn't an abbreviation, ikt's one of those cutesy, "endearing" nicknames. WE all do it, all the time. Some make me cringe, others I use myself. Que sera, sera....:)

[Ziggy7]

:D Ziggy????



You trying to take my title as Typo Queen from me? ;) oooops sorry Sail, we can share that too ok ;)

[Lisa63]

Oh boy, S7S, you're going to love this! There's a poster on another thread who is sailing on the Westy and wonders whether the compy is worth it. Had to open the thread to find out what a 'compy' is. Can you guess?I give up... what's a "compy?" :)

[Esme]

I give up... what's a "compy?" :)

Found the thread that the2ofus mentioned and it's a Computer! :D

Now that's a new one for me! :D

[sail7seas]

Um, "Zuidy" isn't an abbreviation, ikt's one of those cutesy, "endearing" nicknames. WE all do it, all the time. Some make me cringe, others I use myself. Que sera, sera....:)




Of course, "Zuidy" is not an abbreviation. However, ZUDM is one.

Abbreviation: ZUDM
Re-naming of the vessel: Zuidy

[JohnR49er]

It must be a slow day for cruise topics !

Thnx to the OP, J, 4 helping me lmao !!!!!!!!!:D

[RevNeal]

I don't call my computer a "compy" ... I might call it many names, but not THAT! ;)

Actually, I use a Macintosh Powerbook ... hence, I call my computer "my wonderful auxiliary brain."

[the2ofus]

tomc,
Thanks for the correction. In an effort to avoid unnecessary keystrokes I neglected to make a distinction between cabbin stewarts and dinning stewarts. ;-) I'm especially sensitive because I have a son named Stuart and people have kept trying to turn him into a Stewart, or God-forbid, Stewey, for more than thirty years.

[the2ofus]

Revneal,
Right now I'm finishing work on a huge document with many inserted photographs. It is slow to save and cumbersome to edit. I've been calling my 'older' Dell names to make a Pastor blush. Then I beg it to behave just another day so I can wrap this up!

Oh yes, back on topic, my reward for doing this is our October Volendam cruise!!

[Ziggy7]

tomc,
Thanks for the correction. In an effort to avoid unnecessary keystrokes I neglected to make a distinction between cabbin stewarts and dinning stewarts. ;-) I'm especially sensitive because I have a son named Stuart and people have kept trying to turn him into a Stewart, or God-forbid, Stewey, for more than thirty years.Gee all this time I thought it was steward! :p

[tomc]

Dear 2:

I have a son named Stuart. There is a big difference among, say, dinning room Stewarts, cabbin Stewarts and Gilbert Stewarts. The last named are those who paint the outside of the ships and, I think, never finish the job.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Dear 2:

There is a big difference among, say, dinning room Stewarts, cabbin Stewarts and Gilbert Stewarts. The last named are those who paint the outside of the ships and, I think, never finish the job.

TomC,
how dare you abbreviate the2ofus' name. :D

Bill

[RevNeal]

I've been calling my 'older' Dell names to make a Pastor blush.

You've never been on the golf course with a bunch of clergy, have you? ;)
I would use some rather "colorful" language with a EEEEEVil Dell, too.

[grannynurse]

Get your tongue out of your cheek!
How subtle!
You're going to cause a "din" in the dinning room and get the stewarts upset alot....Shame on you!

I think I'll just cringe silently and ignore this thread.....
Don't you just hate people who do this...............................

[Cuttle]

Um, "Zuidy" isn't an abbreviation, it's one of those cutesy, "endearing" nicknames. WE all do it, all the time.

What endearing nicknames do the other "dam" ships have? The Zuidy seems to be one, the Westy another and "O". But what about the others. I have not heard or read any for the Amsterdam, could it be "Amy" the Rotterdam, "Rotter"
What about Zaandam, Maasdam, Noordam, Statendam, Ryndam, Veendam, Volendam and Prinsendam. Do any of you have "pet" names for these ships - Za, Ma, No, St, Ry, Vee, Vo, or Prince? Just wondered!;)

[Oceanwench]

OP is VERY sorry I asked.


I asked a simple question. Certainly didn't plan on an 'International Incident'. :eek:

Amazing how a simple question turned into people being absolutely sure the asking was a criticism. No where did I (OP) ever criticize anyone.

Are you all sure you can say the same?

You know....that rule we have here about personal attacks???




This is what could be construed as a criticism, taken from your OP:

"I don't get it!!! Are we so casual in our world today that we can't even use the required number of syllables to pronounce/call something/someone by their given names?"

Now I realize "casual" is open to interpretation, and I do not need references to Webster's to reinforce that.
However, the "we can't even use the required syllables" is judgmental. Especially with the word "even."

As in "You can't even pick up after yourself?"
"You can't even give me one dollar?"
"You can't even speak correct English?"

As a person who does use abbreviations or shortcuts -- Zui, LOL -- I find myself chastened by this post.
Because I am obviously so "casual" that I can't "even use the required number of syllables" et cetera, et cetera.
I have read the bulletin board enough to know that most of those who are frequent posters use FLL all the time.
Are they so casual that they cannot use the required number of syllables to pronounce/call something by its given name?
Are we to expect everyone to write out Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport each time they wish to speak of FLL?

I do not see any personal attacks -- just people speaking their minds on what the OP stated.

Thanks to Revneal and Dakrewser for some humor along the way!
Interesting to learn that the crew members also nickname their ships.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Just for the record, there is no such thing as a Cabin "Stewart", Dining Room "Stewart" or any other "Stewart" on a cruiseship.

They are all "Stewards".

Sorry, but it's been driving me nuts for months. Thinking I might be wrong (it happens:o ) I've checked every imagineable place and "Stewart" is simply incorrect.

....which has to do with absolutely nothing but you know me and my 2 cents;)

[CDRMark]

I had a steward named Stuart. He was from Seward.
Cheers
MarkB

[tomc]

I was watching a Jimmy Steward film last night; real good. One of my favorite actors.

I sometimes refer to the "Amster" and the "Rotter" in my posts. Also, since some people cringe and blush at baaad words, I often clean up my act and refer to the Rotterdarn and the Amsterdarn.

[Oceanwench]

Heather,

They were just joking about "stewart," which is one of the most common errors on this board.
Note that one of the posters mentioned "dinning room" -- another common error.

Unless, of course, they were talking about a steward named Stewart?

Perhaps at this point we should take the first half of the title of this thread to heart: It really doesn't matter.

I am not angry with anyone. I just feel that if someone wants to ensure the proper use of the full names of things, he/she should do it with all names, not just the names of the ships.
That means refraining from using HAL, FLL and so forth.
If you are going to talk the talk, then walk the walk.
:)
As for me, I will contiue to use abbreviations, shorthand, nicknames and such ... laugh out loud. :rolleyes:

[HeatherInFlorida]

Ooooooooooooh ... I see. Thanks! I had noticed that for months and of course kept my mouth shut because it's not nice to point out errors like that. But when I saw it over and over, I couldn't stop my fingers:D .

[DrivesLikeMario]

Amen Oceanwench. I agree! :)

[RevNeal]

Thanks to Revneal and Dakrewser for some humor along the way!
Interesting to learn that the crew members also nickname their ships.

U R very welcome. ;)

Actually, what's even more funny are the nick-names the crew has for us ... the passengers. They will often make you sit back an think.

[tomc]

Actually, what's even more funny are the nick-names the crew has for us ... the passengers. Airline pilots and cabin attendants refer to the passengers as "self-loading freight," or SLF.

[Oceanwench]

I can only imagine! :eek:

"There goes 'girl in need of a fashion makeover' from cabin 6004."

[dakrewser]

While we were still living in Texas, we took a 2 week cruise on Another Cruise Line which had open sitting in the DR (no, the line is no longer around). On the first night I came in wearing the hat you see in my avatar picture and Stewart called me "Texas"! (actually, it's a Monterrey hat, but the explanation seemed lost on him. NHe didn't look like a Scot, either!). By the end of the first week, every crew member on the ship was calling me "Texas!" whethor or not I had the hat on. Of course, for some who didn't have English as a first (or even second) language, it some times sounded like "tex-ASS". I wonder what they meant by that?

[gizmo]

Amen Oceanwench. I agree! :)

Ditto

[Ziggy7]

While we were still living in Texas, we took a 2 week cruise on Another Cruise Line which had open sitting in the DR (no, the line is no longer around). On the first night I came in wearing the hat you see in my avatar picture and Stewart called me "Texas"! (actually, it's a Monterrey hat, but the explanation seemed lost on him. NHe didn't look like a Scot, either!). By the end of the first week, every crew member on the ship was calling me "Texas!" whethor or not I had the hat on. Of course, for some who didn't have English as a first (or even second) language, it some times sounded like "tex-ASS". I wonder what they meant by that?Oh my, you did the ultimate sin on a cruise ship! You wore your hat into the dining room! Shame Shame, that is a fashion no no! :p
hehehe sorry had to tease you on that one :)

[cactuslady]

I will end here, get in my Bavarian Motor Works automobile, drive down Interstate 95, stop at the automated teller machine, stop for gasoline at the British Petroleum station, then go home.

Watch out for the cops (ooops, State Patrol Officers) and their RAdio Detecting And Ranging units.

[dakrewser]

Oh my, you did the ultimate sin on a cruise ship! You wore your hat into the dining room! Shame Shame, that is a fashion no no! :p
hehehe sorry had to tease you on that one :)

Well, ma'am, you should know that a Texan only removes his hat to go to bed - and not always then!

[cactuslady]

Heather,

That means refraining from using HAL, FLL and so forth.

I'll send a note right up to the home office about Club HAL. It sets such a terrible example for the younger generation.
;)

[Oceanwench]

I'll send a note right up to the home office about Club HAL. It sets such a terrible example for the younger generation.
;)

I'm rolling on the floor, laughing out loud, Cactuslady!

Perhaps we should get the Federal Bureau of Investigation to look into this, or the Central Intelligence Agency. Someone from Washington, District of Columbia, might be able to help.

Of course those organizations may be busy testing the waters with their SOund Navigation And Ranging devices!

[jhannah]

What endearing nicknames do the other "dam" ships have? The Zuidy seems to be one, the Westy another and "O". Careful. Can't use "O" as that's copyrighted by Cirque de Soleil. It's a production show at the Bellagio. ;)

[Bill S]

I wonder if Stuart, the steward from Seward, is stalwart about facing seaward? :confused:

[WISCruiser]

I was on the Oriskany, usually referred to as tthe "O'Boat". Seems to me there used to be another word beginning with S that also referred to the Saratoga.;)

Jimmy2x...
I believe she was called the "Sorry" Sara. I was on board the "Lady" Lex for awhile.

[Lisa63]

What a great thread! Some of the responses have me laughing out loud (LOL)!

Back to the original question, though --
Abbreviating the names of passenger ships is nothing new. Queen Elizabeth was affectionately called "Lizzie." Constitution was often called "Connie." I don't think any disrespect is meant, just a term of endearment.