Why do people call thread starters "OP" rather than by name.

[MichelleCarmen]

Why can''t a person scroll up a few posts or go back to the start to see the name of the thread starter? I noticed this in my post in the family section. Maybe if the thread starter has a long, oddly spelled name, I could understand why it''d be easier, but my user name is only two letters. lol

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Because OP, that's just how it's done!

hehehe

 

[musey]

I can think of a few possible reasons:

1) They're in the middle of typing and want to reference the OP but don't think they can go back in their browser without losing their post (OR it's not worth the effort)

2) It's not a regular poster, so people reading might not read "banana man" and realize the person that's being referenced is the thread starter

3) They're speaking in a general sense, using the "OP" to make a point, as in: "I don't think it's helpful to the OP to veer off-topic"

Do any of those make sense? I dunno, I just pulled 'em outta my patooty.

 

[Lauren8211]

I think it''s just to draw specific attention to the fact that its the original poster. Sometimes that''s helpful to know in a reply.

 

[misskitty]

I feel like saying "OP" is a little funny near the start of a thread, but it''s definitely useful for long, multi-page threads. I think it helps differentiate between replies to other posters that might be side comments and commentary on the original topic.

On a related note, I''m not a huge fan of the use of "PP" (even though I''ve done it on occasion). Especially in longer threads where it''s clear that not all previous posters agree on something, I think it makes more sense to name the posters you''re referencing.

 

[crown1]

i just did that. as stated before my post it is easier and clearer than using the name sometimes. sorry this bothers you but i do it for clarity and simplicity.

 

[cara]

Why do people use pronouns instead of proper names?

In the case of calling someone 'OP', it is sometimes useful to refer to a poster by their role in the thread, though it is less personal than directly using their screen name. For example, when the OP asks a question or describes a scene from their personal life that inspires lots of comments and discussion and stories from other people's lives, it can be useful to distinguish the OP as the person that posted the original story or question and to separate them from all the subsequent posters.

You rarely see 'OP' on threads that are very simple and personal, like if I posted: 'Wish me luck - I'm going off to defend my thesis right now!' I would hopefully get a lot of posts that say 'Good luck cara!' or using no name at all because it is clear that subsequent poster are addressing me. You wouldn't see people say, 'OP good luck! I'm sure you'll do great!' because that would just be oddly impersonal. And, such a thread is unlikely to spur complex discussions or anything, so usually the only person that posters will be addressing is the OP but there is no need to distinguish the OP from any subsequent poster so OP is not used as much in those types of threads. Whew. Need more periods in that sentence.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 5/14/2009 12:07:09 PM
Author: misskitty
I feel like saying ''OP'' is a little funny near the start of a thread, but it''s definitely useful for long, multi-page threads. I think it helps differentiate between replies to other posters that might be side comments and commentary on the original topic.

On a related note, I''m not a huge fan of the use of ''PP'' (even though I''ve done it on occasion). Especially in longer threads where it''s clear that not all previous posters agree on something, I think it makes more sense to name the posters you''re referencing.

I didn''t even know what PP meant until now. I would have thought the person was referring to the member Purrfect Pear! lol

 

[Diamond*Dana]

Date: 5/14/2009 11:09:21 AM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
Because OP, that''s just how it''s done!

hehehe

LOL!
I only do this once in a great while, and only when the thread is several pages long.

 

[HollyS]

Sometimes their screen name is reealllyyy looooonnnnggg.

And sometimes, it is used on purpose, to depersonalize the original poster. Makes it easier for someone to post something . . . well, negative. Sometimes.

Or it is used when two dueling posters have created their own conflict by disagreeing with each other over the OP and their issue.

 

[meresal]

I may be weird but I don't use "OP" to reference the person, but more so to reference the actual content of the "original post" itself.

ie, "Back in the OP, you stated..."

 

[musey]

Date: 5/14/2009 12:39:59 PM
Author: MC

Date: 5/14/2009 12:07:09 PM

Author: misskitty

I feel like saying ''OP'' is a little funny near the start of a thread, but it''s definitely useful for long, multi-page threads. I think it helps differentiate between replies to other posters that might be side comments and commentary on the original topic.


On a related note, I''m not a huge fan of the use of ''PP'' (even though I''ve done it on occasion). Especially in longer threads where it''s clear that not all previous posters agree on something, I think it makes more sense to name the posters you''re referencing.

I didn''t even know what PP meant until now. I would have thought the person was referring to the member Purrfect Pear! lol

same here... guess I haven''t learned that much in my time on PS

 

[Steel]

Date: 5/14/2009 11:13:15 AM
Author: musey
I can think of a few possible reasons:

1) They''re in the middle of typing and want to reference the OP but don''t think they can go back in their browser without losing their post (OR it''s not worth the effort)

2) It''s not a regular poster, so people reading might not read ''banana man'' and realize the person that''s being referenced is the thread starter

3) They''re speaking in a general sense, using the ''OP'' to make a point, as in: ''I don''t think it''s helpful to the OP to veer off-topic''

Do any of those make sense? I dunno, I just pulled ''em outta my patooty.

Yup.


By the way I also had no clue that PP meant anything other that our resident Purrfect Pear!

 

[JulieN]

relic from days when forums were text only... with graphic avatars, it's a little easier to remember who the OP is.

also sometimes handy to refer to the original post.

 

[mayachel]

Hi MC, I''d imagine that it is a way to reference and draw light towards the original intent of the post. It also gives potentially emotionally charged threads on page 3 or 4, a little space to stand on their own, so as not to risk a conversation coming across as a personal attack.

 

[Haven]

Date: 5/14/2009 5:02:00 PM
Author: Steel

Date: 5/14/2009 11:13:15 AM
Author: musey

I can think of a few possible reasons:

1) They''re in the middle of typing and want to reference the OP but don''t think they can go back in their browser without losing their post (OR it''s not worth the effort)

2) It''s not a regular poster, so people reading might not read ''banana man'' and realize the person that''s being referenced is the thread starter

3) They''re speaking in a general sense, using the ''OP'' to make a point, as in: ''I don''t think it''s helpful to the OP to veer off-topic''

Do any of those make sense? I dunno, I just pulled ''em outta my patooty.

Yup.

By the way I also had no clue that PP meant anything other that our resident Purrfect Pear!

Ditto on both accounts--the reasons, and thinking that PP means Purrfectpear!