D&D General Do You Use "D&D" As Code For "RPGs"?

[Deset Gled]

If you say "RPG", many people will assume a video game, not a tabletop game. Just saying "D&D" is fine to get around that in casual conversation.

I also say "Allen wrench" when I mean "hex key", and "Band-Aid" when I mean "bandage". Generally speaking, this hasn't caused many problems.

 

[SteveC]

No, but I deal enough with people who know very little about it so I sort of have to. It's like the soda/pop versus "Coke" issue in different parts of the country.

 

[Ulfgeir]

Never used D&D as a catchall-term for rpgs. And I really do dislike the term ttrpg.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Probably have, but can't remember for certain. Context I'm sure would have mattered whether I did or not.

If I was talking gaming or hobbies or entertainment with people, I probably would have said 'roleplaying game' as the context would be more clear as to what I was referring to. If I was talking to someone who had no connections whatsoever to nerd entertainment or it was in context of something completely separate from it (like talking about my availability or scheduling)... I probably would have used 'Dungeons & Dragons' as an easier catch-all term.

Like if my mother-in-law asked me if I was available some Thursday night I might have said "Sorry, I can't, that's my D&D night", even if I was playing some other RPG.

 

[Tonguez]

I tend to just say Games for the general audience (who usually assume video games or boardgames), but will clarify with "RPGs like DnD" for those who ask.

 

[J.Quondam]

I've used "D&D" to mean fantasy rpgs broadly, though I'm usually referring to something pretty closely D&D-adjacent when I do. With non-gamers, and speaking generally, my usual term is just "roleplaying" or "roleplaying gaming" or even just "gaming".

A term I've heard in the last several years is "tabletop", as in "Do you tabletop?" with the meaning "Do you play RPGs?"

 

[Retreater]

My gaming group refers to the hobby as D&D. Even if we're playing a different system. Even if we're playing a different genre. Even if what we're playing doesn't resemble D&D at all (such as playing Dread with a Jenga tower).

At this point, once summer weather gets here, I'm going to invite them to a BBQ and tell them it's D&D.

 

[uzirath]

I've used the generic "D&D" with the uninitiated (or uninterested) since at least 1989. If people want more info, I'll explain "It's a game like D&D" or "It's like D&D in space."

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Depends on the context. If it's someone that I don't think will get the distinction, or I just don't want to get deep into the weeds, yeah, whatever I'm playing is "D&D." Otherwise I will say what I'm actually playing.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I have used "D&D" when talking to normies, but the moment we go into any more detail, it gets more specific. But if they don't care at all, there's no reason to explain what DCC or Shadowdark or Pirate Borg are.