When did "PHB" become "PH"?

[Riley]

Interesting. I glanced at my DD and FF, and didn't see either PH or PHB... though neither is digital, so I can't search for certainty.

So I guess the answer is somewhere between May 1979, and Jan 1982? Assuming that TSR was internally consistent, which seems unlikely.

On an unrelated note, I was surprised to learn that Deities & Demigods refers to itself as "DDG."

 

[Tovec]

While I've seen many people call it the PH over the years, I've always used PHB and probably always will.

And as far as "when did it become standard" I think it was another that came with the rise of 4e. Prior to that I would most often see PHB (with some PHs mixed in) but after 4e I saw PH with some PHBs mixed in. This was mostly at the WotC forum since I was there almost exclusively during the 4e development phase and up until after release.

I do agree that PH is probably technically right, but it bothers me to say it. It just feels incomplete to me.

 

[Neonchameleon]

When the edition wars turned acidic.

 

[Marius Delphus]

There's a certain beauty to the three-letter acronyms. PHB, DMG, DDG, MOP. But MM, FF, UA messed with my nice Lotus 1-2-3 database, so I forced three-letter acronyms... therefore I'm probably biased. (MM1, FFO, UAR worked but were less elegant than I had hoped.) It was kludgy, but it worked all right for a while....

Then came the latter days of 3rd Edition. PHB2 or PH2? DMG2 or what? Okay, four letters. Can't be MOM1, that's just wrong. MMN1? Darnit!

There's just no love for those of us that spend time thinking about these things. "PHB" forever.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

It will always be the PHB to me!

 

[jeffh]

I think I mostly use PH, though it's not something I've ever given much thought until now. It may depend on whether it's being mentioned in the same breath as the DMG or not.

 

[thewok]

When writing, I use "PHB," "DMG" and "MM." When speaking, I use "Player's Handbook," "DM's Guide" and "Monster Manual." Honestly, even when I read the acronyms, I say the full name (or shortened full name in the case of the DMG).

PH sounds weird. It's like I'm at work talking about that alkalized water we sell.

 

[The Hitcher]

I type "PHB", but I've never actually said it out loud. Why would you? It’s no faster than saying the name in full.

I have said DMG out loud - it flows nicely and is much easier than saying the full title.

MM is maybe a touch faster than saying "Monster Manual", but it just sounds like you're asking for candy, so don't do it.

 

[gamerprinter]

I've always used PHB, and never PH, and never noticed a change in general usage. That said I have even a more complex issue, since I play Pathfinder these days, I can't refer to PHB nor DMG anymore, since the Core is both. Now a days, I have to say - its in the Core, if I want to refer to either.

 

[am181d]

When WotC released the d20 License, they gave permission for publishers to abbreviate the Player's Handbook as "PHB" so presumably that was what they were using internally circa 2002 or so:


Q: Can I reference the Player's Handbook or any other published d20 product?

A: The d20 System Guide sets guidelines for what products you may refer to and how this should be done. You can reference the Player's Handbook by title or as the PHB. Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual can't be referenced by name, only abbreviation (DMG and MM, respectively). The Psionics Handbook and the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game must be referenced by their full title. The d20 System Guide will be updated with details on how to refer to new books as their content enters the SRD.

Source: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/srdfaq/20040123b