Well, certain things irritate some people. Certainly, I think one of the reasons you see it used frequently is that reading text (emails and posts) leave out the important tone of voice, and the intonation pattern to indicate the points stressed, or the 'attitude'. Therefore, to be sure and not appear pushy, argumentative, and definitely so as not to incite 'flaming', they just indicate that this is their opinion which they wanted to voice, versus a post that they wanted to oppose..
A number of years ago, some 'kid' I worked with said, Sedona - you are so anti-marriage! I was dismayed that either I had given that impression, or that simply, that was what was being interpreted. I told him I was so glad he said that to me, because it gave me the chance to say, No, I'm not anti-marriage AT ALL - in fact, I hold marriage with the highest regard and reverance. It's merely that I am PRO SINGLE! He understood..
I think the IMHO is used to indicate they are in a 'sharing' mode, and not an opposition mode.
Now, you want to know what irks the living daylights out of me??
The words, "as well.." in place of 'too', or 'also'. It just became incredibly popular about two years ago and it was as if nobody even remembered to say 'too' anymore and it just sounded to me so stuffy, phony and pretentious - and nauseous! But that's my weirdness! It bothers me like fingernails on a chalkboard! I think I actually even had it used once in one of my posts, though! I just can't stand it!
We're funny creatures...
As a writer, I choose my words very carefully. Even in someting as minor as a discussion board post, I'm very much aware of my sentence structure and syntax. I also [see?] try to be very much in tune with the way my writing sounds to the reader. Often, especially when one is making a point by citing several examples, the need for conjunctions arises multiple times. If the writer simply used "too" and "also," the writing would begin to sound repetative. "As well" fits nicely as a third alternative, and can often provide for a smoother transistion into the writer's next thought.
Of course, this is just My Humble Opinion.
I think Sedona hit this one pretty much on the head. I think of the IMHO as a type of diclaimer. Something on the order of saying..."Well, you've asked my opinion on this, now don't turn 3 shades of purple because i have yold you what it is". There aren't many things that get my goat like someone asking me what i think and then getting pissed off at me when i tell them. Disagreement is fine, and often times, healthy i think. It helps people to see things from a different point of view then they normally would. But there are people that just want you to see there side and no other, so this may be a way of reminding them that your opinion is just that. Not law, but only what you think or feel on a certain matter.
Many times it helps in your writing as opposed to talking with someone also. There are many things that can be said face to face that if you read you might take exception to because you have no clue as to the persons manorisms at the time the words came out.
-- Modified on 7/3/2003 8:49:58 AM
-- Modified on 7/3/2003 8:50:28 AM
I used JMHO in a sentence when I felt that there are many valid arguments in a case and I am presenting my POV without directly countered the held position of the person I responded to.
If I presented a strong counter argument and at the same time wanted to show that it was not personal, I would probably use the phrase "I respectfully disagree".
Not sure I used these in the proper context. I got a C+ in my college English writing class.
IMHO indicates that you're willing to concede that other points of view have some validity or that you may even be wrong. I don't see anything wrong with that. Sometimes you're 100% sure of what you're saying and sometimes you're not. What's wrong with indicating that you may come around to another point of view? It is not redundant. Sometimes you're dead set on your opinion that why there is IMNSHO (In My Not So Humble Opinion) and IMO (In My Opinion). IMHO can also indicate a self-deprecating sense of humor or even sarcasm.
BTW acronyms such as IMHO, YMMV, smileys etc... date back to the pre-web, pre-commercial era of the internet when usenet newsgroups were the coolest thing around. (soc.singles and alt.sex in particular) They may seem annoying to you but to a lot of people who have been using them for the last 13 years or more they are second nature.
I still use them out of nostalgia for that bygone era when the signal to noise ratio on usenet was still relatively high and the posters interesting an humorous.
Well that's JMO and I hope you find it insightful and not inciteful 
I have known IMHO to be used as meaning "in my honest opinion" too, when one is not being humble as you pointed out. yet, that is difficult if not impossible to convey via a text only message, especially those that include all these ridiculus abbreviated terms.
while we are bringing up our pet peeves, I find it challenging (IMHO) to read these boards and much of the language online, because of the abbreviations and acronyms. also due to my lack of skill and/or abililty with the English language too. in conversation, I am able to yabber in my native tongue, an appalachian hillbilly dialect, and still be interpreted correctly. but, it can take me quite some time just to type the proper words so my ideas may be comprehended by hopefully every reader.
"anyways, I'm fixin ta lern how ta talk rite someday", and learn to capitalize when typing too.
best regards
mr.man
Right on! There's some very opinionated people on this board thowing "IMHO" around with no humility whatsoever!
I dont mean to nit pick, even though I am by complaining about IMHO, but "Im my Honest Opinion" doesnt even make sense. And anyway, who can argue about his when Barry White just passed away. I was already to state ALL of my humble opinions about this issue but hearing that news just lowered my mood 24 notches. Rest in peace Barry
