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Know your abbreviations

Posted: November 6, 2013 - 12:15am

Abbreviations are shortened versions of words or phrases. When used in written communications, abbreviations function as a shorthand so more meaning can be conveyed with fewer words in quicker time.

Initialisms, contractions, shortening and acronyms are all types of abbreviations. In initialism, the initial letters of words are pronounced separately; UN, the abbreviation for the United Nations, is an example. Contractions are those abbreviations in which the middle letters are not written but pronounced; ie, Dr. is pronounced doctor. Every profession has its own unique jargon and here shortenings are common; ie, attorneys’ lingo for doing legal work for free is called pro bono but the original Latin phrase to do for the public good is pro bono publico. Acronyms are probably the most common abbreviations and technically these are words made pronounceable by the combining of the first letters of several words. Successful acronyms like Disney World’s EPCOT, whose full name is Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow, often replace the original words.

Language is dynamic and changes in response to how people think over time. An example of how pop culture influences words is yuppie. Although the original acronym of yup stood for young urban professional, by the early 1980s it morphed into yuppie and was used to describe a young college-educated, well paid professional who lived the affluent life style in an major city.

Sometimes words borrowed from other languages become accepted as English; pizza translates into Italian as pie but for us it’s a dough food with sauce and toppings. Portmanteaus are new words created by combing two existing words; breakfast+lunch have merged into brunch. Internet slang terms originally were used by only a select subset of people but gradually these words have been adopted into the mainstream and have become practically a whole new language. The online microblogging social networking site Twitter limits messages to 140 characters so communication requires spelling with as few letters as possible. in which messages must contain 140 or fewer characters; CUL8R comes to mean see you later.

Since identical abbreviations can have different meanings, the circumstances in which they are used can be important. In Information technology, CAT stands for computer-aided translation, a software program that assists human translators, while in medicine CAT refers to the imaging test known as computer axial tomography scan.

In this trivia challenge, we’ll provide you with an abbreviation and a clue to its context and then you provide the original word or phrase.

1. POTUS: Highest level national politician (President of the United States)

2. Snafu: WWII Corpsman created word for ongoing mess (situation normal, all fouled up)

3. PAW : Teen text message during an online conversation (parents are watching)

4. A.M.: Time-keeping code for morning (from Latin ante meridem or before noon)

5. DNA: Genetic material which can make copies of itself (deoxyribonucleic acid)

6. Modem: Device which converts electric signals for compatibility (MOdulator/DEModulator)

7. SWAT team: Specially trained elite police squad (Special Weapons And Tactics team)

8. APO: Carrier for military personnel mail (Army Post Office)

9. CVS: First large chain pharmacy outlet in the U.S. (Consumer Value Store)

10. NIMBY: Reason ascribed to neighborhood residents who oppose a new public works project (Not In My Back Yard)

11. FBI: Division of the U.S. Deptartment of Justice which has jurisdiction over violations of 200 categories for federal law (Federal Bureau of Investigation)

12. Qantas: Flag carrier of Australia (Queensland And Northern Territory Aerial Services)

13. DSLR camera: More advanced photographic equipment than a basic point and shoot model (Digital Single Lens Reflex camera)

14. COLA: Social Security benefit increase based on Consumer Price Index changes (Cost-Of-Living Adjustment)

15. ISBN: Found inside books, it originated as an in-stock record-keeping system (International Standard Book Number)

16. AFLAC: A Fortune 500 insurance company whose mascot is a talking duck (American Family Life Insurance Company)

17. CD-ROM: Small plastic plate on which the stored information cannot be changed (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory)

18. DHS: Federal cabinet-level department created in response to 9/11 attacks (Department of Homeland Security)

19. GIGO: Computer processing of nonsensical data which produces nonsensical data (Garbage In Garbage Out)

20. SAG: Labor union which represents professional entertainers (Screen Actors Guild)

21. Fiat: Italian automobile manufacturer (Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino)

22. C-SPAN: A nonprofit public service TV network which covers federal and private political affairs (Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network)

23. IMHO: Internet disclaimer usually used when passing judgment (In My Humble Opinion)

24. Pub: Typical British drinking establishment (public house)

25. ACL tear: One of the most common knee injuries associated with high demand sports (anterior cruciate ligament tear)

26. km: Metric unit of length (kilometer)

27. NATO: Mlitary alliance between North American and European countries (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

28. R&D: Investigative activities geared to creation of new products (Research & Development)

29. SLAW: Text message for approval of a proposition (Sounds Like a Winner)

30. RSVP: French social invitation etiquette (Repondez S’il Vous Plait)

31. MD: Indicates section of piano music to be played with right hand (Mano Destra)

32. SHAZAM!: Invoked by comic book character Billy Batson to become Captain Marvel (Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, Mercury)

33. RPh: Licensed dispenser of prescription drugs (Registered Pharmacist)

34. ATM: Unattended banking outlet (Automated Teller Machine)

35. ACT: Multiple choice national university admissions exam (American College Test)

36. GPS: Space-based satellite navigation network (Global Positioning System)

37. NASCAR: Sanctioning entity for auto racing sports (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)

38. SNAP: Federal aid program formerly known as food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

39. NPK: Substances which are the primary ingredients in garden fertilizers (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium)

40. TGIF: Pop culture slang to express relief that it’s the end of the work week (Thank God It’s Friday)

41. i.e.: Restates what has already been said in other words (that is, from the Latin id est)

42. BBC: English production company of TV’s Masterpiece Theatre (British Broadcasting Company)

43. NCAA: Organizer of university athletic programs (National Collegiate Athletic Association)

44. IPO: Capital raising sale by a previously privately held company (Initial Public Offering)

45. .com: A top level domain web site address (commercial intent)

46. NA: After a financial institution’s name, it means it is regulated by Office of Comptroller of Currency in Washington D.C. (National Association)

47. Zoo: Facility where wild animals are displayed within enclosures (zoological gardens or menagerie)

48. QVC: TV network specializing in televised home shopping (Quality, Value, Convenience)

49. PTO: Directions at the bottom of a written page (please turn over)

50. SEAL: U.S. Navy’s special operations force (SEa, Air, Land)

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