Abbreviations

[Coldicote]

We seem to live in a age of abbreviations. There are thousands of them, including such as RCD (which can mean Rabbit Calcivirus Disease), PDO, TSB, and so on. Some I recognise, but those I don't I usually ignore rather than have to search the internet to find out. What abbreviation problems have others had and how can they best be dealt with?

[B00]

When I first started forums years and years ago, I thought there were loads of people called TIA. Best dealt with? You could try asking whoever wrote what you don't get what it means :-)

[pips1]

haha BOO and me! tbh (to be honest) and imo (in my opinion) threw me too, as well as many others.

[Hopkirk]

I was one of many who thought LOL was lots of love (David Cameron made the same mistake) Someone apparently put it at the end of a condolence message.

[vulcan]

You would need a good memory in the American military, apparently they have 27,692 acronyms in use.

[aelmpvw]

who counted them?

[Sipowicz]

The G.I.s

[rockyracoon]

My husband's useless with text abbreviations. A while ago his gay mate sent him a joke with LOL at the bottom, he went bananas as he thought it meant lots of love, it was very funny, he felt a proper twit when it was explained.

[vulcan]

Don't know who counted them aelmpvw, but having worked with the American air force I know they can be pedantic in such matters. http://www.abbreviations.com/acronyms/MILITARY/2

[jno]

I just Google them if I'm really interested. What's the point of having an interent if you don't keep it on its toes? hth

[Delaval]

When I joined the RAF (abbr) it took me a week to work out what SCAF meant (Supply Control and Accounting Flight)

[Saki]

Very good Sipowicz!

[aelmpvw]

probably 27,693 by now

[vulcan]

Delaval, that brought back memories,I was serving when SCAF was introduced and replaced EPAS[equipment provision accounting section] lol.

[gness]

I've posted this before Coldicote but for you. I received a text about an old relative and talking about dnr for her. I thought we were going to have dinner with her and replied....How lovely, she'll enjoy that. Turned out DNR meant Do Not Resuscitate.

[Coldicote]

Oh dear Gness, that was unfortunate. Lots of amusing answers here thank you. Perhaps it would help if anyone posting on AB would, at least once, spell out what they mean. I understand they used to have G.I. (general issue) bride during the war!