Abbreviations with mutliple meanings

  • Context: Undergrad 
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on abbreviations with multiple meanings, particularly in the fields of medicine and government. Examples include DFT, which stands for discrete Fourier transform, density functional theory, and double field theory, and ABC, which represents both airway, breathing, cardiac in medical contexts and Alcoholic Beverage Control in government. Participants highlight the confusion caused by such abbreviations and suggest the need for clearer communication. The conversation also touches on the humorous aspects of redundancy in language, particularly with terms like PIN (Personal Identification Number).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of abbreviations and acronyms in technical and professional contexts
  • Familiarity with medical terminology and its implications
  • Knowledge of government agency functions and their abbreviations
  • Basic grasp of communication principles in professional settings
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of using ambiguous abbreviations in professional communication
  • Explore the role of acronyms in medical documentation and patient care
  • Investigate best practices for creating clear and effective abbreviations in technical writing
  • Learn about the resources available for deciphering acronyms, such as Acronym Finder
USEFUL FOR

Professionals in healthcare, government employees, linguists, and anyone involved in technical writing or communication who seeks to improve clarity and reduce misunderstandings caused by abbreviations.

Demystifier
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DFT = discrete Fourier transform / density functional theory / double field theory

This example has 3 meanings, all of which are relevant for a single science (in this case, physics).

Can someone do better? (Artificial abbreviations which are not in actual use are not allowed.)
 
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SOB -- Medical term (shortness of breath) and the other more profane meaning...

ALOC -- Medical (altered level of consciousness) and Military (air line of communication)

ABC -- Medical (airway, breathing, cardiac) and Government Agency (Alcoholic Beverage Control)
 
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HVAC- i)Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
ii) High Voltage Alternating Current
I am not sure if the second one is that common..
 
berkeman said:
ABC -- Medical (airway, breathing, cardiac) and Government Agency (Alcoholic Beverage Control)
Also American Broadcasting Corporation and Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
 
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SAA: South African Airways
SAA: Society Against Abbreviations ( guess they never saw the irony)..

Puny ##27^3 =19683## abbreviations against a few billion people trying to shorten word combos; . Maybe we need to consider 4-letter abbreviations to take the total to 531441 options?

EDIT: It was actually SAUNA: http://www.acronymfinder.com/Society-Against-Unnecessary-Acronyms-(SAUNA).html
 
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430x550.png
 
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TLA
Texas Library Association
Tennessee Library Association
Theater of Living Arts
Total Learning Architecture
Teaching Learning & Assessment
Three Letter Acronym
 
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ADD:
  • Acceptable Daily Dose
  • Acute Diarrhoeal Disorder
  • Attention Deficit Disorder
and AD&D, Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (or Attention Deficit & Dice).
 
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  • #10
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  • #11
WWGD said:
I have the same beef with PIN:
:thumbup:... Examples .
 
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  • #12
OCR said:
:thumbup:... Examples .
I almost asked a cashier out because she used the terms PIN and ATM, _without_ redundant redundance ;).
 
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  • #13
WWGD said:
I almost asked a cashier out because she used the terms PIN and ATM, _without_ redundant redundance ;).
Lol... RAP phrases .
 
  • #14
TANSTAAFL
 
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Noisy Rhysling said:
TANSTAAFL
Lol...
 
  • #16
WWGD said:
I almost asked a cashier out because she used the terms PIN and ATM, _without_ redundant redundance ;).
The Department of Redundancy Department is impressed.
 
  • #17
There's this Canadian utility company named H2O4U ...
 
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  • #18
Whenever I see an acronym I don't know, I go to www.acronymfinder.com. Most of the time, there are lots of possibilities, for instance:
berkeman said:
ABC -- Medical (airway, breathing, cardiac) and Government Agency (Alcoholic Beverage Control)
jtbell said:
Also American Broadcasting Corporation and Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
are just a few of the 357 listed there :smile:
 

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