MSRP
GMO
AOC
CIDP
TED
NTSB
For the uninformed, the confused, and yes, even the dazed whose knowledge of abbreviations is limited to the IRS, LBJ, and the wearing of BVDs, I will now tell you what the above six abbreviations stand for:
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
Genetically Modified Organisms
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
Thyroid Eye Disease
National Transportation Safety Board
A portion of the American population are convinced that Anastasia Ocasio-Cortez is herself a genetically modified organism, but I digress.
Moving right along, I saw a commercial on television for a product called Relaxium. Although it sounds like it might be an antidote for an overdose of Viagra, it is actually a sleep aid. The commercial opens with a man saying, "Hello, I'm former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee". In another version of the commercial the man says, "Hello, I'm former governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee". The second version is true but the first version is not. Mke Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas but he is not now nor has he ever been the governor of former Arkansas. You do see the difference, don't you?
So I pass my days, being literal to a fault. I listen carefully to what is said as opposed to what might have been meant. The stated aim of the Society For Techical Communication back in the 1970s was that every sentence have one meaning, understood at the first reading. It is still my personal goal. In other words, friends, Ambiguity R Not Us.
Finally, some of you may have noticed the snapshot of me in the sidebar at the age of 2 or 3. As part of my ongoing week-long 83rd birthday celebration, here is the full original photograph revealing that it was my mother who was holding my hand:
P.S. - The title of this post is also the title of a song written by Cole Porter (1891-1964).
I hate acronyms - they are a way for people who think they're superior excluding those they think are less intelligent, aware, educated, experienced . . . and so on.
ReplyDeleteI too find them quite irritating. The world is adrift in a sea of alphabet-soup!! Thank you, Janice.
DeleteI was unaware that thyroids had eyes.
ReplyDeleteThey don't, of course. The clunking together of nouns, usually in reverse order, without any explanatory connecting words is what Dr. Bergen Evans of Northwestern University called the Germanization of American writing. An example of what he meant (one I've never actually heard) would be saying "the Animal Cruelty Prevention Society" instead of "the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals"....I'm not sure whether TED means (1) a disease of the eyes caused by the thyroid or (2) a disease of the thyroid that effects the eyes or (3) something else, perhaps a disease that affects both the eyes and the thyroid. Thanks for your comment, Tasker. I can count on you to be provocative at all times!
DeleteI really hate all the commercials trying to make something sound :cool" by referring to it using initials. I don't listen for mistakes in grammar. They simply jump out at me. I have to correct them. My son was tired of me screaming corrections at the TV so I am training myself to say it under my breath. It's the polite thing to do.
ReplyDeleteI also yell at the TV and even at the car radio. It's good to be able to give vent to your frustrations. You are hereby allowed and even encouraged to scream on this blog any time you like. Thank you, Emma.
DeleteHappy Birthday to you, Mr Brague.
ReplyDeleteI'm probably late for the birthday but I'm in time for Easter so Happy Easter as well. He is Risen. The grave is conquered.
I like acronyms, I get a sense of achievement from learning them. Small things amuse small minds :)
You are two weeks late for the birthday but spot on for Easter greetings. It's the thought that counts, so thank you for both wishes! I trust you had a very nice Easter as well. Thanks, Kylie.
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