We’ve probably all responded to an RSVP without having any idea what it stands for. The acronym stands for, “Respondez s’il vous plait” which is French for, “Please reply.”
If you’re out partying with a group and one friend goes missing you might say he’s gone AWOL. What you’re really saying is that your friend is, “absent without leave.” It’s a term used in the U.S. military at least since World War II.
It’s OK. If you’re not an astronaut, nobody will ever quiz you on this one. But it means, “National Aeronautics and Space Administration.”
You might know how to write in APA style but do you know where that style originated? APA stands for, “American Psychological Association.”
This one means, “In my humble opinion.” However, anybody who is actually humble is humble enough to use full words in case the other person doesn’t understand them.
This one is one letter away from the bring-your-own-booze acronym but is actually very different: it means, “Mind your own business” and it works, since anyone you’re saying this to probably isn’t worth complete words.
This acronym means, “Not that it matters.” There should be an acronym for people who use such dismissive language about something they themselves just said.
If you see this sign posted on a store window, it means, “Out to lunch.” And if someone young enough to use OTL is running a store, that store is probably run by a teenager.
SLAP sounds harsh but it actually means, “Sounds like a plan.”
You have the app, you have the channel, you even have the Sunday ticket. But do you have the knowledge of what this means? ESPN stands for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network.
You might see this one pop up in Yelp reviews. It means, “Complete waste of time.” Such a waste of time apparently that is wasn’t even worth using complete words to describe.
Parents, look out for this one: it means, “Parents are watching” and it means your kid is up to something online you wouldn’t approve of.
DMV workers are agitated enough. Give them a break. This one stands for “name, address and zip code.” You’re supposed to know that so they don’t have to explain it to you when you’re filling out a form.
This is an important one to look out for when buying or leasing a new car. It means, “your mileage may vary” and is a convenient way for dealers to sneak important information past you.
You watch your favorite programs on it but do you know that it stands for? Columbia Broadcasting System?
