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What's the best place to define acronyms?

This is a kind of mundane question, but I constantly bump into acronyms and jargon that I don't understand, whether it's in group email, Twitter, or on people's blogs or blog comments. Where can I find answers?


Dave's Answer:

TAGQ.

Uh, that's a good question.

Actually, my default place to look up the definition for acronyms is Google, believe it or not. The key is to know that one of the secret attributes you can use on a search is define:, so you can get the definition of any word or, yes, acronym.

For example, I recently saw a tweet that ended with "NFTU". What the heck?

A quick Google search for define:nftu and I found out that it means

"Notes from the Underbelly is an American sitcom that debuted on ABC as a midseason replacement. The series is based upon the novel of the same ...
and pointed me to a Wikipedia entry.

Curious about possible meanings for ROFL? It's pretty interesting:

google define rofl

Notice in particular that this word / phrase / acronym matches possible definitions in other languages too, so if you're curious about what "rofl" means in Italian, say, just click on "Italian" and you'll learn that one meaning is rotolare per terra dal ridere, abbreviazione usata nei messaggi di posta elettronica e nelle chat per indicare una forte risata. .... Whatever that means.

There are plenty of other places you can look for acronyms, of course, but my first place to turn is always Google, as it is with so many other things. :-)


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Categorized: Computer and Internet Basics   (Article 8777, Written by )
Tagged: acronyms, dictionary, english, google
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Reader Comments To Date: 2

Ken B said, on March 6, 2009 11:31 AM:

I happen to prefer AcronymFinder -- http://www.acronymfinder.com -- but that's just a personal preference. I like how it can narrow down a search by category, such as only computers or only business and finance.

That, and Google doesn't know "YKYBHTLW". :-)

Steve said, on March 18, 2009 1:03 PM:

I would suggest dictionary.com ,it would link you to other sites to find exactly what you are looking for.

Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











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