Is there a directory of abbreviations available anywhere...

[Cathal Whelehan]

one of the things I found a little challenging when reading this site as a complete newcomer to mandolins in the last few months is the abbreviations that are used so liberally. I don't mean LOL and that. I mean the mandolin-jargon type abbreviation.

I've worked out the ones that are easiest (such as OM etc.) from the context they're used in, but there are still several I can't get to the bottom of so would it be futile for me to hope there might some sort of directory? Searching comes up with nothing.

For now, I'd be happy if you could please post some picture clues that would explain the meaning of MAS. That's the one that's completely foxed me every time. :redface:

Many thanks. C

[Cathal Whelehan]

^^^ please ignore the post above.

I've found what I was looking for now.

My fault for using the search function incorrectly the first time.

[JEStanek]

If I see an acronym like YMMV or IIRC I'll google it and get the definition pretty easily (your mileage may vary, and If I recall correctly). MAS. It's nice to have a diagnosis of the disease (Mandolin Acquisition Syndrome. When one isn't enough). I added these in case others search for them, Cathal.

Jamie

[John Flynn]

When I was in the Navy, we had an official publication, "The Dictionary of Naval Abbreviations." The designation of the publication, shown in bold letters on the cover, I am not making this up, was "DICNAVAB," and the abbreviation DICNAVAB was listed and defined in the publication itself. The Navy was full of ironies! Maybe someone here needs to create a DICMANAB!

[MikeEdgerton]

It's really already here in several posts. The OP (Original Poster) found it using the search function. For those interested check out this (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48974&highlight=abbreviations) thread.

[Cathal Whelehan]

If I see an acronym like YMMV or IIRC I'll google it and get the definition pretty easily (your mileage may vary, and If I recall correctly). MAS. It's nice to have a diagnosis of the disease (Mandolin Acquisition Syndrome. When one isn't enough). I added these in case others search for them, Cathal.

Jamie

Thank you Jamie,

I'm fairly certain it was a sentence from one of your posts that produced my best guess when you posted something like "this is what happens when MAS get out of hand"

The top-ranked 'possible' before finding out the answer was: "Mandolins And S###" :). Not that far removed, really.

All the best. C

[Cathal Whelehan]

It's really already here in several posts. The OP (Original Poster) found it using the search function. For those interested check out this (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48974&highlight=abbreviations) thread.

Hello Mike,

yes that's the thread I used too, sorry I should really have given a link to the thread myself rather that you having to do it. I've noticed your 'while you're waiting for a reply, check out these threads' posts on several occasions so I'm sure you're tired of pointing people towards the search function.

When I first used the search it wasn't immediately apparent why I had been given certain results (ie the thread title seemed to be about something else altogether), but today I noticed that my search words are highlighted red so I can scan over the rest if need be.

Now I understand it, it's brilliant. I can only urge new users to use the search function first and then ask, I had a whole list of questions I wanted to ask and I've now already found answers to half of them and I'm sure the rest will be all but cleared up soon too. Great site in all respects, many thanks!! C

[MikeEdgerton]

I never get tired of pointing folks to the vast wealth of knowledge contained in old threads.

[journeybear]

In fact, I believe there's a thread about that. Now, if I could only find it ...


;)

[MikeEdgerton]

Most likely there is. :cool:

[journeybear]

No way. If there were, you would know about it! ;) You and Jamie are super-skilled in this area.

BTW, for the OP and all, wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acronyms_and_initialisms) (of course) has a list of a gazillion of acronyms (which these really are, not abbreviations). When I saw how many they had, I began to LMAO ... :))

[Geoff B]

this list answered a lot of my questions very quickly with internet-related abbreviations, not-mando-specific, or ira-nms (just made that one up! wooo!)
http://www.romulus2.com/articles/guides/shorthand/shorthand.shtml (http://www.romulus2.com/articles/guides/shorthand/shorthand.shtml)

[MikeEdgerton]

I think we had a list where we were making them up on the fly as well. I'll have to look for that one.

[journeybear]

You know, if we only had a FAQ ... :whistling:

That is a good list, Geoff, being internet-specific. The wikipedia one is more comprehensive, and so includes acronyms not in common usage on the web. ;)

[lmartnla]

This site gives exhaustive lists of acronym meanings across myriad specialties:

http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/

Try it!

[MikeEdgerton]

You know, if we only had a FAQ ... :whistling: ...

Have you ever seen this (http://www.mandolincafe.com/glossary/)? The main page has some great links. Folks will still ask and we'll still answer.

[journeybear]

Well, now - no, I hadn't. At least there's that. Would be nice if there were a link. Also, badly in need of alphabetization ... just sayin' ... :whistling:

Here are the M's, f'rinstance. I 'bout fell out of my chair when I didn't see "mandolin" :disbelief: but then I scrolled to the bottom.

But seriously - I'd cheerfully alphabetize this if someone would tellm where to send the corrected entries.


Mortise and Tenon
Mortise and tenon is a type of neck joint used in instrument construction.

Mandobass
A mandobass usually has four unpaired strings and is plucked with the fingers.

Mandocello
This is analogous to the cello and tuned one octave below the mandola: C, G, D, A.

Mandola
In the US, this term is usually applied to an instrument tuned one fifth below the mandolin, analogous to the viola: c, g, d, a.

Metronome
A metronome is a practice aid that sounds or displays beats at the tempo it is set to. There are two basic types: mechanical and electronic. Most music accessory stores and online vendors carry a wide selection.

MAS - Mandolin Acquisition Syndrome
A tongue-in-cheek reference made originally on the CoMando listserv that stuck and has become a common term used within the web community.

Bill Monroe
Born in Rosine, Kentucky, Bill Monroe is the acknowledged creator (ie, the "Father") of Bluegrass Music, a style of music that takes its name from his band The Bluegrass Boys.

Mandolin
The roots of the word "mandolin" are derived from the Italian for "little almond."

[MikeEdgerton]

There's a link on the home page. It's always been there.

[journeybear]

Aha! OK, my mistake. I have my favorites set up so I go directly to the message board, hardly ever go to the home page except to check the news once in a while.

[Mandoblab]

Hello Everybody,

I use the Search function all the time and find it very useful for finding a fast answer to a question I may have. When the seach term stands out in red, one can easily zoom through a very long thread for the posts one might need.

However, I have one request for folks to consider. A number of posters use red letters as part of their posting format. Unfortunately, those words catch the eye and tend to repeatedly halt one's quick scanning of the thread.

I would ask posters to consider dropping the use of red letters (can a different color be used?) for the sake of all of us "Thread Searchers."

Thanks for your consideration,
Mandoblab

[journeybear]

Best to grin and bear it rather than tilt at windmills. Leopards and spots and all that ... :)

Also best to start a new thread concerning an unrelated topic. ;)

Best of luck!

[MikeEdgerton]

I don't see very many people using colors on their postings. We had a few that went crazy a while back but that appears to have stopped.

[Cathal Whelehan]

....I would ask posters to consider dropping the use of red letters (can a different color be used?) for the sake of all of us "Thread Searchers."...

I continuously search threads and don't find it a problem. You can see at a glance that the rogue red words (which I've yet to see, IIH, WIA*) are not words you searched for so you move on.

* If I'm honest, which I am.

[JEStanek]

You can skip my red word in my Signature by turning off View Signatures in your User CP.

Jamie

[Mandoblab]

Thanks Jamie. Your solution solved the problem for me.

Mandoblab

[ApK]

BTW, for the OP and all, wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acronyms_and_initialisms) (of course) has a list of a gazillion of acronyms (which these really are, not abbreviations). When I saw how many they had, I began to LMAO ... :))

They are all abbreviations (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abbreviations)since they are short ways to express longer phrases.
They are most often initialisms (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/initialism)since they are abbreviations formed by taking the initial letters of each word in the phrase.
And although 'acronym (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acronym)' has also become a synonym for 'initialism', unless you have a good way to pronounce "YMMV" or "BTW" as a word in standard English, I would not encourage the ambiguous and imprecise use of that term.
:popcorn:

[ApK]

When I was in the Navy, we had an official publication, "The Dictionary of Naval Abbreviations." The designation of the publication, shown in bold letters on the cover, I am not making this up, was "DICNAVAB," and the abbreviation DICNAVAB was listed and defined in the publication itself. The Navy was full of ironies! Maybe someone here needs to create a DICMANAB!

Yup, the Navy, and the DOD in general is really big on those sort of abbreviations.

Remember the episode of MASH where Hawkeye called the General a "NINCOMPAC"

But I must be missing the irony....of course the abbreviation for a dictionary name would be in the dictionary of abbreviations. It would be ironic if it WASN'T there.
After all, you'd expect "dictionary" to be defined in a dictionary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dictionary), wouldn't you?

IT2 ApK, USNR
:popcorn:~o)

[Cathal Whelehan]

They are all abbreviations (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abbreviations)since they are short ways to express longer phrases.
They are most often initialisms (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/initialism)since they are abbreviations formed by taking the initial letters of each word in the phrase.
And although 'acronym (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acronym)' has also become a synonym for 'initialism', unless you have a good way to pronounce "YMMV" or "BTW" as a word in standard English, I would not encourage the ambiguous and imprecise use of that term.
:popcorn:

(strokes chin thoughtfully).. I love posts like that - better than discovery channel!

I've never heard the term initialism used before so I'll look it up later. Thanks!

[journeybear]

... although 'acronym (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acronym)' has also become a synonym for 'initialism', unless you have a good way to pronounce "YMMV" or "BTW" as a word in standard English, I would not encourage the ambiguous and imprecise use of that term.

I sit corrected. You are quite correct, sir. I have never heard nor seen that term before, but it's true - that is what is often meant when people say "acronym." They are not interchangeable; an acronym is a type of initialism. According to the MWD, an acronym is a back-formed word composed of an initialism, one which can actually be pronounced and thus used as a word. Their examples include "radar" and "laser," and may as well have included "scuba" and "fubar." People don't pronounce "BFF" "bff," they pronounce it "bee-eff-eff."

Just when I thought we had reached the limits of noodliness, you come up with that. :whistling: I'm not complaining, or even serious, merely observing, even a bit envious. :) After all, my wikipedia user page has the following motto: "Furthering the cause of truth and accuracy, one noodly concern at a time." I'm all for that. ;)

[ApK]

If only I could figure out a way to make a living at stuff like this.

[journeybear]

ATTT! YKWIM? :)) ... :grin: ... :) ... :whistling: