Exercise: Please write the meaning of each acronym and abbreviation below that you understand.
1.
FYI
2.
FYA
3.
TBA
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
6.
BTW
_________________________________________________
4.
ASAP _________________________________________________
5.
TGIF _________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
7.
RSVP _________________________________________________
8.
PS _________________________________________________
9.
PPS
10.
J/K
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________ 11.
AKA
12.
DOB _________________________________________________
13.
OIOS _________________________________________________
14.
DC2
15.
FAQ
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
16.
LOL
17.
NRN
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
18.
w/o _________________________________________________
19.
WTG _________________________________________________
20.
OTOH _________________________________________________
For Discussion
1.
Can you think of other acronyms that you have seen used frequently?
2.
Which of the above acronyms are OK – perhaps even necessary – to use at the UN?
3.
Which of the above acronyms should be avoided in work-related Email? Why?
October, 2004
( Nooyen )

ANSWER KEY
PPS =
J/K =
AKA =
DOB =
OIOS =
DC2 =
FAQ =
LOL =
NRN = w/o =
WTG
FYI =
FYA =
TBA =
ASAP =
TGIF =
BTW =
RSVP =
PS =
For your information
For your action
To be announced
As soon as possible
Thank God It’s Friday
By the Way
From the French, répondez s’il vous plait
. When used in English, it means please respond
Post Script. This is used to add a final ‘extra’ note after you’ve already signed your name.
Post post script. This is used to add a second ‘extra’ note after you’ve signed your name.
Just Kidding.
Also Known As
Date of Birth
Office of Internal Oversight Services
Development Corporation (the company that owns the building), second building.
Frequently Asked Questions (sometimes written FAQs)
Laugh Out Loud
No Response Necessary without
Way to Go!
OTOH On the Other Hand
For Discussion: Suggested Answers
Can you think of other acronyms that you have seen used frequently?
Many answers are possible.
Which of the above acronyms are OK – perhaps even necessary – to use at the UN?
All those typed in bold above are common enough in UN e-mail that you can expect all
readers to understand. In fact, those highlighted and in bold are best as an acronym.
Which of the above acronyms should be avoided in work-related Email? Why?
All acronyms above which are NOT in bold should best be avoided because the reader may not understand and/or because it is too informal for work-related Email. Above all, it is important to always keep your reader in mind.
October, 2004
( Nooyen )