Abbreviations, nicknames, jargon, and other short forms save time, space, and effort - provided they are understood. Thousands of new and potentially confusing terms become part of the international vocabulary each year, while our communications are relayed to one another with increasing speed. PDAs link to PCs. The Net has grown into data central, shopping mall, and grocery store all rolled into one. E-mail is faster than snail mail, cell phones are faster yet - and it is all done 24/7. Longtime and widespread use of certain abbreviations, such as R.S.V.P., has made them better understood standing alone than spelled out. Certainly we are more comfortable saying DNA than deoxyribonucleic acid - but how many people today really remember what the initials stand for? "The Abbreviations Dictionary, Tenth Edition" gives you this and other information from Airlines of the World to the Zodiacal Signs. Still a standard reference after more than 40 years, this edition continues the tradition of accuracy and comprehensiveness that has made it a classic. It remains the international sourcebook for locating elusive or general information on a vast array of topics. Updated and expanded, the Tenth Edition contains abbreviations, acronyms, appellations, contractions, numbered abbreviations and other short forms from computing, high technology, science, and a broad range of other fields, pastimes, groups, and of course, government and the military. "Abbreviations Dictionary, Tenth Edition", is also the ready reference for useful information on such diverse topics as computer jargon, earthquake data, English grammar and usage, international conversions, medical terminology, wedding anniversaries, Zip coding, and more. It is a current, easily accessible resource for locating some of the most elusive and confusing elements of our language. When you have the Abbreviations Dictionary on your shelf, you will not need any other reference for short forms or abbreviations. See what's new in the Tenth Edition: 15, 000 new references; two completely new sections; expanded and updated sections such as Bafflegab Divulged, Eponyms, Nicknames and Geographical Names, and Symbols-including Emoticons.