Reference Question of the Week – 2/8/15
February 14th, 2015 Brian HerzogSometimes I think my ability to be easily amused is what makes me enjoy my job so much.
This week a patron walked up to the desk - he was a middle-aged guy, and he walked somewhat quickly up to the desk. He had that focused-yet-distracted look that tells you he was intently thinking about something and wanted immediate and fast help. When he got within a few feet of the desk, he said,
What's it called when there's a term for a word that everyone knows? Like "standard penetration test" is called S.P.T.. There's a word for that.
Here's when though my head - simultaneously:
- I think he means "acronym"
- Except the example he gave is more of an abbreviation, and not actually an acronym
- It'd be kind of jerky to point that out to him
- I certainly wouldn't consider S.P.T. meaning "standard penetration test" to fall under the category of "something everyone knows"
- But perhaps it will after 50 Shades of Grey opens this weekend
- Man my job is funny
- I can't wait to post this on my blog
- Oh, the patron is still waiting for an answer
Of course all this happened in a split second, and when I said, "Do you mean 'acronym?'" the patron was pleased and relived, thanked me, and walked away. I never actually saw him again after that, but the whole situation still put me in a good mood.
By the way, my favorite acronyms are NASA and SCUBA. My most pet-peevily-misused acronym is PIN - as in, "PIN number." Ugh, that makes me cringe every time.