Tagged Questions
9
votes
1answer
126 views
OED Appeals: Antedatings of “DIY”
The OED has made a public appeal for help in tracing the history of some English words, including:
DIY
abbreviation earlier than 1955
DIY is of course an abbreviation of do it yourself, ...
16
votes
2answers
754 views
Why 'Mrs.' isn't read as 'mistress'?
Wasn't Mrs. short for mistress? Why do we read Mrs. as missus(or sometimes missis) instead of mistress?
2
votes
3answers
2k views
What are the patterns/rules for determining U.S. state abbreviations?
I vaguely recall memorizing the state abbreviations in grades school. And I seem to remember my teacher sharing a few ground rules for helping us memorize them.
No two states may have the same ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Origin of the phrase “for the win”?
Just curious as to where "for the win" (commonly abbreviated FTW) originated?
6
votes
3answers
668 views
As “postscript” is one word, why do some abbreviate it as “p.s.”?
'Postscript' is a single word in modern English, and Dictionary.com states that it's even based on a single Latin word, postscrīptum. So, why do some abbreviate it to p.s. (or P.S.), as on this ...
45
votes
5answers
3k views
Where did “cc” and “bcc” come from?
I've just realised that CC is "carbon-copy" and BCC is "blind-carbon-copy". Basically I'm wondering, where did these terms come from?
7
votes
2answers
1k views
Why is the word 'number' abbreviated to 'No.' in UK English and '#' in American English?
Why the disparity. And why use 'No.'? Is it from the French?
And the hash or pound sign seems a weird choice too, is there a history or any reason involved?
26
votes
4answers
5k views
What does “P.U.” (in reference to stinkiness) stand for?
"What does {holding nose} P.U. mean?" my son asked me tonight. I told him I didn't know, and he laughed and said "It means stinky, Mommy!" Very funny and well said, but it left me wondering.
A ...
1
vote
1answer
17k views
XOXO means “hugs and kisses” but why?
What's the reasoning behind abbreviating hugs and kisses as X's and O's? Some say X is for hugs and O is for kisses, and some say the other way around; but why X and O, and why are they doubled?
2
votes
3answers
342 views
