5 on Friday

This week – 5 acronyms that may tickle your fancy.

Acronyms have become part of life, in our efforts to abbreviate things and say them faster. Trouble is, many have multiple interpretations. Here are a few you may enjoy.

ABCD
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty. Whether this acronym originated in the armed services is not clear. These days it is just as applicable to the civilian work environment, and particularly the need to ensure a healthy work-life-balance. A reminder also for all managers and corporations that people who go the extra mile, beyond normal expectations, are to be treasured and suitably rewarded, not exploited.

ERIC
Emotional Reaction Impedes Control. Acronym version of the rule of ‘counting to ten’ to avert feelings of rage or distress. It is certainly true and generally forgotten in the heat of an argument or other stressful situation, that becoming overly emotional is rarely helpful, and usually damaging to all concerned. The theory and learning relating to Transactional Analysis is especially useful in understanding what causes emotional reactions and how to manage these feelings when you feel them rising up.

FIGJAM
Flip I’m Good, Just Ask Me. Polite version. Superb acronym, with Australian origins apparently, for show-offs and big-heads everywhere. Ideal code for referring to person or behaviour when someone holds a very high opinion of themselves, through self-delusion, arrogance, or because they happen to be held in unreasonably high esteem by a superior. ‘…he’s full of FIGJAM…’

IAMS
It’s About Me Stupid. Elegant and wonderful acronym for many and various situations, especially explaining and understanding human relationships and communications. A great reference point for explaining the ’emotional contract’ and the false notion that people will do what you say just because you tell them so.

NIMBY
Not In My Back-Yard. Term given to a person or group having the audacity to complain about a nuclear waste recycling plant or high security prison being built close to their homes. Gave rise to the term ‘nimbyism’ which is generally used by people to criticise others who are behaving in exactly the same way as would those making nimbyism accusations, were they to find themselves in similar circumstances (this type of person known as a PIGINIMBY – Phew I’m Glad It’s Not In My Back-Yard).

 

What’s your favourite acronym?

Source: Acronym Directory

Share your comments here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

%d bloggers like this: