FTF and other acronyms

We had to go "up north" for the football playoff game. Since we had a little time to spare we decided to do a little geocaching on the way as there were some new caches placed this week. We were very excited that we were able to claim two FTF's. Of course we had to log one DNF too. Don't know what happened there. But even though it didn't go as planned we couldn't be sure that the cache wasn't there so we ended our note with the usual TFTC. Although TFTH would have been more appropriate in this case. Since all the caches were small we TNLN.

A little lost? Well if you're an experienced cacher you probably understand the jargon we've used here. Each of these acronyms are commonly used by geocachers ("cachers" for short) when they make notes on the online cache log. However, if you don't cache or noone has shared the meaning with you, they're just a bunch of letters. An ancronym is a series of letters that is created by taking the first letter of each word and putting them together to form an abbreviation for a phrase. In this case FTF stands for "first to find" which is a boasting point for most geocachers. It certainly beats having to admit to a "DNF" or "did not find". Although sometimes that's the result of a cache being "muggled" or taken away from its hiding spot by someone who does not support geocaching. TFTC is short for "thanks for the cache" and is a way many people end their online log for that cache. However, some people thank the cache placer for the opportunity for the "hunt" and therefore end with TFTH. Finally TNLN stands for "took nothing left nothing". Since geocaching often involves swapping "swag" (nonperishable goodies and trinkets) we usually log what we took and what we left so future cachers know where the items came from.

Sometimes acronyms are used to shorten names of places, professions, or businesses. For example, if you make an appointment at the ENT desk you probably have something affecting your ear nose or throat. The American Association of Retired People goes by the acronym AARP. When the club I advised went to clean the ditches for the adopt a highway program we had to pick up vests from the local DOT or the Department of Transportation. And in case you didn't know it, Central Lakes College (CLC) is part of MNSCU which stands for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities which includes all colleges in Minnesota that aren't private or part of the U of M system (University of Minnesota). So you see, sometimes acronyms can use initials word for word, sometimes they include real words within the acronym, sometimes skip a word completely or sometimes are comprised by using more than one letter from each word. And of course there are abbreviated versions of words or words that are morphed like blog which is shortened from web log.

The problem that can occur there is that sometimes very different objects can have the same acronym so then it becomes important to know the context of how the acronym is being used. Giving blood for the ARC means you support the American Red Cross. My friend however worked for the American Refugee Commitee which helps survivors of conflicts and disasters around the world (also ARC). If someone has a child who is mentally challenged they may belong to the Association for Retarded Citizens (another ARC). Of course there's also the Appalachian Regional Commission, Airlines Reporting Corporation, and even American River College--yep---ARC, ARC and ARC. So it can get confusing. According to the "acronym finder" website and the "acronym attic" (which searches over 3 million acronyms, abbreviations and intialisms) there are 281 verified uses alone for the acronym ACE, which by the way does include the way we use the acronym on our campus to describe the Academic Center for Excellence.

So no matter how the acronyms are formed they all have one thing in common--they will only be benefical and assist in the communication process if both parties share the intended meaning. So be careful of when and how you use them even if you're excited and can't wait to share the news that you were out geocaching and were FTF!