Advanced C2 / Lesson 1

SOS – This abbreviation is used in extreme emergencies. If you are stranded on an island or lost in the desert, mountains or jungle, you can write these letters on the sand or dirt, big enough for a rescue plane to see them. They will know it means Save Our Souls.

ID – This is another abbreviation pronounced as individual letters. I is for identity and D is for document.

LOL – is an abbreviation commonly used in electronic text messages: laughing out loud.

FAQ – is an abbreviation found mainly on websites: freguently asked questions.

sci-fi – Abbreviations are also used in Television guides listing various programs and type of movies being shown: a Sci-fi description would mean it is a Science Fiction movie.

UFO – can be pronounced both as an acronym and as individual letters: It stands for unidentified flying object. Commonly understood to describe flying saucers.

SARS – is an acronym made up of a series of words pronounced as a word: Severe Acute Respiratory syndrome. This is the Asian virus that affected so many people throughout the world.

OPEC – is also an acronym pronounced as a word: Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

NASDAQ – is an acronym pronounced as a word commonly seen in the business world or stock exchange: National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation.

PIN – Here is an acronym you see in your automated teller machine (ATM): Please insert your PIN number, Personal identification number.