Why Is Abbreviation Such A Long Word?

The army loves abbreviations, absolutely loves them. The army loves abbreviations as much as dogs love lampposts and chavs love burberry.

We love abbreviations that much that we've come up with an abbreviation for an abbreviation. T.L.A's or three letter abbreviations abound - from the now infamous W.M.D to perhaps the less well known P.O.L (Petrol, Oil, Lubricants). At times we manage F.L.A's and S.L.A's as well.

We are that out of control that we have a manual of abbreviations just in case someone chucks a T.L.A at you that you've never heard before. To give you some idea of the extent of the problem the manual makes the complete three volumes of the Lord of the Rings look like a short story.

So next time your ETA at the FUP is going to be delayed make sure you change your ETD.