The Project Gutenberg eBook ofAbbreviations and Signs

The Project Gutenberg eBook ofAbbreviations and SignsThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.Title: Abbreviations and SignsAuthor: Frederick W. HamiltonRelease date: October 1, 2010 [eBook #33828]Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Keith Edkins andthe Online Distributed Proofreading Team athttp://www.pgdp.net*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ABBREVIATIONS AND SIGNS ***

This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: Abbreviations and SignsAuthor: Frederick W. HamiltonRelease date: October 1, 2010 [eBook #33828]Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Keith Edkins andthe Online Distributed Proofreading Team athttp://www.pgdp.net

Title: Abbreviations and Signs

Author: Frederick W. Hamilton

Release date: October 1, 2010 [eBook #33828]

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Keith Edkins andthe Online Distributed Proofreading Team athttp://www.pgdp.net

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ABBREVIATIONS AND SIGNS ***

TYPOGRAPHIC TECHNICAL SERIES FOR APPRENTICES—PART VI, NO. 37

EDUCATIONAL DIRECTOR

UNITED TYPOTHETÆ OF AMERICA

Publishers Mark.

PUBLISHED BY THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATIONUNITED TYPOTHETAE OF AMERICA1918

The use of abbreviations and signs is often a convenience and sometimes a temptation. It is a saving of time and labor which is entirely justifiable under certain conditions, one of which is that all such short cuts should be sufficiently conventional and familiar to be intelligible to any person likely to read the printed matter in which they occur. Scientific and technical signs and abbreviations are part of the nomenclature of the subject to which they belong and must be learned by students of it. General readers are not particularly concerned with them.

The use of abbreviations and signs is partly a matter of office style and partly a matter of author's preference. Certain fairly well established rules have, however, emerged from the varieties of usage in vogue. An attempt has been made in the following pages to state these rules clearly and concisely and to illustrate their application.

Classified lists of the most common abbreviations and signs have been inserted and will be found useful for reference and practice. Sources of further information on these points will be found under the head of Supplementary Reading.

INTRODUCTION

The use of abbreviations is as old as the use of alphabets. In inscriptions and on coins and in other places where room is limited they have always been used in order to save space. The words GUILIELMUS QUARTUS DEI GRATIA REX BRITANNIARUM FIDEI DEFENSOR would hardly go around the circumference of a sixpence, three quarters of an inch in diameter. Therefore, we find them written GUILIELMUS IIII D: G: BRITANNIAR: REX F: D: In the manuscript period abbreviations were very extensively used. This was done partly to lighten the great labor of hand copying and partly to effect a double saving of expense, in labor and in costly material. Certain of these abbreviations were in common use and perfectly intelligible. Unfortunately the copyists did not limit their abbreviations to these, but devised others for their own use much to the discomfort of their readers, especially after the lapse of centuries.

The introduction of printing removed the pressing necessity for the extensive use of abbreviations, but the actual use continued much longer than one would think. The early printed books were reproductions of manuscripts. In some cases the earliest were almost forgeries, and were probably intended to be sold as manuscripts. The types were cut in imitation of the handwriting of some well-known scribe and all his mannerisms and peculiarities were faithfully copied. An incidental result was the expansion of fonts of type by the inclusion of a great number of ligatures and of characters indicating the omission or combination of letters. Habit dies hard, and even after the type founders had freed themselves from the tyranny of manuscript printers continued to follow the habits of the copyist. The saving of material and labor still continued to be considered. Themethods of abbreviation in use in written matter continued to be followed in print even down to the first quarter of the last century.

The result of all this abbreviation was serious and well-founded complaint about the difficulty of reading books thus printed. De Vinne gives the following astonishing example, said to be taken practically at random from a Latin copy of the Logic of Ockham printed at Paris in 1488.

"Sic his e fal sm qd ad simplr a e pducibile a Deo g a e silr hic a n e g a n e pducibile a Deo."

These are the abbreviations for Sicut his est fallacia secundum quid ad simpliciter. A est producibile a Deo. Ergo A est. Et similiter hic. A non est. Ergo A non est producibile a Deo.

The best present usage is to use abbreviations very sparingly. Certain recognized abbreviations are used under certain conditions, but generally only under constraint of limited space.

I. GENERAL RULES.

Use no contractions or abbreviations in any place where there is room to print the words in full.

All legitimate words should be spelled out in full in text matter, but abbreviations are often needed in book work for footnotes and tables and in commercial work, where many brief forms and signs are used which are commonly understood and are as intelligible as words.

Certain special forms of printing such as market and stock reports, sporting news, price lists, directories, telephone directories, and the like make extensive use of abbreviations and signs. These abbreviations are of very limited use and often of only temporary life. They are not intelligible to general readers and should never be used outside the particular form of composition to which they pertain. De Vinne suggests that in the absence of printed authority (many of these abbreviations not appearing in the dictionary lists) every proofreader would do well to keep a manuscript book of unlisted abbreviations which he has to use repeatedly as a means of securing uniformity of form.

II. DATES.

Dates are not generally abbreviated in regular text matter;The Declaration of Independence was signed on July the fourth, 1776.The wordtheis sometimes omitted. The date might be writtenJuly fourthbut neverJuly four.

The abbreviationsult.inst.andprox.with a numeral (meaningthe 25th of last month,the 25th of this month,the 25th of next month) are often used in letters, but should not be used in print unless the literal reproduction of a letter is intended.

Do not usest,d,rd, orthafter a date given in figures;August the sixth, notAugust 6th.

The accepted abbreviations for the months are:

The accepted abbreviations for the days of the week are:

The accepted abbreviations may be used for the months when the day is given, but not when the month and year alone are given;

Jan. 15, 1916, butJanuary 1916.

Some good authorities prefer the order day, month, year;15 Jan., 1916, but this is a matter of office style. Generally speaking the more common order is the better quite regardless of the logical character because it requires less mental effort on the part of the reader. For example in writing addresses English speaking people put the number before the street,59 Wall St., while others put the number after the street,Wall St., 59. This is the logical order, because one goes to the street and then finds the number, but it gives to the American reader a curious sensation of mentally standing on one's head.

There is another set of abbreviations, known as the Dewey dates, as follows:

These may be used in tables and in other places where very great condensation is necessary, but not elsewhere.

In general, much greater abbreviation is permissible in the tables, notes, and other condensed matter than in the body of the text.

III. TIME.

Statements of time should not be abbreviated in ordinary reading matter;at half past two o'clock in the afternoon. If the context makes it clear whether forenoon or afternoon is meant one may write:

at three, at seven o' clock.

This form is used statistically, in enumerations, in tables, and the like.

IV. OTHER ABBREVIATIONS INVOLVING THE USE OF NUMERALS.

The use of numerals and the spelling of numbers in full will be found treated at length in the Printer's Manual of Style (No. 42). As the use of the numeral is in a sense an abbreviation a few general rules may properly be given here.

1. Spell out ages;eighty-two years and four months old.in his eighty-third year.children between the ages of six and fourteen.2. Spell out references to decades;in the early eighties.The formin the '80s, is very objectionable.3. Spell out numbers of centuries, of sessions of Congress, of military bodies, of political divisions, of Egyptian Dynasties, of streets, and the like unless lack of space renders the abbreviation absolutely necessary.Twentieth century.Forty-second Congress.One hundred and first Pennsylvania Infantry.Eighteenth Dynasty.Ninth Ward.Fifth Avenue.In case numerals are used, Egyptian Dynasties are always designated by Roman numerals. Writers on Egypt usually use this form:XVIIIth Dynasty.4. Spell out sums of money when occurring in ordinary reading matter in isolated cases:That press cost five thousand dollars.When several such numbers occur close together, and in all statistical matter, use figures.Those three presses cost $2,500, $3,600, and $5,000.5. Spell out round numbers, that is, approximate numbers in units of 100 in numbers of less than 1000 and in units of 1000 if the numbers are more.An army corps numbers forty thousand men.The Fifth Corps numbers 37,462.There are about five hundred officers.Writefifteen hundredand the like when the phrase is in common use, notone thousand five hundred.6. Spell out all numbers, no matter how high, when they begin a sentence.Four thousand nine hundred and sixty-four soldiers, 109 officers, and 10,000 civilians were surrendered with the fort.7. Spell out in ordinary reading matter all numbers of less than three digits, unless they are of a statistical or technical character or occur in groups of six or more in close connection.There are sixty cities in the United States with a population of 100,000 or over.a ninety-ton engine.five pounds of butter.He lived only two years, one month, and twenty days.He spent 137 days in prison.A ratio of 16 to 1.The death rate varies from 1 in 15 to 1 in 65.Send home:2 pounds of butter1 pound of sugar½ pound of coffee¼ pound of tea2 pecks of potatoes1 pound of salt pork2 pounds of lard1 quart of milkTreat all numbers in collected groups alike if possible, that is use either the long or the short form for all. If the largest contains three or more digits use figures for all.They came in groups of 50, 80, 100, and even 200.8. Express in figures as a rule decimals, degrees, dimensions, distances, enumerations, money, (but see 4 above), percentage, weights, and the like..542, 98°,9 cubic yards,37 miles,24 pages,$1000,6 per cent(or 6% but never six %),175 pounds.

1. Spell out ages;

eighty-two years and four months old.in his eighty-third year.children between the ages of six and fourteen.

eighty-two years and four months old.

in his eighty-third year.

children between the ages of six and fourteen.

2. Spell out references to decades;

in the early eighties.

The formin the '80s, is very objectionable.

3. Spell out numbers of centuries, of sessions of Congress, of military bodies, of political divisions, of Egyptian Dynasties, of streets, and the like unless lack of space renders the abbreviation absolutely necessary.

Twentieth century.Forty-second Congress.One hundred and first Pennsylvania Infantry.Eighteenth Dynasty.Ninth Ward.Fifth Avenue.

Twentieth century.

Forty-second Congress.

One hundred and first Pennsylvania Infantry.

Eighteenth Dynasty.

Ninth Ward.

Fifth Avenue.

In case numerals are used, Egyptian Dynasties are always designated by Roman numerals. Writers on Egypt usually use this form:

XVIIIth Dynasty.

4. Spell out sums of money when occurring in ordinary reading matter in isolated cases:

That press cost five thousand dollars.

When several such numbers occur close together, and in all statistical matter, use figures.

Those three presses cost $2,500, $3,600, and $5,000.

5. Spell out round numbers, that is, approximate numbers in units of 100 in numbers of less than 1000 and in units of 1000 if the numbers are more.

An army corps numbers forty thousand men.The Fifth Corps numbers 37,462.There are about five hundred officers.

An army corps numbers forty thousand men.

The Fifth Corps numbers 37,462.

There are about five hundred officers.

Writefifteen hundredand the like when the phrase is in common use, notone thousand five hundred.

6. Spell out all numbers, no matter how high, when they begin a sentence.

Four thousand nine hundred and sixty-four soldiers, 109 officers, and 10,000 civilians were surrendered with the fort.

7. Spell out in ordinary reading matter all numbers of less than three digits, unless they are of a statistical or technical character or occur in groups of six or more in close connection.

There are sixty cities in the United States with a population of 100,000 or over.a ninety-ton engine.five pounds of butter.He lived only two years, one month, and twenty days.He spent 137 days in prison.A ratio of 16 to 1.The death rate varies from 1 in 15 to 1 in 65.Send home:2 pounds of butter1 pound of sugar½ pound of coffee¼ pound of tea2 pecks of potatoes1 pound of salt pork2 pounds of lard1 quart of milk

There are sixty cities in the United States with a population of 100,000 or over.

a ninety-ton engine.

five pounds of butter.

He lived only two years, one month, and twenty days.

He spent 137 days in prison.

A ratio of 16 to 1.

The death rate varies from 1 in 15 to 1 in 65.

Send home:

2 pounds of butter

1 pound of sugar

½ pound of coffee

¼ pound of tea

2 pecks of potatoes

1 pound of salt pork

2 pounds of lard

1 quart of milk

Treat all numbers in collected groups alike if possible, that is use either the long or the short form for all. If the largest contains three or more digits use figures for all.

They came in groups of 50, 80, 100, and even 200.

8. Express in figures as a rule decimals, degrees, dimensions, distances, enumerations, money, (but see 4 above), percentage, weights, and the like.

.542, 98°,9 cubic yards,37 miles,24 pages,$1000,6 per cent(or 6% but never six %),175 pounds.

.542, 98°,9 cubic yards,37 miles,24 pages,$1000,

6 per cent(or 6% but never six %),175 pounds.

V. GEOGRAPHICAL ABBREVIATIONS.

Geographical names are ordinarily not abbreviated in text matter. The abbreviations in the subjoined lists are commonly recognized and may be used in lists, bibliographical matter, and elsewhere where condensation is desired.

United States and Territories

Foreign Countries

VI. NAMES.

1. AbbreviateSaintin names of persons, cities, streets, churches, etc.St. John Chrysostom,St. Paul,St. Botolph Street,The Church of SS(Saints)Peter and Paul.The wordSaintis now omitted in speaking of the evangelists, the apostles, or the church fathers.The Gospel according to Luke.Paul's doctrine of salvation.Augustine's"City of God."2. In technical matter (footnotes, references etc.) useCo.,Bros., andampersand(&) in firm names and names of corporations.The Rand-McNalley Co.Macmillan & Co.Harper Bros.New York, New Haven, & Hartford Railroad.In text matter not of a technical character it is better not to abbreviate.Harper Brothers have published.It was printed by the Rand-McNalley Company.The romantic history of the East India Company.Do not useampersandexcept with names of persons.John Brown & Co.The Brown Printing and Publishing Co.When railroad names or other long names are abbreviated, use no spaces between the letters.N.Y.N.H. & H.R.R.U.T. & F.C. of A.3. Do not abbreviateUnited Statesexcept:(a) in immediate connection with the name of an officer in the army or navy.Capt. John Smith, U.S.A.Lieut. William Brown, U.S.N.(b) When it is part of the name of an organization.First Regiment, U.S.V.(c) When preceding the name of a ship.U.S.S. Texas.4. Christian names should be spelled in full in text matter, except in an original signature or when following copy in a quotation.The following is a list of the accepted abbreviations of the more common Christian names.Alex.AlexanderFred.FrederickAnd.AndrewGeo.GeorgeAnth.AnthonyHerbt.HerbertAp.AppiusHos.HoseaArch.ArchibaldJas.JamesAug.August, AugustusJona.JonathanBenj.BenjaminJos.JosephC.CæsarJosh.JoshuaCæs. Aug.Cæsar AugustusMatt.MatthewCath.CatherineNath.NathanielChas.CharlesPet.PeterDan.DanielPhil.Philip, PhilanderEben.EbenezerPhile.PhilemonEdm.EdmundReg.ReginaldEdw.EdwardRichd.RichardEliz.ElizabethRobt.RobertEsd.EsdrasSam.SamuelEsth.EstherTheo.TheodoreEz.EzraThos.ThomasEzek.EzekielTim.TimothyFerd.FerdinandWm.WilliamFran.FrancisAlex,Ben,Ed,Fred,Sam, andTomare not always abbreviations and copy should be followed as regards the period. Any unusual abbreviations used by an individual should be followed in giving an original signature.Go. Washington.

1. AbbreviateSaintin names of persons, cities, streets, churches, etc.

St. John Chrysostom,St. Paul,St. Botolph Street,The Church of SS(Saints)Peter and Paul.

St. John Chrysostom,St. Paul,St. Botolph Street,

The Church of SS(Saints)Peter and Paul.

The wordSaintis now omitted in speaking of the evangelists, the apostles, or the church fathers.

The Gospel according to Luke.Paul's doctrine of salvation.Augustine's"City of God."

The Gospel according to Luke.

Paul's doctrine of salvation.

Augustine's"City of God."

2. In technical matter (footnotes, references etc.) useCo.,Bros., andampersand(&) in firm names and names of corporations.

The Rand-McNalley Co.Macmillan & Co.Harper Bros.New York, New Haven, & Hartford Railroad.

The Rand-McNalley Co.

Macmillan & Co.

Harper Bros.

New York, New Haven, & Hartford Railroad.

In text matter not of a technical character it is better not to abbreviate.

Harper Brothers have published.It was printed by the Rand-McNalley Company.The romantic history of the East India Company.

Harper Brothers have published.

It was printed by the Rand-McNalley Company.

The romantic history of the East India Company.

Do not useampersandexcept with names of persons.

John Brown & Co.The Brown Printing and Publishing Co.

John Brown & Co.

The Brown Printing and Publishing Co.

When railroad names or other long names are abbreviated, use no spaces between the letters.

N.Y.N.H. & H.R.R.U.T. & F.C. of A.

N.Y.N.H. & H.R.R.

U.T. & F.C. of A.

3. Do not abbreviateUnited Statesexcept:

(a) in immediate connection with the name of an officer in the army or navy.

Capt. John Smith, U.S.A.Lieut. William Brown, U.S.N.

Capt. John Smith, U.S.A.

Lieut. William Brown, U.S.N.

(b) When it is part of the name of an organization.

First Regiment, U.S.V.

U.S.S. Texas.

4. Christian names should be spelled in full in text matter, except in an original signature or when following copy in a quotation.

The following is a list of the accepted abbreviations of the more common Christian names.

Alex,Ben,Ed,Fred,Sam, andTomare not always abbreviations and copy should be followed as regards the period. Any unusual abbreviations used by an individual should be followed in giving an original signature.

Go. Washington.

VII. TITLES.

1. As a rule titles prefixed to a name should not be abbreviated exceptMr.,Messrs.,Mrs.(FrenchM.,MM.,Mme.,Mlle.),Dr.,Rev., andHon.Professor,Colonel,Generaland some others may be abbreviated when the initials of the name are used;Professor SmithProf. J. T. SmithGeneral GrantGen. U. S. GrantHon.andRev., which are similarly used, need special attention as they are often used wrongly. The following is the correct use;The Reverend John Smith(formal reference)The Rev. John Smith(quotation or correspondence)Rev. Mr. SmithRev. John SmithRev. Smithis wrong and should never be used except as any illiterate form may be used in a quotation. When the names of sovereigns are mentioned only occasionally such names may be given in full.George the Fifth,William the Second.When such names occur frequently, as in historical writing, they may be printed with Roman numerals without a period;George V,William IIOther titles following a name are abbreviated in accordance with the following list.A.B. or B.A.(Artium Baccalaureus) Bachelor of ArtsAbp.ArchbishopA.C.ArchchancellorA.D.ArchdukeA.D.C.Aide-de-campAdjt.AdjutantAdm.AdmiralAdmr.AdministratorAdmx., Admrx.AdministratrixAdv.AdvocateAgt.AgentAldm.AldermanA.M. or M.A.(Artium Magister) Master of ArtsAmb.AmbassadorA.P.A.American Protective AssociationAsst.AssistantA.T.ArchtreasurerAtty.AttorneyB.A. or A.B.Bachelor of ArtsBart.BaronetB.C.L.Bachelor of Civil LawB.D.(Baccalaureus Divinitatis) Bachelor of DivinityB.LL.(Baccalaureus Legum) Bachelor of LawsB.M.(Baccalaureus Medicinæ) Bachelor of MedicineBp.BishopB.R.(Banco RegisorReginæ) The King's or Queen's BenchBrig.-Gen.Brigadier-GeneralBro(s).Brother(s)B.S.Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of SurgeryB.V.(Beata Virgo) Blessed VirginCantab.(Cantabrigia) CambridgeCapt.CaptainCapt.-Gen.Captain-GeneralCash.CashierC.B.Companion of the BathC.C.P.Court of Common PleasC.E.Civil EngineerC.J.Chief JusticeC.M.G.Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. GeorgeCol.ColonelCom.Commander, CommodoreCorp.CorporalCor. Sec.Corresponding SecretaryC.S.Court of SessionsC.S.(Custos Sigilli) Keeper of the SealD.C.L.Doctor of Civil LawD. D.Doctor of DivinityD.D.S.Doctor of Dental SurgeryDea.DeaconDep.DeputyD. F.Defender of the FaithD.M.Doctor of MusicDr.DoctorD.Sc.Doctor of ScienceD.T.(Doctor Theologiæ) Doctor of DivinityD.V.M or M.D.V.Doctor of Veterinary MedicineE.(after titles) EdinburghEsq.EsquireF.D.(Fidei Defensor) Defender of the FaithF.G.S.Fellow of the Geological SocietyFr.FatherF.R.G.S.Fellow of the Royal Geographical SocietyF.R.S.Fellow of the Royal SocietyF.R.S.A.Fellow of the Royal Society of ArtsF.S.A.Fellow of the Society of ArtsG.C.B.Knight of the Grand Cross of the BathG.C.H.Knight of the Grand Cross of HanoverG.C.M.G.Knight of the Grand Cross, Order of St. Michael and St. GeorgeGen.GeneralGov.GovernorGovt.GovernmentG.R.(Georgius Rex) King GeorgeH.B.M.His or Her Britannic MajestyH.M.His or Her MajestyH.M.S.His or Her Majesty's ServiceHon.HonorableH.R.House of RepresentativesH.R.E.Holy Roman EmperorH.R.H.His or Her Royal HighnessH.S.H.His or Her Serene HighnessI.N.R.I(Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judæorum) Jesus of Nazareth, King of the JewsInsp.InspectorInsp. Gen.Inspector GeneralI.O.O.F.Independent Order of Odd FellowsJ.A.Judge-AdvocateJ.P.Justice of the PeaceJ. Prob.Judge of the ProbateJr. or Jun.JuniorK.KingK.A.Knight of St. Andrew, in RussiaK.A.N.Knight of Alexander Newski, in RussiaK.B.King's Bench; Knight of the BathK.B.A.Knight of St. Bento d'Avis, in PortugalK.B.E.Knight of the Black Eagle, in PrussiaK.C.Knight of the Crescent, in Turkey; King's CouncilK.C.B.Knight Commander of the BathK.C.H.Knight Commander of HanoverK.C.M.G.Knight Commander, Order of St. Michael and St. GeorgeK.C.S.Knight of Charles III, in SpainK.E.Knight of the Elephant, in DenmarkK.F.Knight of Ferdinand of SpainK.F.M.Knight of Ferdinand and Merit, in SicilyK.G.Knight of the GarterK.G.C.Knight of the Grand CrossK.G.C.B.Knight of the Grand Cross of the BathK.G.FKnight of the Golden FleeceK.G.H.Knight of the Guelph of HanoverK.G.V.Knight of Gustavus Vasa of SwedenK.H.Knight of HanoverK.J.Knight of St. JoachimK.L.H.Knight of the Legion of HonorK.M.Knight of MaltaK. Mess.King's MessengerK.M.H.Knight of Merit, in HolsteinK.M.J.Knight of Maximilian Joseph of BavariaK.M.T.Knight of Maria Theresa of AustriaK.N.S.Knight of the Royal North Star, in SwedenK.P.Knight of St. PatrickK.R.E.Knight of the Red Eagle, in PrussiaK.S.Knight of the Sword, in SwedenK.S.A.Knight of St. Anne of RussiaK.S.E.Knight of St. Esprit, in FranceK.S.F.Knight of St. Fernando of SpainK.S.F.M.Knight of St. Ferdinand and Merit, in NaplesK.S.G.Knight of St. George of RussiaK.S.H.Knight of St. Hubert of BavariaK.S.J.Knight of St. Januarius of NaplesK.S.L.Knight of the Sun and Lion, in PersiaK.S.M. & S.G.Knight of St. Michael and St. George, in the Ionian IslesK.S.P.Knight of St. Stanislaus of PolandK.S.S.Knight of the Southern Star of the Brazils, Knight of the Sword, in SwedenK.S.W.Knight of St. Wladimir of RussiaKt.KnightK.T.Knight of the ThistleK.T.S.Knight of the Tower and Sword, in PortugalK.W.Knight of William of the NetherlandsK.W.E.Knight of the White Eagle, in PolandL.(after titles) LondonL.C.Lord ChancellorL.C.J.Lord Chief JusticeLeg.LegateLegis.LegislatureLieut.LieutenantLieut.-Col.Lieutenant-ColonelLieut.-Gen.Lieutenant-GeneralLitt. D.(Litterarum Doctor) Doctor of LiteratureLL.B.(Legum Baccalaureus) Bachelor of LawsLL.D.(Legum Doctor) Doctor of LawsM.MonsieurM.A.Master of ArtsMaj.MajorMaj.-Gen.Major-GeneralM.B.(Medicinæ Baccalaureus) Bachelor of Medicine;(Musicæ Baccalaureus) Bachelor of MusicM. C.Member of CongressM. D.(Medicinæ Doctor) Doctor of MedicineMessrs.MessieursMgr.Manager; MonsignorMin. Plen.Minister PlenipotentiaryMlle.MademoiselleMme.MadameM.P.Member of ParliamentM.R.Master of the RollsMr.Mister or MasterMrs.MistressMus. Doc.Doctor of MusicOxon.(Oxoniensis) OxfordP.C.(Patres Conscripti, Conscript Fathers) Senators; Privy CounsellorPh. D.Doctor of PhilosophyPh. G.Graduate in PharmacyP.M.PostmasterP.M.G.Postmaster-GeneralP.R.A.President of the Royal AcademyPres.PresidentProv.ProvostP.R.S.President of the Royal SocietyQ.QueenQ.M.QuartermasterR.A.Royal AcademicianR.E.Royal EngineersReg. Prof.Regius ProfessorRev.ReverendR.M.Royal MarinesR.N.Royal NavyR.N.O.(Riddare of Nordstjerneorden) Knight of the Order of Polar StarR.S.S.(Regiæ Societatis Socius) Fellow of the Royal SocietyRt. Hon.Right HonorableRt. Rev.Right ReverendRt. Wpful.Right WorshipfulR.W.Right WorthyR.W.O.(Riddare of Wasa Order) Knight of the Order of WasaSec.SecretarySec. Leg.Secretary of LegationSerg.SergeantSerg.-Maj.Sergeant-MajorS.J.Society of JesusS.J.C.Supreme Judicial CourtSol.SolicitorSol. Gen.Solicitor-GeneralSr., Sen.SeniorS.R.S.(Societatis Regiæ Socius) Fellow of the Royal SocietyS.T.D.(Sacræ Theologiæ Doctor) Doctor of DivinityS.T.P.(Sacræ Theologiæ Professor) Professor of DivinitySt.Saint, StreetSupt.SuperintendentTr(s).Trustee(s)Treas.TreasurerU.J.C.(Utriusque Juris Doctor) Doctor of both LawsV.C.Vice-ChancellorV.D.M.(Verbi Dei Minister) Preacher of the WordVice-Pres.Vice-PresidentVisc.ViscountW.S.Writer to the Signet

1. As a rule titles prefixed to a name should not be abbreviated exceptMr.,Messrs.,Mrs.(FrenchM.,MM.,Mme.,Mlle.),Dr.,Rev., andHon.

Professor,Colonel,Generaland some others may be abbreviated when the initials of the name are used;

Hon.andRev., which are similarly used, need special attention as they are often used wrongly. The following is the correct use;

The Reverend John Smith(formal reference)The Rev. John Smith(quotation or correspondence)Rev. Mr. SmithRev. John Smith

The Reverend John Smith(formal reference)

The Rev. John Smith(quotation or correspondence)

Rev. Mr. Smith

Rev. John Smith

Rev. Smithis wrong and should never be used except as any illiterate form may be used in a quotation. When the names of sovereigns are mentioned only occasionally such names may be given in full.

George the Fifth,William the Second.

When such names occur frequently, as in historical writing, they may be printed with Roman numerals without a period;

George V,William II

Other titles following a name are abbreviated in accordance with the following list.

VIII. SIZES OF BOOKS.

The shorter names for book sizes are usually written out;

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