A Glossary of Survival and Preparedness Acronyms/Terms

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0-9
 
000
The Australian equivalent of the U.S. 911 emergency phone system. Australians “dial Triple O”
0311
The U.S. Marine Corps MOS for Rifleman. Spoken: “Oh Three Eleven” See also: 11B and MOS.
10/.22
A semi-automatic .22 rimfire rifle made by Ruger
10 Meter
The 28.000-to-29.700 MHz Amateur radio band is approximately 10 meters in wavelength so it is called the 10 Meter band. The 10 meter band is adjacent to the Citizen’s Band (27 MHz, or 11 meters), so it has been common practice to modify older 23 channel CB radio to operate in the 10 meter band. See also: CB and Free Band.
100LL
See Avgas.
112
The European equivalent of the U.S. 911 emergency phone system.
11-3-11
The Japanese 9.1 earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011
11B or “Eleven Bravo”
The U.S. Army’s MOS for Infantryman. See also: MOS and 0311(USMC equivalen MOSt.)
1911
See M1911.
24×7
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
24x7x360
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 360 degrees
2A
The Second Amendment
2 Meter or 2M
The 144-to-148 MHz Amateur radio band is approximately 2 meters in wavelength so it is called the 2 Meter band.|
2R
Second Realm.
2WD
Two Wheel Drive
4GW
Fourth Generation War(fare)
4H
4H is a youth club administered by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with the mission of “engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development.” The four “H”s stand for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.
4WD
Four Wheel Drive
4X4
Four Wheel Drive
401(k)
One form of retirement savings account used in the US. See also: IRA
4473
The ubiquitous “yellow form” that is kept on file permanently when a modern firearm is sold by a FFL holder.
5 Series
U.S. Army Engineer manuals start with a 5 prefix, and 5 is also the prefix for US Army Engineer branch MOSes.
550 Cord
See Paracord.
6 Meter
A VHF amateur radio band from 50 to 54 MHz–approximately 6 meters in wavelength, so it is called the 6 Meter band.
90% Silver
See: Junk Silver.
9/11/01
See 9-11.
9-11
The radical Islamic terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001 that took 3,000+ American lives. See also: OBL and WTC
911
The standard US telephone emergency number that connects to police and fire department dispatching. See also: 112.
922(r)
The US Code section that requires seven American-made parts to be included when assembling a semi-auto-rifle on an American-made receiver, with an imported parts kit.
999
The British equivalent of the U.S. 911 emergency phone system.

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A
In most contexts, Amp(s)
AA5
All-American Five. A tube-type radio using five vacuum tubes with 120 volts of AC or DC power. These desings do not use a transformer.
AA6
All-American Six. A tube-type radio using six vacuum tubes with 120 volts of AC or DC power. These desings do not use a transformer.
AA
Depending on context, Antiaircraft or Anachronistic Anomaly.
AAA
Depending on context: American Automobile Association, or Anti-Aircraft Artillery.
A.A. Flu
Asian Avian Influenza (See also: H5N1 and AAV)
AAR
After-Action Report
AAV
Asian Avian Virus
AB
Ammo Bearer. (From a machinegun or mortar squad.)
ABAO
All Bets Are Off (a situation synonymous with TEOTWAWKI.)
ABC
Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (In other contexts: American Broadcasting Company, Australian Broadcasting Company, and fire class A, B, and C. (See Class A, etc.)
ABCDE
Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability (what’s wrong), and Expose (the disability)
ABO
Aviator’;s Breathing Oxygen
ABS
Depending on context, anti-lock brake system, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (black plastic pipe) or asset-backed security .
ABU
Airman Battle Uniform. The U.S. Air Force’s current camouflage uniform. See also:ACU, BDU and Marpat.
AC
Depending on context, Alternating Current or Air Conditioning
ACH
Advanced Combat Helmet
ACLS
Advanced Cardiac life Support.
ACOG
Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (A tritium scope made by Trijicon)
ACP
Automatic Colt Pistol
ACT
American College Test.
ACU
Army Combat Uniform. The U.S. Army’s current “digital” pattern camouflage uniformthat replaced the BDU. See also: BDU and Marpat.
Depending on context Accidental Discharge, Anno Domini , Active Duty, or Anti- Diarrheal.
ADC
Depending on context AIDS Dementia Complex or Animal Damage Control
ADD
Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
AEC
Atomic Energy Commission
AED
Automated External Defibrillator. See also: CASA.
AFAIK
“And For All I Know”
AFB
Air Force Base
AFIO
Association of Former Intelligemce Officers.
AFN
Armed Forces Network.
AFRTS
Armed Forces Radio & Television Service. Also known as “AFN” (Armed Forces Network).
Ag
Depending on context: Silver or contraction for Agriculture.
AG
Depending on context: Assistant Gunner, Attorney General, or Adjutant General.
AGL
Above Ground Level
AGM
Absorbed Glass Mat, a modern and very reliable rechargeable battery design that uses saturated absorbent glass mats instead of gelled or liquid electrolyte. Somewhat more expensive than flooded (liquid) type cells.
Ah
Amp Hour(s). A ratingfro batteries.
AHA
American Heart Association
AHr
Amp-Hour.
AI or A.I.
Depending on context: Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Insemination, or Assistant Instructor.
AID
See: USAID.
AIDS
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome–a disease stemming from HIV. See also: HIV.
AIN
Animal Identification Number. (See also: NAIS.)
AIT
Advanced Individual Training. See also: MOS.
AIV
Avian Influenza Virus(es)
AK
Avtomat Kalashnikov . The gas-operated weapons family invented by Mikhail Timofeyevitch Kalashnikov, a Red Army sergeant. AKs are known for their robustness and were made in huge numbers, so that they are ubiquitous in much of Asia and the Third World. The best of the Kalashnikov variants are the Valmets that were made in Finland, the Galils that were made in Israel, and the R4s that are made in South Africa.
AK-47
The early generation AK carbine that shoots the intermediate 7.62 x 39mm cartridge.
AK-74
The later generation AK carbine that shoots the 5.45 x 39mm cartridge.
AKA
or aka or a.k.a. Also Known As
AKC
Depending on context, American Kennel Club or Australasian Knife Collectors.
AKO
Army Knowledge Online
ALICE
All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment.
Alpha Strategy
Storing extra logistics, as a hedge against inflation, and for use in barter and charity. This term was coined by economics writer John Pugsley. A PDF of Pugsley’s book titled The Alpha Strategy is available for free download.
ALS
Depending on context: Advanced Life Support, Automated Landing System, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
AM
Amplitude Modulation
AMA
American Medical Association or Against Medical Advice.
Ambi
Slang contraction for ambidextrous.
AMC
Depending on context, Army Materiel Command or American Motors Corporation.
AMEDD
Army Medical Department
AML
Anti-Money Laundering. See also: KYC.
American Redoubt
JWR’s relocation plan designed to encourage preparedness-minded families to relocate to the Inland Northwest.
Ammo
Slang contraction for ammunition.
AmRRON
American Redoubt Radio Operators Network.
AMSAT
or AmSat. Amateur Satellite. (Ham radio traffic “piggybacked” on commercial communications satellites.
AMU
Army Marksmanship Unit
AN
Depending on context, Army-Navy (military nomenclature) or Ammonium Nitrate.
Anderson
See Power Pole.
Anthracite
(coal) A hard, compact variety of mineral coal that has a high luster. It has the highest carbon count and contains the fewest impurities of all coals, despite its lower caloric content. Anthracite coal is the highest of the metamorphic rank, in which the carbon content is between 92% and 98%. The term is applied to those varieties of coal which do not give off tarry or other hydrocarbon vapors when heated below their point of ignition. Anthracite ignites with difficulty and burns with a short blue flame, without smoke.
ANWR
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
APO
Army Post Office. See also FPO.
AO
Area of Operations
AONB
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. (UK term.)
AOAP
Army Oil Analysis Program
AOW
Any other Weapon (BATFE classification.)
AP
Armor Piercing (ammunition) or Associated Press (news wire service)
APC
Armored Personnel Carrier. Also the brand name of a manufacturer of short-term backup power supplies.
Apgar
A scoring system used to evaluate the health of newborn babies, typically taken at one minute and five minutes after delivery
APHIS
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that provides tasked with ensuring the health and care of animals and plants.
API
Depending on context, Armor Piercing Incendiary, American Petroleum Institute, Application Programming Interface,or American Pistol Institute (The forerunner of Gunsite, founded by Col. Jeff Cooper.)
APIT
Armor Piercing Incendiary Tracer
APO
Army Post Office
APR
Annual Percentage Rate.
APRN
American Preparedness Radio Net
APT
Depending on context, Army Physical (Fitness) Test or Advanced Persistent Threat computer (hacking.)
AQ
Al Qaeda
AQIM
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
AQT
Army Qualification Target
AR
Automatic Rifle. This is the generic term for semi-auto variants of the Armalite family of rifles designed by Eugene Stoner (AR-10, AR-15, AR-180, et cetera.) See my FAQ on this subject.
AR-7
The .22 LR semiautomatic survival rifle designed by Eugene Stoner. It weighs just two pounds, and when disassembled, all of the parts fit in the buttstock. The stock is foam filled, so the rifle floats.
AR-10
The 7.62mm NATO predecessor of the M16 rifle, designed by Eugene Stoner. Early AR-10s (mainly Portuguese, Sudanese, and Cuban contract, from the late 1950s and early 1960s) are not to be confused with the present-day semi-auto only “AR-10” rifles that are more closely interchangeable with parts from the smaller caliber AR-15.
AR-15
Semi-auto civilian variants of the U.S. Army M16 rifle.
AR-180
A low cost gas piston-operated .223 made primarily from stamped steel. Designed by Eugene Stoner. Early AR-180s (made in the US, England, and and Japan) use a proprietary magazine, some of which do not interchange with AR-15 magazines, because their narrow magazine catch notches were on the opposite side of the magazine. These are not to be confused with the current production AR-180B rifles that can use standard AR-15 or M16 magazines.
ARC
American Red Cross (Nicknamed “The Red Curse” by some SurvivalBlog readers) See also: ICRC.
ARDS
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
ARES
Amateur Radio Emergency Service
ARI
Acute respiratory infection
ARK
Armed Response Kit (ARK)
ARM
Depending on context: Adjustable Rate Mortgage or Anti-Radiation Missile
Arm Chair Commando
An individual that has a one track mind (guns!) and that never trains. Synonymous with: Tommy Tactical, or regarding their fashion style: Mall Ninja
ARNG
Army National Guard
ARRL
American Radio Relay League. See the ARRL web site for details.
ART
Automatic Rangefinding Telescopic sight.
ARVN
Army of the Republic of Vietnam.
ASA
Army Security Agency. The U.S. Army’;s SIGINT branch, now sadly defunct.
ASAP
As Soon As Possible
ASAT
In the context of SurvivalBlog: An anti-satellite missile, laser, or particle beam weapon. In other contexts, the ASAT acronym also stands for All Season All Terrain- ;a civilian camouflage pattern.
ASBO
Antisocial behaviour order. (UK) See also: Yob.
ASE
American Society of Engineers
ASI
Additional Skill Identifier. (The “suffix” for a US Army MOS or OSC.)
ASL
Above Sea Level
ASME
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASPO
Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas. See also: Peak Oil.
ASR
Alternate Supply Route
ASW
Anti-Submarine Warfare
Associated Gas
See: Casinghead Gas.
ATC
Air Traffic Control(ler)
ATF
Depending on context, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms or Automatic Transmission Fluid. See also: BATFE
ATGATT
All The Gear, All The Time, spoken as “At-Gat.” (A motorcycling term with applicability to EDC gear.)
ATL
Attempt to Locate. (Law enforcement term.) See also: BOLO.
ATLS
Advanced Trauma Life Support
ATM
Depending on context Automatic Teller Machine, Asynchronous Transfer Mode, or At The Moment.
ATTP
Army Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures.
ATV
All Terrain Vehicle. Commonly called a “quad” in some regions. See also UATV and Quad
AU
About Uncirculated. (Coin Grade.) See also: MS.
AUG
See Steyr AUG.
Aussie
Slang for Australian. See also: Oz and Ozzie.
Austrian Economics
The school of neo-classical economic thought established in Vienna during the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. It is strongly opposed to Marxism and, more broadly, to the use of economic theories to justify government intervention in the economy. Prominent members included Friedrich Hayek and Ludwig von Mises.
Avalanche Lily
The pen name of Mrs. Rawles, who married JWR in 2010.
Avgas
Aviation gasoline (Leaded, 100 octane, also known as 100LL )
AVR
Automatic Voltage Regulator.
AWA
Africa Wins, Again
AWB
Assault Weapons Ban (The 1994 U.S. Federal ban on magazines over 10 round capacity and certain “assault” [sic} firearms. The law sunsetted in 2004 and is now null and void.)
AWD
All Wheel Drive See also: 4WD.
AWG
Depending on context, American Wire Gauge, the system for indicating the size of electrical wire. (The higher the number, the smaller the wire. Most standard home wiring is #12 or #14 AWG.), or Ad-hoc Working Group (on climate change)..

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B
 
B100
100% Biodiesel
B20
A blend of 80% standard petroleum-based diesel with 20% biodiesel.
B612 Foundation
A nonprofit group dedicated to protecting Earth from asteroids.
BALCS
Body Armor Load Carry System.(the ballistic upgrade of the MOLLE system)
BATMAN
Better Approach To Mobile Ad-hoc Networking. A mesh network solution developed by Open-mesh.org
Ball (ammo)
Depending on context: The round end of a ball-peen hammer, or a full metal jacket bullet. See FMJ.
Ballistic Wampum
Ammunition stored for barter purposes. (Term coined by Col. Jeff Cooper.)
Bananaland
JWR’s generic term for Central America and South America
Band
In analog transmission, the range of frequencies between two defined limits.
BAR
Browning Automatic Rifle.
Bastard Crystal
A radio transmitter frequency controlling quartz crystal that is cut to allow out of band transmission. See also: Free Band.
BATFE
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (a U.S. Federal government taxing agency)
BBB
Better Business Bureau
BBC
British Broadcasting Corporation
BBL or bbl
Barrel.
BBQ
Barbeque
BBS
Bulletin Board System
BCG
Depending on context Bolt Carrier Groups (ARs) or Birth Control Glasses. The latter is a slang acronym used to describe the US military standard issue eyeglasses. These have frames that are “so ugly that you’ll never get married and have kids.” Also sometimes called “Buddy Holley Glasses.”
BCT
Basic Combat Training.
BDC
Bullet Drop Compensator
BDI
Baltic Dry Index
BDU
Battle Dress Uniform. Also called “camouflage utilities” by the USMC. See also: ACU and Marpat.
BEA
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Benadryl
Trade name for diphenhydramine. This drug reduces the effects of histamine release, which is triggered by an immune response. It is a useful adjunct to epinephrine. It will not prevent airway compromise or vascular collapse! See also: Epi.
BFO
Depending on context: Beat Frequency Oscillator (the circuitry in an amateur radio that allows you to hear Morse code as tones), or Blinding Flash of the Obvious. (JWR gives copies of his first novel away as the prizes for his “BFO Awards” to anyone that e-mails a letter or article to SurvivalBlog that includes a particularly brilliant, novel, or useful concept.
BG
Bad Guy
BHM
Backwoods Home Magazine.
BHN
Brinell Hardness Number.
BHO
Depending on context, Bolt Hold Open or Barack Hussein Obama. JWR sometimes jokingly refers to Barack Hussein Obama as “President Bolt Hold Open” because they both share the same acronym. “I think that Bolt Hold Open is a fitting moniker for our sitting President, because a rifle Bolt Hold Open lever is: A.) An Obstruction. B.) Only useful and noticed after the real work has been completed by another apparatus, and C.) A reminder that best is behind us, and that the fun won’t resume until Bolt Hold Open is slapped and disengaged. Coincidentally, the word abhorrent includes BHO.”
BIB
Bug-In Bag. A kit of essentials designed for “hunkering down”, in place. See also: BOB.
Big Sandbox
Generic term for the Middle East
Biochip
See RFID and NAIS.
Biodiesel
An alternative vegetable oil fuel for diesel engines. Also called Greasel. See also: BTL and Dinodiesel
BiPAP or BPAP
Bi-level positive airway. See also: CPAP.
BIS
Bank for International Settlements
Bivvy
Slang for Bivouac.
BK
Buckshot
BKA
Bundeskriminalamt–The German Federal Criminal Police
Black Rifle/Black Gun
Generic terms for a modern battle rifle–typically equipped with with a plastic plastic stock and forend, giving these guns an “all black” appearance. Functionally, however, they are little different from earlier semi-auto designs.
Black Swan
An extreme, unexpected event. This term was popularized by author Nassim Nicholas Taleb. In his books, Taleb asserts that human beings are by their very nature poor judges of risk, because of their Normalcy Bias.
BLEVE
Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion. (Spoken “Blevy”)
BLL
Blood Lead Level.
BLM
Bureau of Land Management (a U.S. Federal government agency that administers public lands)
Blog
A Web Log (Internet On-Line Journal)
BLOS
Beyond Line of Sight.
BLS
Depending on context, Bureau of Labor Statistics or Basic Life Support. See also: ALS.
BLUF
Bottom Line Up Front. (US Army shorthand for statingan important point near the opening of a document.)
BLUFOR
Blue (friendly) forces. Usually applies to military war games. See Also: OPFOR.
BM
Bowel Movement.
BMG
Browning Machinegun. Usually refers to .50 BMG, the U.S. military’;s standard heavy machinegun cartridge since the early 20th Century. This cartridge is now often used for long-range precision counter-sniper rifles.
BMI
Body Mass Index.
BMR
Basal Metabolic Rate.
BMX
Bicycle Moto-cross.
BNC
Bayonet Neill-Concelman. A standard RF connector, with a bayonet-style twist lock, named after its inventor.
BoB
BOB, or B-o-B. Bug-out Bag. Synonymous with G.O.O.D. Kit. See also: BIB, GOOD and INCH.
BOGO
Variously: Buy one, give one, or Buy one, get one. This acronym started out as a form of charity with the Bogo Light campaign. (Where someone that buys a flashlight also provides one as charity to an African villager.) Sadly, this acronym was twisted by Internet markerteers with other companies, who turned it into “Buy one, get one”–nothing more than a 50% off sale, with no charitable giving.
BOL
B.O.L., or B.o.L.: Bug-out Location. Synonymous with retreat.
Bollard
A stout object that is used to confine traffic within or from a given area. These are typically 4 to 6 foot long vertical members made of concrete, steel, or wood set at least 18” in the ground with at least 30” exposed.
BOLO
Be on the Lookout. (U.S. police acronym.) See also: ATL
BOP
Bureau of Prisons.
BoV
or BOV Bug-out Vehicle. Synonymous with G.O.O.D. Vehicle. See also: POV.
BP
Black Powder
BPA
Bisphenol A, This aplastic that can have negative health effects, BPA is leached from some Type 7 plastics including polycarbonates (sometimes marked with the letters “PC” near the recycling symbol) and in epoxy resins,
BRAC
Base Realignment and Closure
Brady Bunch
Sarah Brady and her civilian disarmament gang
Bravo Sierra
See: BS
BRICS
Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. (An informal multinational trading bloc.)
BRM
B asic Rifle Marksmanship
BS
Depending on context: Bachelor of Science, Bit of Schumer, or Barbra Streisand. Sometimes spoken “Bravo Sierra.” Barbra Streisand’s name has become synonymous with lying.
BSA
Depending on context, Boy Scouts of America or Balance of Speed and Accuracy (combat shooting.)
BSD
Berkeley Software Distribution
BSE
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (a.k.a. “Mad Cow” disease) See also: TSE and CWD.
BSN
Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
BTDC
Before Top Dead Center
BTL
Biomass-to-liquids. (Biodiesel.)
BTP
Boston T. Party the pen name of a libertarian writer.
BTU
British Thermal Units
BTW
By The Way
BUIS
Backup Iron Sights
BW
Biological Warfare.
BX
Base Exchange. See also: PX.

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C
 
C1
The Canadian Army’s version of the L1A1.
C2
Command and Control.
C2H5OH
Ethanol. (Ethyl or “Grain” alcohol.) See also: EtOH.
CH3OH
Methanol. (“Wood” alcohol .) Toxic to drink, forms formaldehyde in eyes, causing blindness. Can be absorbed through the skin. Also a suspected carcinogen.
C3CM
Command, Control and Communications Countermeasures
C4
Depending on context: Command, Control, Communications, Computers or Composition 4 (plastic explosive.)
C4I
Command, Control, Communications, Computers & Intelligence
C4ISR
C4, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
C4N
Command, Control, Communications, Computers & Navigation
C7
The Canadian Army’s equivalent of the US M16.
C.A.
Central America
CAD
Computer Aided Design
CAFE
Corporate Average Fuel Economy
CALGLY
Calcium Chloride and Glycerol mixture, used for preserving seeds.
Californication
The tendency of other states to begin to resemble California (lifestyles, culture, politics, gun laws, and so forth.)
Camo
Slang for Camouflage
Can
Common slang for a sound suppressor. See also: Class 3 and Wipe.
CANR
Chemically Assisted Nuclear Reaction. See also: LENR
CAP
In most contexts, Civil Air Patrol. (USAF Auxiliary organization)
CAR-15
See: M4
Carb
Depending on context, slang for Carburetor or Carbohydrate
CARB
California Air Resources Board
Carbine
A short-barreled rifle, originally developed for use by cavalry, but now popular for mechanized infantry. See: AK and M4.
Carrington Event
A naturally occurring EMP-like effect, caused by a large Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) of the Sun. (See also: CME and EMP.)
Carry
and Carry Trade. Carry is defined as the difference between return on securities held and financing costs, and “carry trade” refers to institutions and businesses taking advantage of this differential. A positive/negative carry occurs when the financing cost is less/more than the yield on securities that are being financed. (Definition courtesy of OECD.)
CARVER
Criticality, Accessibility, Recuperability, Vulnerability, Effect, and Recognizability.
CAS
Close Air Support
CASA
Cardiac Arrest Survival Act. See also: AED.
CASEVAC
Combat Casualty Evacuation Care.
Casinghead Gas
Unprocessed natural gas containing natural gasoline and other liquid hydrocarbon vapors produced from an oil well. Also called Wet Gas or Associated Gas. In contrast, dry natural gas usually comes from dedicated natural gas wells rather than oil wells.
Cat
Depending on context, short for Caterpillar (tractor) or Category, Combat Application Tourniquet, or Computed Tomography (“CAT Scan”.)
CB
Citizen’s Band Radio. A HF 2-way transmission band at (27 MHz, or 11 meters) that requires no license for operation in the United States. Some desirable CB transceivers are capable of SSB operation. Originally 23 channels, the Citizen’s Band was later expanded to 40 channels during the golden age of CB, in the 1970s. See also: Free Band and 10 Meter Band.
CBA
Depending on context, Cross Border Authority (military command and control) or Christian Booksellers Association.
CBM
Coal Bed Methane
CBO
Depending on context, Congressional Budget Office, Collateralized Bond Obligation
CBOT
Chicago Board of Trade. See also: NYMEX and COMEX.
CBP
Customs & Border Protection (Division of the U.S. Immigration Service.)
CBR
Chemical, Biological, and Radiological warfare. This acronym has been largely superceded by “NBC”.
CBRNE
Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive. Spoken “Sea-Burn.” See also: CCMRF
CC
Depending on context: Carbon Copy(correspondence) or Common Core (curriculum.)
CCA
Chromated Copper Arsenate
CCC
Depending on context: Civilian Conservation Corps (a 1930s make-work program), California Conservation Corps (a modern make-work program), Captain’s Career Course (U.S. Army officer development), or Commodity Credit Corporation
CCD
Depending on context: Charge Coupled Device (electro-optics) or Colony Collapse Disorder (Beekeeping.) See also: IAPV.
CCL
Concealed Carry License. See also: CHL.
CCMRF
CBRNE Consequence Management Response Force. Spoken “Sea-Smurf”. See also: CBRNE.
CCO
Collateralized Commodities Obligation
CCRKBA
Citizens’ Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
CC&Rs
Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions
CCTV
Closed Circuit Television
CCW
Depending on context: Carrying a Concealed Weapon or Counter-Clockwise. See also: LTC.
CD
Depending on context: Civil Defense, Certificate of Deposit, or Compact Disc.
CDC
Centers for Disease Control
CDER
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
CDIC
Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation (A taxpayer guaranteed bailout fund for banks.) See also: FDIC, FSLIC, and NCUSIF.
CDL
Commercial Driver’s License
CDO
Collateralized Debt Obligation. A form of derivative. See also: CDS and Synthetic CDO.
CDPOC
Credit Derivative Product Company/Companies
CDS
Credit Default Swap. A form of derivative. See also: CDO and Synthetic CDO.
CEB
Compressed Earth Block
CEO
Chief Executive Officer
CEOI
Communications Electronic Operating Instructions. See also: SOI.
CEP
Circular Error Probability. This term is used in a variety of contexts, such as radio direction finding (where it is more correctly rendered elliptical error probability), and in describing the accuracy of nuclear warheads.
CERA
Cambridge Energy Research Associates
CERT
Community Emergency Response Team
CETME
Centro de Estudios T’cnicos de Materiales Especiales. Best known as the maker of the Spanish army’s predecessor of the HK G3 series rifles. Thousands of CETME rifle parts sets were imported into the United States in the late 1990s and re-built into semi-auto-only sporter rifles.
CEWI
Communications, Electronic Warfare, and Intelligence.
CFC
Chlorofluorocarbon. See also: HFC.
CFI
Confidence Factor Index
CFIT
Controlled Flight Into Terrain.
CFM
Cubic Feet Per Minute. Sometimes written SCFM (Standard Cubic Feet Per Minute.)
CFN
Commercial Fueling Network
CFO
Chief Financial Officer
CFR
Depending on contect: Case Fatality Rate, Code of Federal Regulations, or Council on Foreign Relations.
CGSC
Command and General Staff College
Charge Controller
A device that regulates the voltage applied to the batteries from a generator or PV array. A good charge controller is necessary to ensure that batteries reach the maximum charge and have the longest life.
Channelized Areas
In the context of SurvivalBlog, the most likely routes that the Golden Horde will take WTSHTF. Also called Refugee Lines of Drift. See also: Golden Horde and WTSHTF. The Chartist takes a purely technical view towards the market
Chartist
A stock, bond, or commodities analyst that takes a purely technical view towards the markets.
Chartist Gnome
The nickname of a European market analyst that advises JWR.
Cheek Weld
The contact of a shooter’s cheek with the stock of a rifle. For consistent accuracy, the cheek weld must be uniform each time that the shooter shoulders the rifle. A supplementary cheek rest is sometimes needed to obtain correct alignment of the eye with the sights (or scope) with a consistent cheek weld.
Chemlight
Slang for chemical light stick, such as the Cyalume brand.
ChiCom
Chinese Communist.
Chinese Parliament
The open session that typically follows a military operational briefing in some organizations, where everyone involved can speak freely, regardless of their rank, to give their input. (British SAS term.)
CHL
Concealed Handgun License. See also: CCL.
Chrononaut
A time traveler.
CHU
Containerized Housing Unit (a CONEX retrofitted with a door, window, top vent, power cabling, and air conditioning unit–as used by servicemen in Iraq.) Spoken “Chew”
CI/KR
Critical Infrastructure/Key Resource
CI
Counterintelligence.
CIA
Central Intelligence Agency
CID
Criminal Investigation Division
CIB
Combat Infantryman Badge. See also: EIB
CIDRAP
Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (at the University of Minnesota.)
CINOs
Christians in name only.
CIO
Chief Information Officer
Cipro
Short for Ciprofloxacin, an anti-bacterial drug.
Civie
US Military slang for civilian.
CLA
Conjugated Linoleic Acid. A component of raw dairy milk.
Claire Files
The Internet discussion forums formerly hosted by libertarian writer Claire Wolfe. Now called The Mental Militia (TMM).
Class A
Fire extinguishers designed to fight traditional types of combustible materials such as wood and paper products. They are sized by the amount of liquid they hold.
Class B
Fire extinguishers designed to fight fires of combustible liquids such as gasoline, grease, or kerosene. They are sized by the number of square feet of fire they can extinguish.
Class C
Fire extinguishers ardesigned to fight fires of an electrical nature such as wiring, breakers, and outlets. These types of fires pose an electrocution hazard, so the extinguisher must produce a substance that is non-conductive.
Class D
Fire extinguishers are designed to fight combustible metals fires.
Class K
Fire extinguishers are designed to fight cooking fats and oils fires. (Called Class E, in the United Kingdom.)
Class 3
The Federal tax category for Machineguns, short-barreled rifles, shotguns, and suppressors, mandated by the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934. Class 3 guns are not legal in all states. Regardless, there is a $200 Federal transfer tax, fingerprints, and background check required. See also: AOW, BATFE, NFA, SBR, and SBS.
CLENS
Camouflaged Long Endurance Nano-Sensors
CLEO
Chief Law Enforcement Officer
CLO
Collateralized Loan Obligation
CLP
Cleaner, Lubricant, Protectant. A Mil-Spec lubricant, sold under the trade name “Break Free CLP”
CM
Compressed Meals (The U.S. Army’ new alternative to MREs, with a freeze dried entree. These are about 2/3s the size and weight of an MRE.
CMBS
Commercial Mortgage Backed Security/Securities. See also: MBS and RMBS
CME
Coronal Mass Ejection. (Solar flares.) See also: Carrington Event and EMP.
CMP
Civilian Marksmanship Program. (The Federal government agency, formerly called the office of the Director of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM).
cMRSA
Community acquired Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus.
CMU
Concrete Masonry Unit. Commonly called a cinderblock.
CN
Alphachloroacetaphenone. A variety of tear gas that can also induce vomiting if inhaled in high concentrations. See also: CS.
CNC
Computerized Numerical Control
CNG
Compressed Natural Gas. See also GNC.
CNN
Cable News Network
CO2
Carbon Dioxide.
CO
Depending on context: Commanding Officer, telephone company Central Office, Carbon Monoxide, Correctional Officer, or Conscientious Objector.
COA
Course(s) of Action (See also: IPB and IPOE)
COB or C-O-B
Depending on context, Corn-Oat-Barley mix (for livestock), sweetened with molasses (commonly called “Sweet Feed”, “Three Way”, or “Wet COB”). Contingency Operating Base, or “;Close of Business”; as in: “;That report is due by COB today!”;
COBRA
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. A 1985 law that allows someone who works for an insured employer group of 20 or more employees to continue to purchase health insurance for up to 18 months if they lose their job, or if the employer-sponsored coverage is terminated for some reason.
COG
Depending on context, Continuity of Government, or Center of Gravity. See also: COOP.
COIN
Counterinsurgency
COLA
Cost of Living Adjustment.
Combat Tupperware
See: Glock.
ComBloc
Communist Bloc.
COMEX
Commodity Exchange (U.S. precious metals market.)
COMINT
Communications Intelligence.
Comm, Commo
Communications equipment.
COMSEC
Communications Security
Condensation Gasoline
See Drip Oil.
Condition 0
(SA Pistol Carry Condition Code) Ready to fire: A round is in the chamber, hammer is cocked, and the safety off.
Condition 1
(SA Pistol Carry Condition Code) A cartridge is chambered, the hammer is cocked, and the safety is in the up (safe) position. Also known as “cocked and locked” carry.
Condition 2
(SA Pistol Carry Condition Code) A cartridge is in the chamber and the hammer is down.
Condition 3
(SA Pistol Carry Condition Code) The chamber is empty and hammer is down with a full magazine in the pistol. Also known as “Israeli Carry.”
Condition 4
(SA Pistol Carry Condition Code) The chamber is empty, hammer is down and no magazine is in the pistol.
CONELRAD
Control of Electromagnetic Radiation. The now defunct emergency broadcasting system for the United States. In recent years it has been replaced by the Emergency Alert System (EAS). See also: EAS.
CONEX
A CONtinental EXpress shipping container. The standard steel or aluminum international shipping containers used on trucks, railpacks, and on ships.
Usually manufactured in 20, 30, and 40 foot lengths. BTW, they make great weatherproof lockable storage sheds, especially if you weld on a sleeve to protect the padlock from attack by bolt cutters or bullets.
CONOPS
Concept of Operations
Contrapreneur
Someone who foolishly invests in a declining market. (Term coined by JWR in October, 2006.) See also: McMansion and Flipping.
Contrarian Investing
An investing strategy that that run contrary to he popular opinion of the MSM and the Sheeple.
CONUS
Continental United States
COO
Chief Operations Officer
COOP
Continuity of Operations Plan. See also: COG.
Cooper Corners
Col. Jeff Cooper popularized using the “Vauban Principle”, wherein projecting bastion corners would prevent miscreants from being able to approach a retreat’s exterior walls in any blind spots. Retreat building corners with this simplified implementation of a Vauban Star are now called “Cooper Corners” by JWR, in honor of Jeff Cooper.
COP
Combat Outpost.
COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Cord
A cord is a unit of dry volume used in Canada and in the United States to measure firewood. From Wikipedia: “One cord is defined as 128 foot3 ( 3.62 m3), corresponding to a woodpile 8 foot wide x 4 foot high of 4 foot long logs. In the metric system, wood is usually measured in steres or cubic metres: 1 stere = 1 m3 – 0.276 cords.
In the United States, the cord is defined by statute in most states. Wood is also sold by the “face cord” (sometimes called a “rick”), which is usually not legally defined, and varies regionally.”
COSCO
China Overseas Shipping Company.
COSTCO
An American membership “warehouse” type grocery store chain that sells everything from canned hams to home computers. Most items are sold in case lots. See also: Sam’s Club.
COTI
Clip-on Thermal Imaging.
Couple, Coupling
See: EMP.
COWS
Continuity of Web Service (COWS). Acronym coined by James Wesley, Rawles in 2011.
CP
Depending on context Candle Power or Command Post.
CPA
Certified Public Accountant
CPAP
Constant Positive Airway Pressure. (Some sleep apnea patients require a CPAP machine at night.)
CPI
Consumer Price Index
CPO
Depending on context, Chief Petty Officer or Conservation Police Officer
CPR
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CPS
Child Protective Services
CPSC
Consumer Product Safety Commission
CPU
Central Processing Unit
CQ
Depending on context: Charge of Quarters, or the amateur radio code for “Calling any amateur radio station”, or Colloquium Group/Meeting.
CQB
Close Quarters Battle
C&R
Curio and Relic (U.S. Federal firearms legal category, Type 03.)
CRAF
Civilian Reserve Air Fleet.
C-Ration
Combat ration. The U.S. Army canned field rations that were replaced by MREs in the mid-1980s.
CRB
Commodities Research Bureau
CRE
Carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae
Cred
Short for Credential
Credit Spread
The difference in yield between low risk U.S. Treasury bonds and more risky fixed-income securities
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
(vCJD). A degenerative brain disease of cattle and other hooved animals that is transmissible to man. Also called Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer.
CRH
Coin Roll Hunter(s). See: Treasurenet’s Coin Roll Hunting Forum
CRKP
Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae
CRKT
Columbia River Knife and Tool.
CRNA
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
C.R.O.S.S.
Christian Reformed Outreach, South Sudan.
CRP
Conservation Reserve Program. A Federal Government program designed to pay farmers to not grow crops; – leaving their fields fallow. See also: NRCS.
CRS
Corrosion Resistant Steel.
CRT
Cathode Ray Tube.
Crunch
The Crunch. See: WTSHTF.
Crunchies
The humorous U.S. Army tanker’s term from dismounted infantry.
CS
Orthochlorobenzalmalonitrile. A variety of tear gas. See also: CN.
CSA
Depending on context, Community Sustained Agriculture or Confederate States of America.
CSAR
Combat Search and Rescue
CSM
Command Sergreant Major.
CSRS
Civil Service Retirement System
CSS
Cascading Style Sheets
C-Store
Convenience toer. (Slang contraction.)
CT
Depending on context, Counter-Terrorism or Computed Tomography.
CTCSS
Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (also known as Private Line (PL) or Channel Guard). Uses subaudible tones to allow co-channel users to operate without having to hear transmissions directed to other users. “;Private Line”; [Motorola] and “;Channel Guard”; [General Electric] are examples of trademarked names for CTCSS. Newer squelch systems that use digital codes are referred to as “;digital squelch”; as opposed to the sub-audible tones used with the older CTCSS concept.
CTE
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.
CTIS
Central Tire Inflation System
CTR
Currency Transaction Report. See also: Structuring
cu. in.
Cubic Inch
CUCV
Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle (1980s vintage U.S. Army versions of diesel Chevy Blazers and Pickups, currently being sold off as surplus.)
CUF
Care Under Fire,. See also; TCCC.
CUT
Coordinated Universal Time. Also known as Zulu Time or GMT.
CVC
Combat Vehicle Crewman. (Used to designate people and distinctive helmets, and overalls.
CW
Depending on context: Continuous Wave (an operating mode for amateur radio gear, used for Morse Code.), or chemical warfare (NBC defense), or Clockwise (Mechanics and machining.)
C-Wire
Concertina wire.
CWD
Chronic Wasting Disease. See also : Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, BSE, and TSE. CWD is classified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE)
CWP
Concealed Weapon(s) Permit.
CYA
Cover Your Assets

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D
 
DA
Depending on context: Double Action or District Attorney.
DAO
Double Action Only. (The type of pistol action used on the Glock and HK VP-70 pistols.)
DARPA
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (U.S.)
DB
or db. Decibel.
DBA
Doing Business As. (Fictitious business name.)
DB
db. Decibel.
DBDU
Desert Battle Dress Uniform. Also commonly called DCUs.
DC
Depending on context, Direct Current or District of Criminals.
DCI
Director of Central Intelligence
DCM
See: CMP.
DCS
Digital Coded Squelch
DCU
Desert Camouflage Uniform. The common term for the U.S. military uniform that is officially called the Desert Battle Dress uniform (DBDU.)
DD
Depending on context, Detroit Diesel, Department of Defense, or Destructive Device.
DD-214
Department of Defense discharge record (form).
DDS
Doctor of Dental Surgery
DDT
Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane. A potent pesticide that is now banned in many countries.
DE
Diatomaceous Earth
DEA
Drug Enforcement Agency
Decon
Decontamination
Deep Cycling
(or deep discharging): Discharging a battery to 20 percent or less of its full charge. This shortens the life of most types of batteries.
Deep Larder Concept
A pantry stocked with foods and essential oils for a family for 2+ years
DEET
The active ingredient in most modern topical insect repellents.(N,N-Diethyl-meta-Toluamide.)
DEFRA
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs–(the UK’s equivalent of the USDA)
DeltaTeam
See: SFOD-D.
DEQ
Department of Environmental Quality
Det cord
or Detonating cord, Primacord A plastic tube 4 to 7 millimeters in diameter, filled with PETN high-order explosive. Generally used for joining separate explosive charges to make them explode almost simultaneously. See also: PETN.
Deuce Gear
Slang expression for the obsolete LC-1 and LC-2 “ALICE” web gear that was issued by the US military in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
DEVGRU
Naval Special Warfare Development Group, formerly known as SEAL Team 6. Roughly analogous to the US Army’s SFOD-D, See also: SEAL.
DEW
Directed Energy Weapon
DF
Direction Finding
DFP
Depending on contect: Defensive Fighting Position or Dakota Fire Pit.
DFW
Dallas/Fort Worth (metropolitan area, also the designation for the airport.)
DGPS
Differential Global Positioning System
DH
Darling Husband
DHS
Department of Homeland Security (a U.S. Federal government agency)
DHW
Domestic Hot Water
DIA
Defense Intelligence Agency
DIAS
or D.I.A.S. Drop-in Auto sear
DIC
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation. Widespread clotting in the blood vessels, (usually due to poisons and infections) leading to hemorrhage.
Dinodiesel
Diesel fuel oil extracted from petroleum. See also: Biodiesel, SVO, and WVO.
DIP
Die in Place. U.S. Army slang for a suicidal “to the last man” static defense. (Also known as “The Custer Maneuver” or “Custering”.)
DIY
Do It Yourself
Dirty Bomb
A conventional explosive used to propel radioactive materials–designed solely to cause contamination and incapable of reaching critical mass.
DJIA
Dow Jones Industrial Average. A New York stock price index.
DKA
Diabetic Ketoacidosis.
DLAB
Defense Language Aptitude Battery– the “pre-test” for US military personnel applying for foreign language training school.
DLP
Defense of Life and Property
DMA
Day Moving Average (commodity or stock price)
DMSO
Di-Methyl Sulf Oxide. An industrial solvent that is also used as a folk remedy for joint pain.One of its properties is that is a trans-dermal carrier for pharmaceuticals, easily allowing drugs to be transmitted to the bloodstream of an animal or human. DMSO is sometimes used in veterinary medicine.
DMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
DMZ
Demilitarized Zone
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNF
Did Not Finish.
DNR
Depending on context: Department of Natural Resources or Do Not Resuscitate. (The latter is a common clause in Living Wills.)
DNS
Domain Name Server.
DNVT
Digital Non-secure Voice Terminal. Late generation digital keypad-controlled field telephones. The current U.S. military issue is the AN/TA-1042. See also: TA-1 / TA-312.
DOA
Dead on Arrival. Traditionally applied to cadavers, this term is now also used for describing a piece of mail-ordered equipment that doesn’t work.
DOB
Date of Birth
DOD
U.S. Department of Defense. It was more appropriately called The War Department before the onset of political correctness. DOD can also refer to Depth of Discharge – a battery technology ter,
DOE
U.S. Department of Energy (a U.S. Federal government agency)
DOI
U.S. Department of the Interior(a U.S. Federal government agency)
Doomer
The Peak Oil crowd’s term for someone that foresees a chaotic societal collapse when oil supplies get short. See also: Hubbert’s Peak.
Doomstead
Synonymous with survival retreat. (Term coined by SurvivaBlog reader Bois d’;Arc.)
DOT
U.S. Department of Transportation. (a U.S. Federal government agency)
DPDT
Double Pole, Double Throw (electrical switch.)
DPM
Disruptive Pattern Material. The camouflage cloth pattern originally developed for the U.K.’s Royal Marines in the 1960s, and later adopted by the British Army.
Drip Oil
The light oil or hydrocarbon liquids condensed in a natural gas piping system when the gas is cooled. Sometimes also called natural gasoline, condensation gasoline, or simply “;drip.”; Drip oil can be burned like gasoline in most engines.
DRMO
Defense Reutilization Management Office (The U.S. Military’s “auction yard”.) Local military base DRMO offices report to the “;Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service”; or DRMS.
Drop Box
In the context of fuel: A container (usually a large tank); that is used to collect drip oil. In other contexts: A commercial mail box, such as those rented at UPS Stores.
Dry Gas
Depending on context either another name for Casinghead Gas, or generic name for an alcohol-based gas additive used to absorb water. See also: Casinghead Gas.
DSA
D.S. Arms (The D.S. stands for Dave Selvaggio)
DSHEA
Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act
DSL
Digital Subscriber Line
DSLAM
DSL Access Multiplexer
DSP
Digital Signal Processor/Processing
DSS
State Dept. Diplomatic Security Service
DTPA
Diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid
DTRA
Defense Threat Reduction Agency
DTRC
Defense Threat Reduction Center (HQ of the U.S. DTRA.)
DU
Depending on context Depleted Uranium or Ducks Unlimited
DUG
Doom und Gloom. (Acronym coined by JWR.)
DUI
Driving Under the Influence (of alcohol.)
DVD
Digital Video Disc
DWV
Drain, Waste and Vent pipe. Typically black plastic pipe in modern U.S. house construction.
DX
Depending on context: Long distance radio communication (amateur radio), Diagnosis (medicine), or Direct Exchange (military supply system.)

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E
 
E85
A fuel blend that 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline
E911
Enhanced 911. The FCC-mandated capability of cellular phone providers to be able to track the location of their cell phone subscribers.
E100
100% ethanol
EAS
Emergency Alert System.See also: CONELRAD.
EBT
Electroniuc Benefts Transfer. The card (resembling a credit crad) that replaced Food Stamps in the United States.) See also: SNAP.
ECB
European Central Bank.
ECCM
Electronic Counter-Countermeasures
ECM
Depending on context, Electronic Countermeasures (electronic warfare) or Electronic Control Module (automotive electronic ignition systems.)
Economatrix
SurvivalBlog’s volunteer Economic Editor, the trustworthy Cheryl N.
EDC
Everyday Carry. Usually used to refer to pocketknives.
EDIS
Electronic Distributorless Ignition System. (Ford Motor Company terminology for an electronic ignition system.)
EDR
Event Data Recorder. (Commonly called a “Black Box”). Now used in aircraft and automobiles.
EDTA
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Used in chelation therapy.
E&E
Escape and Evasion
EENT
Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat
EEO
Equal Employment Opportunity (anti-discrimination)
EER
Depending on Context: Enlisted Efficiency Report or Extended Eye Relief (Scope, typically used with pistols and “scout” rifles/carbines)
EESA
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. See also: TARP.
EFF
Electronic Frontiers Foundation
EFP
Explosive Formed Projectiles–a.k.a. shaped charges.
e.g.
Exempli Gratia . Latin for “For example”
EGS
Enhanced Geothermal Systems
EHV
Extra-High Voltage
EIB
Depending on context, Expert Infantryman Badge or European Investment Bank. See also: CIB
EID
Emerging Infectious Diseases
EISA
Energy Independence and Security Act (of 2007.)
ELB
Depending on context, Electronic Logbook or Emergency Locator Beacon
ELBV
Enhanced Load Bearing Vest.
ELE
Extinction Level Event
Eleven Bravo
(or 11B) The U.S. Army’s MOS for Infantryman.
ELINT
Electronic Intelligence
Elmer
A volunteer who helps new folks interested in amateur radio. (A mentor or volunteer tutor.)
ELN
Colombian National Liberation Army (“Ejïrcito de Liberaciï Nacional “)
EMC
Electromagnetic Compatibility.
EMCC
Emergency Mass Critical Care.
EMCOMM
Emergency Communications
EMCON
Emission Control
EMD
Electro-Muscular Disruption. The politically correct term for the effect of getting zapped with a Taser.
EME
Earth-Moon-Earth. EME is shorthand for “moon bounce” radio propagation techniques.
EMP
Electromagnetic Pulse. target=_blank

>

Described at Wikipedia. See also: Faraday Cage and TREE.

EMI
Electromagnetic Interference
EMS
Emergency Medical Services
EMT
Depenting on context, Emergency Medical Technician or Electrical Metallic Tubing.
EMT-A
Emergency Medical Technician – Ambulance
EMT-B
Emergency Medical Technician – Basic
EMT-C
Emergency Medical Technician – Cardiac
EMT-CC
Emergency Medical Technician – Critical Care
EMT-D
Emergency Medical Technician – Defibrillator
EMT-FR
Emergency Medical Technician – First Responder
EMT-I
Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate
EMT-P
Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic
EMU
European Economic Union
EMV
Electromagnetic Vulnerability
Encryption
The systematic encoding of a message or bit stream before transmission to prevent unauthorized recipients from understanding it. The process of again rendering the information readable is Decryption.
Enfield
The British Army Enfield Lock arsenal, best known for its Short Magazine Lee-Enfield .303 bolt action rifles that were produced for more than 50 years. These rifles are generically called Enfield (although tehy are properly “Lee-Enfields”)–even those examples produced at other arsenals. Enfield pattern rifles were also produced in Australia, Canada, and India. See also: Ishapore, SMLE, and Sten.
EO
Depending on context Electo-optics, Equal Opportunity, or Executive Order
EOC
Emergency Operations Center
EOD
Explosive Ordnance Disposal
EOF
Escalataion of Force. (See also: ROE.)
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. Federal government agency)
Epi
or Epi-Pen: Trades name for Epinephrine. An injectable drug used for treating anaphylaxis. See also: Benadryl.
EPS
Encapsulated Postscript file format. Can be opened by most Adobe products, including Acrobat Reader
ER
Emergency Room
EROEI
Energy Return on Energy Invested. The ratio of the amount of energy needed to generate a unit of energy from a fuel source. When oil was first produced over 150 years ago the EROEI was 40 (or more) to 1. The oil gushed out of the ground. Just 30 years ago it was as high as 20:1. Today, the oil EROEI is variously reported as 2.5 to 1.2 to 1 for light sweet crude. As Peak Oil occurs, oil shale production is expected to see an EROEI of less than 1. That means it takes more than one energy unit to produce a single unit of energy from the oil shale. Thus, it doesn’;t matter how much it costs, because the extraction operation will have become an energy sink. See also: Peak Oil.
ERP
Effective Radiated Power. (The resulting combined output of a transmitter & an antenna with dB gain factor)
ERRB
Enhanced Radiation Reduced Blast nuclear warhead. Commonly called a Neutron Bomb.
ESA
Economics and Statistics Administration
ESD
Electrostatic Discharge
ESHTF
Economic Schumer Hits the Fan. (See also: WTSHTF and SHTF.)
ESP
Extra-sensory Perception.
ESRD
End-stage Renal Disease.
EST
Eastern Standard Time.
ETA
Depending on context, Estimated Time of Arrival or the Basque terrorist group Euskadi ta Askatasuna. (Which means”;Basque Fatherland and Liberty”; in Euskara, the Basque language.)
ETD
Estimated Time of Departture
ETF
Exchange Traded Fund
EtOH
or ETOH Ethanol. (Ethyl or “Grain” alcohol.) See also: C2H5OH
E-Tool
Entrenching Tool.
ETS
Expiration Term of Service. (The end of a military duty.) See also: PCS.
EU
European Union
Euro
The common currency unit for the European Union. Usually expressed as EU or or €.
EVOO
Extra Virgin Olive Oli.
EW
Electronic Warfare
Ex-pat
Slang contraction for expatriate.

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F
 
F2F
Face to Face
FA
Forward Assist. (A feature on later M16s, AR-15s, and Israeli FAL rifles, designed to push the bolt carrier forward under dusty/dirty conditions.)
Fab
Slang contraction for fabricate.
FAC
Forward Air Controller
FAE
Fuel-Air Explosive
FAIK
“For All I Know”
FAK
First Aid Kit
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
FAL
Fusil Automatique Leger –A Belgian 7.62mm NATO battle rifle (+ clones thereof) See also: L1A1 and my FAQ on this subject.
FALFiles
The web site for FAL and L1A1 owners. See: http://www.falfiles.com/forums/index.php
Fannie Mae
See: FNMA.
Faraday Cage
A shielding enclosure for electronics. See also: EMP and Carrington Event.
FARC
or FARC-EP. Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. (“Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia ârcito del Pueblo “)
FAS
Depending on context Federation of American Scientists or Financial Accounting Standards.
FAS 157
The U.S. general accounting rule that (as of 2008) dictates that banks can no longer conceal Level Three assets. See also Level and. Derivative.
FASB
Financial Accounting Standards Board
FBI
Federal Bureau of Investigation
FBO
Fixed Base Operator. The authorized vendor at an airport that sells aviation fuel and provides services to all the aircraft there. Even large municipal commercial airports have a “;FBO”;. It is the vendor that won the contract to provide services at the airport on an exclusive basis. In rural areas these are sometimes “mom and pop” operations.
FCC
Depending on context Federal Communications Commission (a U.S. Federal government agency) or Food Chemical Codex (USDA).
FCSA
Fifty Caliber Shooters Association. See: http://www.fcsa.org/
FDA
Food and Drug Administration. (A U.S. Federal government agency)
FDE
Flat Dark Earth
FDIC
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (A taxpayer guaranteed bailout fund for banks.) See also: FSLIC, NCUSIF, and CDIC.
FDR
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
FEBA
Forward Edge of the Battle Area
Fed
Slang shorthand for The Federal Reserve–a private banking cartel and the de facto central bank in the United States.
Feds
Slang shorthand for agents of any Federal agency, but most commonly the FBI.
FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (A U.S. Federal government agency) The acronym is also jokingly defined as “Foolishly Expecting Meaningful Aid.”
Ferret
Depending on context: 1.) A post-WWII British armored scout car, made by Daimler, in several variants. 2.) A shotgun shell that fires a CS tear gas liquid capsule that vaporizes on impact. 3.) The Ferret .50 single-shot .50 BMG rifle that utilizes an AR-15-type lower receiver.
FET
Depending on context: Field Effect Transistor or Federal Excise Tax.
FFA
Future Farmers of America.
FFE
Fuel Flame Expedients
FFG
“Two F” Black power, normally used in rifles with a bore of .50 to .75 caliber
FFFG
“Triple F” black power, used in most single shot pistols and percussion revolvers. It is also popular for rifles up to .50 caliber.
FFFFG
“Four F” black power. Can be used for priming the pans of flintlocks.
FFFFFG
“Five F” extra fine black power–the preferred granulation for priming the pans of flintlock rifles.
FFL
Federal Firearms License. Typically a Type 01.
FFV
Flexible Fuel Vehicle. (Gasoline engine vehicles that are E85 Ethanol compatible.)
FFTAGFFR
Food for Thought and Grounds for Further Research (Acronym coined by JWR)
FG
Coarse grain black power, normally used only in shotguns and cannon.
FHLM
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. Nicknamed”Freddie Mac”. A Federally-chartered corporation that purchases residential mortgages, securitizes them, and sells them to investors; this provides lenders with funds for home buyers. See also FNMA
Fiat Currency
Any paper currency that is issued at will, without convertibility to precious metals or other tangibles. (From the Latin “Let it be done.”)
FICA
Federal Insurance Contributions Act. (The Social Security program tax.) See also: SSA.
FIFO
First In, First Outâ??used for food storage rotation.
FIJA
The Fully Informed Jury Association
FinCEN
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. A division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury tasked with stopping money laundering.
FIRE
Finance, Insurance and Real Estate–Dubbed the “paper pushing” side of the economy by Charles Hugh Smith
Flipping
The process of buying and then quickly reselling an asset in a rising market, to turn a profit. This is often accomplished with borrowed money. See also: Contrapreneur and McMansion.
FLIR
Forward Looking Infrared
FLOT
Forward Line of Troops
FM
Depending on context, Field Manual or Frequency Modulation)
FMA
Filipino Martial Arts
FMEA
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
FMJ
Full Metal Jacket. (A bullet that does not expand when it strikes tissue.) Also called “ball:” ammunition by the U.S. Military.
FML
Fully Metal Lined (description of the later generation Glock pistol magazines.
FMS
Foreign Military Sales
FN
The Belgian arms maker Fabrique Nationale de Herstal.
FN-49
or FN49 A post-WWII semi-auto rifle produced by FN, with a 10 round magazine fed from stripper clips. Variants were made in several calibers including 7×57, 8×57, and .30-06. A later arsenal conversion made in Argentine was made in .308, with detachable 20 round magazines.
FN/FAL
or FN-FAL See: FAL
FNMA
Federal National Mortgage Association. Nicknamed: “Fannie Mae”. A Federally-chartered enterprise owned by private stockholders that purchases residential mortgages and converts them into securities for sale to investors; by purchasing mortgages, Fannie Mae supplies funds that lenders may loan to home buyers. See also FHLM
FOB
Forward Operating Base
Fobbit
Someone who is stationed at a Forward Operating Base (FOB.)
FOIA
Freedom of Information Act
FOID
Firearms Owner Identification
FOMC
Federal Open Market Committee. A 12-member committee which sets interest rate and bank credit policies for the Federal Reserve banking cartel.
Force Multiplier
A capability that, when added to and employed by a combat force, significantly increases the combat potential of that force and thus enhances the probability of successful mission accomplishment. (US DOD definition.)
Force Recon
Force Reconnaissance is the U.S. Marine Corp’s elite commando force.
FOREX
The foreign exchange market, where currencies are traded.
FORS
Front, [the] opposite. Rear, [the] same. A pneumonic memory aid for the directions that firearms iron sights must be adjusted, to correct a point of aim error.
Forward
(contract) The original and basic derivative contract, a forward transaction is an agreement to buy or sell a certain quantity of an asset or commodity in the future at a specified price, place, and time.
FPE
Foot Pounds of Energy.
FPO
Fleet Post Office. (U.S. Navy/USMC/USCG postal service.) See also: APO.
FPS
or fps. Feet Per Second. See also: MPS.
FPV:
First Person View. See also RPV and UAV.
FRA:
Forward rate agreement. An agreement to borrow or lend a certain amount of principal at a specified interest rate and time. In other contexts: rsvarets Radioanstalt (The Norwegian equivalent of the NSA.)
Frag
Short for fragmentation or fragment. In one context a “frag order” or “FRAGO” is an abbreviated military operations order.
Freddie Mac
See: FHLM.
Free Band
The bands for CB radio frequencies just above and just below the official CB channels. Also known as illicit “out of band transmission.” Use of the Free Band is illegal. See also: Bastard crystal.
Free Gun
A tripod-mounted weapon that is detached from its T&E mechanism, for greater flexibility of fire. See also: T&E.
FRN
Federal Reserve Note(s)
FRS
Family Radio Service (A type of UHF-FM walkie-talkie that requires no license in the U.S.) See also: GMRS and MURS.
FSB
Federalnaya Sluzhba Bezopasnosti . The main successor of the KGB.
FSBO
For Sale By Owner
FSK
Frequency Shift Keying. See also: PSK.
FSLIC
Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (A taxpayer guaranteed bailout fund for thrift institutions.)
FSP
Free States Project
FSNH
Free State New Hampshire
FSR
First Strike Ration
FSW
Free State Wyoming
FTE
Failure to Eject
FTF
Failure to Feed
ft/lbs
Foot/Pounds. A measure of force, defines as “the amount of energy expended when a force of one pound acts through a distance of one foot along the direction of the force.” See also: Joules.
FTR
Factory Thorough Repair.The British Commonwealth term for an arsenal re-build of a firearm.
FTRSS
Flexible Temperature Range Sleep System. Modular synthetic sleeping bags made by Wiggy’s.
FTX
Field Training Exercise.
FUBAR
Fouled up beyond all recognition.
FUD
Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt
Futures
(Contract) An agreement to buy or sell a given quantity of an asset or commodity in the future at a specified price, place, and time.
FWIW
For What Its Worth

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G
 
g
Gravity. (Earth’s gravity = 1g. Acceleration and deceleration forces are expressed in terms of g (“gees”).
G1
The West German Army’s version of the FN/FAL rifle. G1 parts kits have been used in recent years for building semi-auto only FALs in the U.S.
G3
The West German Army’s selective fire battle rifle of the 1960s/70s/80s. Its civilian (semi-auto only) equivalent is the HK91
G10
The “Group of 10” industrialized nations.
G20
Depending on context Glock Model 20 (10mm pistol) or the “Group of 20” industrialized and developing nations.
GAAP
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Galil
See: AK.
Garand
See: M1.
GATA
Gold Anti-Trust Action (GATA.org)
GBP
Great Britain Pound
GBS
Group B Streptococcus
GCA
or GCA-68. The Gun Control Act of 1968. The law that first created FFLs and banned interstate transfers of post-1898 firearms, except “to or through” FFL holders.
GCC
Gulf Cooperation Council
GD
A persistent nerve gas developed for the Soviet army.
GDP
Depending on context, Gross Domestic Product or Generally Dumb Public.
GEK
Gasifier Experimenter’ Kit
Gen
Generation
Gen 1
First Generation
Gen 2
Second Generation
Gen 3
Third Generation
Genny
Slang for generator.
GEOINT
Geospatial intelligence. See also: GIS
Genset
Generator Set. (U.S. military terminology.)
GFCI
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt.
GFI
Ground Fault Interrupt.
GGE
Gasoline, gallon equivalent
GGGGG
God, Gold, Guns, Groceries, and Ground (farm land). Acronym coined by Richard “Doc” Sweeny.
GHB
Get Home Bag.
Ghillie
or Ghillie Suit. A ragged-texture camouflage suit, originally developed by Scottish game wardens.
G.I.
or GI Depending on context, General inductee (draftee), Government Issue (equipment specifications), or Gastro-Intestinal tract. See also: U.S.G.I.
GIC
Geomagnetically-Induced Currents (caused by solar storms.)
GIS
Geographical Information Systems. See also: LIP.
Glazis
Globalist Socialists. Coined by Lawrence Rayburn.
Glock
The popular polymer-framed pistol design by Gaston Glock of Austria. Also derisively known as “Combat Tupperware “ by their detractors, because they were the first maker to ship their pistols in a plastic box with a snap lid. Glocks are a favorite of gun writer Boston T. Party.
GM
Depending on context General Motors or Genetically Modified.
GMAW
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW). See also: MIG.
GMC
General Motors Corporation
GMD
Geomagnetic Disturbance.
GMHB
Get Me Home Bag.
GMO
Genetically Modified Organism
GMRS
General Mobile Radio A licensed UHF-FM 2-way radio service. Service. See also: FRS and MURS.
GMT
Greenwich Mean Time. The time at Greenwich, England. Also known as Coordinated Universal Time and Zulu Time. Note that Eastern Standard Time (EST) in USA is minus (-) 5 hours fromGMT.
GNC:
Gaz naturel comprimï. See also: LNG and CNG.
GNIS
Geographic Names Information System. An excellent resource when you are looking for specific areas on a map. See: http://geonames.usgs.gov/ See also: USGS.
GOA:
Gun Owners of America
Goblin
The Late Jeff Cooper’s generic term for criminals.
Gold Cup
The target version of Colt’s M1911. Has fully adjustable target sights, a tapered barrel and a tighter barrel bushing than standard M1911s.
Golden Horde
In historical contexts, the Mongol Horde of the 13th Century, but in the context of SurvivalBlog, the anticipated large mixed horde of refugees and looters that will pour out of the metropolitan regions WTSHTF. See also: WTSHTF.
G.O.O.D.
Get Out of Dodge–the author’;s generic acronym for leaving the big city in a hurry WTSHTF. (Acronym coined by JWR). I also use the term “;bug out”; and the British soccer term “;take the gap.”; The term Get Out of Dodge kit is synonymous with Bug Out Bag. See also: BOB, INCH, and WTSHTF.
Goretex
A patented breathable fabric.
GP
Depending on context General Practice (physician) , General Purpose, or General Principal
GPA
Grade Point Average.
GPH
Gallons Per Hour (usually in the context of diesel marine engine fuel specifications.)
GPM
Gallons Per Minute (usually in the context of water wells or springs.)
GPO
Government Printing Office.
GPS
Global Positioning System
gr
Grain. The measure of mass used for firearm projectiles (bullets) is grains. A grain is a unit of lead mass measurement, roughly equal to 1/3 of a carat or 65 MG. 16 grains is roughly equal to 1 gram. Also used as a measure of mass for smokeless powder (nitro-cellulose) propellant.
Gray
The standard unit of measurement for radiation exposure, that replaced Roentgen, Rem, and Rad. Conversion from Grays are as follows. See also: Rad.
1 Gy = 100 rad
1 mGy = 100 mrad
1 Sv = 100 rem
1 mSv = 100 mrem
Greasel
See: Biodiesel
Greenlight
or Greenlighted: The Hollywood and Bollywood term for the “go” decision to produce a movie.
Grid Down
An extended period of time when the power grid is non-functional
Grid Up
A situation where the national power grids stay functional except for brief interruptions.
Group Therapy
Slang term for full automatic fire. See also: Rock-‘n-roll.
GSA
General Services Administration
GSE
In most contexts: Government-Sponsored Enterprise. American GSEs include Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Bank System. They are indirectly backed by the full faith and credit of the Federal government, which inevitably means taxpayer money. In other contexts: grapefruit seed extract.
GSM
Global System for Mobile Communications
GTAW
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), See also: TIG.
GTG
Good To Go
gtt
Drop. (Medicinal dropper measure, from the Latin gutta .) The plural (drops ) is written gtts
GU
Genitourinary
Gunsite
The firearms training school in Arizona founded by Col. Jeff Cooper.
GVW
Gross Vehicle Weight
GWB
George Walker Bush
GWOT
Global War on Terror

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H
 
H2H
Human to human (disease transmission), or hand-to-hand (combat.)
H5N1
The CDC’s designation for one of the current strains of the Asian Avian Flu Also called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). See my article on the subject: https://survivalblog.com/asianflu/
Hadji
Slang for an Iraqi native-born resident.
HAHO
High Altitude, High Opening. A military parachuting technique.
HALO
High Altitude, Low Opening. A military parachuting technique.
Ham
(A slang term for an amateur radio operator. It is not an acronym and therefore should not have all the letters capitalized (HAM” , as is often seen in print.).
HARM
High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile
Haole
The Hawai’ian word for Anglos.
Hardened
(electronics) See: EMP.
Hard Money
Currency that is either redeemable in precious metals, or issued in the form of precious metals.
Ha-Shem, Hashem
Hebrew for “His Name.” My Jewish friends use it in reference The Creator. (They consider it disrespectful to use His name directly.)
Hazmat
HazMat, or HAZMAT: Hazardous Material(s)
H-BAR
Heavy Barrel.
HBOT
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
HD
or H.D. Heavy Duty.
HDL
High-Density Lipoprotein. Commonly called “good cholesterol”. See also: LDL.
HDPE
High Density Polyethylene is used in milk, juice and water containers in order to take advantage of its excellent protective barrier properties. Most five gallon “food grade” buckets are made from HDPE.
HDR
Humanitarian Daily Ration
HDTV
High Definition Television
HEI
High Energy Ignition. (Patented by General Motors.)
Helicopter Ben
A derogatory nickname for Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. In 2002, when the word “deflation” began appearing in the business news, Bernanke gave a speech about deflation. In that speech, he mentioned that the government in a fiat money system owns the physical means of creating money. Control of the means of production for money implies that the government can always avoid deflation by simply issuing more money. (He referred to a statement made by Milton Friedman about using a “helicopter drop” of money into the economy to fight deflation.) Bernanke’s critics have since referred to him as “Helicopter Ben” or to his “helicopter printing press”. In a footnote to his speech, Bernanke noted that “people know that inflation erodes the real value of the government’s debt and, therefore, that it is in the interest of the government to create some inflation.” (Definition courtesy of Wikipedia.)
Heller
The DC v. Heller US supreme court decision in June, 2008 affirmed that the “right to keep and bear arms” is an individual right of all citizens.
Helo
Short for helicopter.
HELOC
Home Equity Line of Credit
HEMP
High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse. See also: EMP.
HEPA
High Efficiency Particulate Air (Filter). In the context of SurvivalBlog, I refer to HEPA filters used to trap the dust from the air pumped into fallout shelters. Some of the best (and most expensive) HEPA filter systems are made by Luwa of Switzerland.
HERF
Depending on context High Energy Radio Frequency, or Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Fuel
HERO
Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance
HERP
Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Personnel
HESCO
The maker of a modular ballistic protection bastion used by military organizations. These are normally filled with soil, sand, or gravel.
HEU
Highly Enriched Uranium
HF
High Frequency
HFC
Hydrofluorocarbon. HFCs are now often being used as replacements for Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), because they are thought to be less damaging to the Earth’s ozone layer.
hh
or HH. Hands High. The abbreviation for the unit of measurement for horses, donkeys, ponies, et cetera. One hand equals four inches.
HHC
Headquarters and Headquarters Company
HHS
Health and Human Services
High Acid
Foods that have a high acid content that inhibits spoilage.
High Cap
High Capacity. Usually refers to firearms magazines that hold 11+ cartridges. The more correct term is full capacity.
HIIT
High Intensity Interval Training
H.I.P.S.
Hide In Plain Sight. This often refers to urban survival or the construction of discreet hiding places. (Acronym coined by JWR.)
Hitlery
JWR’s nickname for Hillary Rodham Clinton
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus. See also: AIDS.
HK
Heckler und Koch, the German gun maker
HK91
Heckler und Koch Model 91. The civilian (semi auto-only) variant of the 7.62 mm NATO G3 rifle.
HMG
Heavy Machinegun.(Such as the M2 Browning .50 Caliber.)
HMI
Helio-Seismic Imager. (Solar observatory.)
HMMWV
High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, also commonly called a Humvee, or in civilian trim, a Hummer.
HMR
Hornady Magnum Rimfire.
HOA
Homeowners association. Sometimes called a landowners association (LOA)
Hoplophile
Someone that likes firearms.(Variation of a term coined by Col. Jeff Cooper.)
Hoplophobe
Someone that fears firearms. (Term coined by Col. Jeff Cooper.)
Hotel Sierra
Aviator lingo for “Hot Stuff!”
H.P
or h.p., HP Depending on context: Horsepower, hollow point (bullet), High Power (as in High Power Rifle Target Competition) or Hi Power, as in Browning P-35 Hi Power 9 mm pistols.
HPAI
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Called “high path” in epidemiologist slang. See also: LPAI and H5N1
HPBT
Hollow point boat tail (bullet)
HPM
High Power Microwave. In most contexts, this refers to microwave beam weapons.
H&R
Harrington & Richardson. An American gunmaker.
HR
Human Remains. In other contexts, Human Resources.
HRC
Hillary Rodham Clinton
HRT
Hostage Rescue Team. (FBI). Often spoken “Hurt Team.”
HSA
Health Savings Account
HSS
High Speed Steel (Machining term.)
HT
Handheld Transceiver or Handi-Talkie –The name that has become generic for a small hand-held radio transceiver, of any brand, and operating on any band.
HTF
(Schumer) Hits the Fan.
HTH
Hope This Helps. (E-mail and text messaging acronym.)
HTTP
Hypertext Transfer Protocol
Hubbert’s Peak
The presumed peak in oilfield production that is expected to occur +/- 2015. See also: LATOC.
HUD
Housing and Urban Development (U.S. Federal government agency)
HUMINT
Human Intelligence
HVAC
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.
HVACR
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
Hydrometer
An instrument for measuring the density of liquids in relation to the density of water. Used to indicate the state of charge in lead-acid cells by measuring the specific gravity of the electrolyte. Also used in commercial food canning.

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I
 
IA
Immediate Action
IANSA
International Action Network on Small Arm). The umbrella lobby group for all the anti-gun groups at the United Nations.
IAPV
Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus. A disease linked to honeybee Colony Collapse Disorder. See also: CCD
IAW
In Accordance With
IBA
Interceptor Body Armor–the current U.S. Military issue Kevlar body armor. The base vest weighs 6 pounds. The front and rear trauma plates are additional 6 pounds each. Additional shoulder armor and groin protectors add even more weight.
IBC
Iintermediate bulk container. Commonly called a palletized tank or tote.
IBD
Depending on context; Israeli Battle Dressing of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. See also: IBS
IBO
International Bowhunting Organization.
IBS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IC
Depending on context Integrated Circuit, Independent Contractor, or Internal Combustion.
ICBM
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
I.C.E.
Depending on context Institute for Christian Economics (Founded by Dr. Gary North), or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (a Division of the DHS), or “;In Case of Emergency”;.
ICF
Insulated Concrete Form. (House construction method.)
ICL
Depending on context Implantable Contact Lenses or In-rush Current Limiter. (In the latter context, an ICL is a thermistor circuit, typically used to” soften” the current that a radio receives on start-up.) See also: NTC.
ICRC
International Committee of the Red Cross/Red Crescent. See also: ARC.
ICS
Depending on context, Industrial Control Systems (See also: SCADA) or Incident Command System (See also: FEMA)
ICU
Intensive Care Unit
I&D
Incision and Drainage (Surgical procedure.)
ID
or I.D., i.d. Depending on Context: Identification or Inside Diameter
IDF
Depending context, Israeli Defense Force or Indirect Fire
IDI
Indirect Injection (diesel fuel engines).
IDIQ
Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity
IDPs
Internally Displaced Person(s)
IDPA
International Defensive Pistol Association
i.e.
Id Est . Latin for “That is”
IED
Improvised Explosive Device
IEDTF
Improvised Explosive Device Task Force
IEEE
Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers
IER
Intermediate Eye Relief (Scope, typically used with “scout” rifles/carbines)
IEW
Intelligence and Electronic Warfare
IEWCS
Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Common Sensor
IEW&S
Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors
IF
Intermediate Frequency. (Radios.)
IFAK
Individual First Aid Kit
IFF
Identification Friend or Foe
IFR
Instrument Flight Rules. See also: VFR.
IFV
Infantry Fighting Vehicle. See Also: M2 Bradley.
IG
Depending on context, Instructor Greg (who teaches “Tac Tuesday”), or Inspector General
IIFS
Individual Integrated Fighting System.
IIRC
If I Recall Correctly
ILBE
Improved Load Bearing Equipment used by the U.S. Marines.
IM
Depending on context, Instant Messenger or intramuscular (drug injection).
IMAHANH
If Momma Ain’t Happy, Ain’t Nobody Happy.
IME
Institute of Makers of Explosives
IMF
Depending on context, International Monetary Fund or Interplanetary Magnetic Field
IMHO
In My Humble Opinion
IMINT
Imagery Intelligence
IMO
In My Opinion
IMP
Individual Meal Pack. A field ration–tthe Canadian equivalent to an MRE.
IMT
Individual Movement Technique(s)
INCH
I’m Never Coming Home (kit). An “INCH” kit is the gear that you would take in the event of a worst case, wherein you would only have one trip “Out of Dodge.” See also BOB, GOOD, WTSHTF, and INCH.
ING
Iraqi National Guard
The Insider
The nickname of SurvivalBlog’s source inside the investment banking community.
In-Town Retreat
A retreat inside or adjoining town limits that depends on some local infrastructure. See also: Isolated Retreat.
Inverter
A device that converts DC electricity (anywhere from 12 to 600 VDC) to AC electricity (typically 120/240 VAC.)
IOI
Items of Interest
ION Region
The remote arid region around the conjunction of the Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada state lines.
IOU
“I Owe You”. An informal note of indebtedness, usually without any interest charged.
IP
Internet Protocol
IPB
Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield. See also: COA and IPOE
IPCC
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
IPO
Initial Public (stock) Offering.
IPOE
Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment. See also: COA and IPB
IPSC
International Practical Shooting Confederation. Spoken: “Ipsy” (to rhyme with “Gypsy”.).
IQ
Intelligence Quotient
IR
Infrared
IRA
Depending on context: Individual Retirement Account or Irish Republican Army. See also: 401(k).
IRR
Depending on context: Internal Rate of Return (bonds and CDOs) or Individual Ready Reserve (U.S. military.)
IRS
Internal Revenue Service (a U.S. Federal government taxing agency)
Isolated Retreat
A privately owned stronghold designed to be almost entirely self-sufficient and self-contained. Also, often called a Remote Retreat. See also: In-Town Retreat.
ISAF
International Security Assistance Force
ISB
Interact System B. The Dodge/Cummins Diesel term for their proprietary fuel injection systems.
ISBN
International Standard Book Number.
ISDA
International Swaps and Derivatives Association
Ishapore
The Indian Army arsenal, best known for its 7.62mm NATO variant of the Enfield bolt action rifle. See also: Enfield.
ISID
International Society for Infectious Diseases
ISR
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
ISS
International Space Station
ISTAR
Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance
IT
Information Technology
ITM
In-Theater Modification
IUD
Intrauterine Device
IV
or i.v. Intravenous
IVND
Identify, Villify, Nullify, Destroy. (Acronymcoined by Steve Quayle.)
IWB
Inside-the-waistband (pistol holster design) See also: OWB
IWBA
International Wound Ballistics Association
Izzy
Slang for Israeli

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J
 
JASBORR
Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy. (A variation on an acronym coined by Richard Daughty, who writes under the pen name The Mogambo Guru.) The JASBORR is also sometimes called the Flaggermus Grotte .
JBLM
Joint Base Lewis-McChord. (Formerly, Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base, Washington.)
JBT
Jack Booted Thug
JDAM
Joint Direct Attack Munition is a laser guidance kit that converts unguided “dumb” bombs into all-weather smart munitions.
JHP
Jacketed Hollow Point (ammunition)
JIC
Just In Case
JIT
Just In Time (invenory control system). See also: Kanban and LSC.
JMHO
Just My Humble Opinion
Joules
A measure of force. See also: ft/lbs.
JP4
High grade aviation kerosene.
JPFO
Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership
JSP
Jacketed Soft Point (ammunition)

Junk” Silver
1964 or earlier mint date circulated U.S. silver dimes, quarters, or half dollars with little or no numismatic value. These coin have a silver content of 90%.
JWR:
James Wesley, Rawles (The primary author/editor of SurvivalBlog. You can assume that all feature articles and any comments that are not under a byline posted at SurvivalBlog were wrirten by JWR.)

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K
 
K-1
“Water Clear” grade Kerosene
K9
Canine
KADE
The acronym used as a mnemonic memory aid, for the fat-soluble vitamins Vitamins K, A, D, and E. It is important to avoid overdosing any of these vitamins!
Kalashnikov
See: AK.
Kali, Kalifornia
California. See also: PRK.
Kanban
The Japanese term for a Just In Time (JIT) inventory control system. See also: JIT amnd LSC.
KBR
Kellogg, Brown and Root.
KD
Known Distance
KE
Kinetic Energy (Ballistics.)
KEPS
Knee and Elbow Pads.
Kevlar
A woven synthetic material developed by Dupont, now widely used in body armor and helmets.
KGB
Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti . Committee for State Security. Now defunct, the Soviet KGB has been succeeded by the Russian FSB. See also: FSB.
Keynesian
Those who believe in the socialistic economic theories of John Maynard Keynes. Keynesians advocate government intervention, or “demand-side management” of the economy, ostensibly to achieve full employment and stable prices.
KG
or kg. Kilogram
KI
Potassium Iodide
KIO3
Potassium Iodate
KHz
Kilohertz
KIA
Killed In Action.
Killer Caravans
Kurt Saxon’;s term for Rover Packs.
KISS
or K.I.S.S. “Keep it Simple, Stupid!”
KJV
King James Version of The Bible
Klick
Slang for Kilometer (km)
KLM
Outside of the context of the Dutch airline, KLM was an American ham radio and antenna manufacturer, named afer its founders Ken Holladay (K6HCP), Leland “Mel” Farrer (K6KBE), and Mike Staal (K6MYC).
Kludge
or Kluge. Slang for an expedient “crude, but effective” fix to a problem. Spoken “klooj”. An ugly fix ix often described as “kludgy.”
km
Kilometer
KP
Kitchen Police.
KPC
Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)
KR
Key Resource. See also: CI/KR.
KSAs
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.
KT
or Kt. Kiloton. Most commonly used in describing the yield of nuclear weapons.
Kva
Kilo Volt Amp. This term describes power in a relationship of thousands of volts (voltage) and amperage.
KW
or Kw. Kilowatt
KWh
Kilowatt Hours. One KWh is one thousand watts acting over a 1 hour period.
KYC
Know Your Customer.
KYPD
Keep Your Powder Dry

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L
 
L1A1
The British and Australian “Inch” measurements versions of the metric FAL Rifle. Also known as the SLR (Self-Loading Rifle.) See my FAQ on this subject.
LAV
Light Armored Vehicle
LAW
Light Anti-Tank Weapon
LBE
Load Bearing Equipment. A generic name for military style suspenders or vest used for carrying magazine pouches, canteen, pistol holster, et cetera. Also called Web Gear, or in some cases Deuce Gear.
LBO
Leveraged Buyout
LBV
Load Bearing Vest.
LC-1
Load Carrying, Type 1. (U.S. Army Load Bearing Equipment, circa 1970s to 1990s.)
LCD
Liquid Crystal Display.
L&D
Labor and Deliver. (Childbirth.)
LD
Lunar Distance
LDA
Linera Danger Area. (Such as a road or railroad.)
LDL
Low-Density Lipoprotein. Commonly called “bad cholesterol”. See also: HDL.
LDPE
Low Density Polyethylene is used in grocery shopping bags and trash bags. Not all LDPE is “food grade.” See also: HDPE.
LDS
The Latter Day Saints, commonly called The Mormons. (It the opinion of JWR they have flawed doctrine but a great family food storage program.)
LDT
Depending on context: Light Duty Truck, Light Displacement Tonnage, or Lowest Dose Tested.
LED
Light Emitting Diode
LE
Law Enforcement
LENR
Low Energy Nuclear Reaction. See also: CANR
LEO
Depending on context: Law Enforcement Officer, “Law Enforcement Only” (product sales restriction), or a Low Earth Orbit satellite.
LER
Long Eye Relief (Scope, typically used with pistols and “scout” rifles/carbines)
Level 1 Asset
Under US banking general accounting rules, Level 1 Assets are investments such as stocks and bonds. See also FAS 157 and Derivative.
Level 2 Asset
Under US banking general accounting rules, Level 2 Assets investments include some mortgage-backed securities. See also FAS 157 and Derivative.
Level 3 Asset
Under US banking general accounting rules, Level 3 Assets are obscure and exotic investments such derivatives. See also FAS 157 and Derivative.
LFP
Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP.) A battery technology that is superior to NiMH.
LGD
Livestock Guardian Dog or Large Guardian Dog
Li
Lithium
LIA
Little Ice Age
LIBOR
London Interbank Offered Rate
LIC
Low Intensity Conflict
LiFePO4
See: LFP
Lines of drift
See: Channelized Areas.
LIP
Land Information Planning (LIP). See also: GIS
LLC
Limited Liability Corporation
LLDPE
Linear Low-Density PolyEthylene
LLNL
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
LMG
Light Machinegun.(Such as the M249 SAW.)
LNG
Liquefied Natural Gas. See also: GNC.
LOA
Depending on context Length, over all. (Sailing ship term.) or Landowner’s Association See also: HOA.
LOC
Level of Conciousness.
LOL
Laughing out loud.
LOS
Line of Sight. Many communications technologies require an unobstructed path between transmitter and receiver, as in microwave radio, satellite communications, and laser/infrared optical communications links.
Low Acid:
Foods that have little acid and therefore can contain food poisoning bacteria if poorly processed.
LOX
Liquid Oxygen.
LP
Depending on context: Liquid Propane (fuel), Long Playing (record album), Line Pair (night vision scopes), or Lumbar Puncture (Spinal tap).
LPA
Log Periodic Antenna
LPAI
Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI). Called “low path” in epidemiologist slang. See also HPAI and H5N1
LPCs
Leather Personnel Carriers (A humorous reference to boots.)
LPG
Liquefied Propane Gas.
LPI
Depending on context: Low Probability of Intercept (radios) or Lines Per Inch (gun checkering)
LPM
or lpm. Liters Per Minute
LP/OP
Listening post/observation post: Usually the same position, used for observation in daylight hours and for listening and use of Starlight devices at night. See also: Starlight
LR
Depending on context: Lactated Ringers (Or Ringer’s Lactate) an IV support fluid. or Long Rifle (as in .22 LR rimfire.)
LRA
Locked Rotor Amps. The peak load (on start up) of a device with a compressor (such as an air conditioner.)
LRP
Long Range Patrol (See also: MCW/LRP)
LRRP
Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol
LRRS
Long Range Reconnaissance and Surveillance
LSA
Depending on Context, Lubricant, Small Arms, or Logistics Support Area
LSAP
Large-scale asset purchases. The “in house” name for Quantitative Easing, as used by the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department.,
LSB
Lower Sideband. One of the two “;single side bands”; that can be selected on a suitably-equipped radio transceiver. See also “;SSB”; and “;USB”;.
LSC
Lean Supply Chain.
LSD
Depending on context: Low self discharge (batteries) or Lysergic acid Diethylamide (an illicit hallucinogenic drug.)
LSE
Depending on context: London Stock Exchange or London School of Economics.
LSV
Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) See also: NEV
LTA
Laryngeal Tracheal Airway
LTC
Depending on context: Lieutenant Colonel or License to Carry. See also: CCW.
LTCM
Long-Term Capital Management. The infamous derivatives hedge fund that went bankrupt in 1999. LTCM had only about $4 billion in net asset value, with assets totaling over $100 billion but they had about $1.4 trillion in derivatives bets on the table when the house of cards collapsed.
LVC
Laser Vision Correction.
LZ
Landing Zone.

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M
or m. Meter
M1 Garand
The U.S. Army’s primary battle rifle of WWII and the Korean conflict. It is semi-automatic, chambered in .30-06, and uses a top-loading 8 round en bloc clip that ejects after the last round is fired. This rifle is commonly called the Garand. (After the name of its inventor.) Not to be confused with the U.S. M1 Carbine, another semi-auto of the same era, which shoots a far less powerful pistol-class cartridge.
M1A1 Abrahms
The United State’;s current main battle tank, with a 120mm cannon.
M1 Carbine
The U.S. Army semi-auto carbine issued during WWII and the Korean conflict. Mainly issued to officers and second echelon troops such as artillerymen, for self-defense. Shoots .30 U.S. Carbine, an intermediate (pistol class) .30 caliber cartridge. More than six million were manufactured, and several hundred thousand were released as surplus by the DCM in the 1960s. See also: M2 Carbine.
M1A
The civilian (semi-auto only) version of the U.S. Army M14 7.62mm NATO rifle. See my FAQ on this subject.
M14
U.S. Army issue 7.62mm NATO selective fire battle rifle. These rifles are still issued is small numbers, primarily to US Army designated marksmen and as US Navy deck rifles. The civilian semi-auto only equivalent is the M1A. See also: M21.
M16
U.S. Army issue 5.56mm NATO selective fire battle rifle. The current standard variant is the M16A2 that has improved sight and three shot burst control. The civilian semi-auto only equivalent is the AR-15.
M1911
The Model 1911 Colt semi-auto pistol (and clones thereof), usually chambered in .45 ACP. See my FAQ on this subject.
M2 Bradley
The U.S. Army’s current tracked APC.
M2 Carbine
The selective fire variant of the U.S. M1 Carbine.
M21
The match grade sniper version of the U.S. Army M14 7.62mm NATO rifle
M203
The current U.S. Army issue 40mm grenade launcher. These single-shot launchers are mounted beneath the barrels of some M16 rifles and M4 carbines.
M240B
The current U.S. Army issue 7.62 mm NATO belt fed light machinegun.
M4
U.S. Army issue 5.56mm NATO selective fire carbine. (A shorter version of the M16 rifle, with a 14.5” barrel and collapsing stock.) Earlier issue M16 carbine variants had designations such as XM177E2 and CAR-15.)
M4gery
(Spoken “Em Forgery”) Civilian (semi-auto only) version of the U.S. Army issue 5.56mm NATO carbine. (Typically with a 16” barrel instead of the military issue 14.5” barrel–to meet the U.S. 16” minimum rifle barrel length requirement–and a collapsing stock.)
M60
The semi-obsolete U.S. Army issue 7.62 mm NATO belt fed light machinegun. It utilized some design elements of the German MG-42 LMG.
M9
The U.S. Army issue version of the Beretta M92 semi-auto 9mm pistol.
M&A
Mergers and Acquisitions
MAC
Depending on context, Military Airlift Command or Military Armament Corporation. (The latter was the original manufacturer of the Ingram M-10 submachinegun–commonly called a “MAC-10”, although that nomenclature was never used by the company.)
MAD
Mutually Assured Destruction. (Global nucllear war.)
Mag
Depending on context, Mutual Assistance Group, or short for magazine, magnum, or magnesium.
MAG
Depending on context, Marine Amphibious Group or Mutual Assistance Group.
Mag Dump
Expending an entire magazine of ammunition rapidly–in either semi – or full-automatic fire. Not a recommended tactic!
MAG-LITE
A popular American brand of sturdy flashlights with a machined aluminum casing.
maH
Mil-Amp Hours (Battery capacity rating.)
MAIG
Mayors Against Illegal Guns.
Mall Ninja
Someone that values style over substance. See also: Arm Chair Commando
MAM
Military Age Male
MAP
Minimum Advertised Price
MAPP
Methylene Acetylene Polypropylene – a welding gas.
MARC
Meal, Alternative Regionally Customized. An MRE-equivalent originally developed for WOT prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
MARPAT
MARine PATtern. The U.S.M.C’s new “digital” pattern camouflage uniform, replacing the BDU. See also: ACU and BDU.
MARS
Military Affiliate Radio System
MASCAL
Mass Casualty
MASINT
Measurement and Signature Intelligence.
MAST
Modernized Appropriate Sustainable Technology. Describes rebuilt, restored, updated, and modernized old technology from times past that frequently still closely resembles the original from the past but also incorporates modern knowledge, craftsmanship, technology, and/or materials to make it more functional and efficient – technology that can still be repaired, rebuilt, and/or totally manufactured new by one or more of the various highly skilled and specialized cottage industries within your community or region This may include cottage industries and highly skilled craftsmen and technicians in nearby communities that are within your commuting distance. The MAST acronym was coined by Paul Olson.
MAT
Depending on context, Motion Activated Transmitter or Military Air Transport.
MBITR
Multi-Band Inter/Intra Team Radio (AN/PRC-148)
MBR
Main Battle Rifle
MBS
Mortgage Backed Security/Securities. See also: CMBS and RMBS
MBT
Main Battle Tank
MCD
Millicandela, the unit of measure commonly used to describe LED brightness. 1000 millicandela equals 1 candela (CD). The Candela is a measure of how much light is produced as measured at the light source.
M-C-C-Ls
Murdering Commie Cannibal Looters (Coined by JWR)
MacGyver
or MacGyvered. To improvise, using reading available household materials. (Term derived from the television series MacGyver.)
M-ATV
Mine Resistant, Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle. A variety fo MRAP, manufactured by Oshkosh.
McMansion
The derogatory term used for a large, outwardly ostentatious house built on a small lot. See also: Contrapreneur and Flipping.
MCW/LRP
Meal, Cold Weather/Long Range Patrol (MCW/LRP)
M.D.
or MD. In most contexts, Medical Doctor
MDMP
Military decision-making process
MDR-TB
Moderately Drug Resistant Tuberculosis. See also: XDR-TB
ME
Muzzle Energy (Ballistics.)
MEDCAP
Medical Civic Action Programs .
Medevac
Medical Evacuation. (Typically via helicopter.)
Meds
Medications
MEK
Methyl ethyl ketone
MELIOS
Mini Eye-Safe Laser Infrared Observation Set (AN/PVS-6)
Memsahib
The late Mrs. Rawles, 1964-2009, RIP, In God’s Loving Arms
Meprolight
A maker of Tritium-lit sights and scopes
Meth
A contraction for methamphetamine.
METT-TC
Mission,+Enemy,+Terrain,+Troops+Time Available+Civilians
MEW
Mortgage Equity Withdrawal.
MFC
Military Fuel Container. The standard 20 liter plastic fuel can that replaced the traditional five gallon steel “Jerry” or “Blitz” can, for US military organizations. These new containers are commonly called “Scepter” cans, after the name of their main manufacturer.
mg
Milligram
Mg
Megagram
MG
Depending on context, milligram or machinegun.
MGTEOTWAWKI
Multi-Generational The End of the World as we Know It. (A derivation of the TEOTWAWKI acronym coined by Mike Medintz) (Spoken “;Tee-ought-walk-ee”;).
MHSA
Mine Safety and Health Administration
MI
or M.I. In most contexts: Military Intelligence. In the context of Robert A. Heinlein’s fictional writings: Mobile Infantry.
MIA
Missing In Action.
MICH
Modular/Integrated Communications Helmet
MIG
Metal Inert Gas (welding.) Also called Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
Mil
Short for milliradians. A milliradian is an angular unit of measure that just happens to equal one yard at 1000 yards and 1 meter at 1000 meters. Used in some optics, such as “Mil Dot” rifle scopes.
MILES
Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System. Laser tag for grunts.
Military Crest
A position on a hill or mountain that is near the summit but low enough to avoid be seen “skylined” when standing.
Mil-Dot
A type of telescopic rifle sight scope reticle with precisely sized and positioned black dots spaced along the center of both the horizontal and vertical crosshairs. These dots allow accurate range estimation.
MIL-SPEC
Military specification. (A product made to the demanding standards of military organizations.)
Milsurp
Slang acronym for military surplus.
MIM
Metal Injection Molding
Mini-14
A 5.56mm NATO semi-auto carbine made by Ruger.
MIRV
Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicle. See also: RV.
misc.survivalism
The Usenet newsgroup dedicated to survivalist topics (It has now sadly degenerated into endless flame wars.)
MISO
Military Information Support Operations.
MIT
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MITL
Man in the Loop.
ML
Milliliters.
MLM
Multi-Level Marketing
MLO
Military Liaison Officer
MLR
Main Line of Resistance
MLS
Multiple Listing Service (Real estate.)
MMG
Medium Machinegun.(Such as the M240.)
mmHg
Millimeters of Mercury (Measure of barometric pressure.)
MOA
Minute of Angle (1.047” at 100 yards)–a measurement of rifle accuracy)
MOAB
Mother of All Bailouts (Acronym coined by JWR in March, 2008.)
MOBEX
Mobilization Exercise.
Moderator
See: Suppressor
Mods
Modifications
MOE
Measures of Effectiveness, MagPul Original Equipment. (Depending on context.)
MOI
Mechanism of Injury
MOLLE
Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment
Molon Labe
Greek for “Come and Take [It]” –the rallying cry of the modern Second Amendment Movement. Also the title of a novel by Boston T. Party.
Money Pit
The Memsahib’s beloved saddle horse.
Monoculture
A local or regional agricultural economy that is dependent on a single crop. (Such as corn in some parts of the Midwest.)
MOOC
Massive Open Online Course
MOP
Measures of Performance
MOPE
Management of Perception Economics
MOPP
Mission Oriented Protective Posture
MOS
Depending on context, Military Occupational Specialty or Metal Oxide Semiconductor (microcircuits). See also: ASI and OSC.
MOSFET
Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor.
Mosin-Nagant
(“Vintovka Mosina “) A sturdy bolt action rifle that first saw service in Czarist Russia and later in the Soviet Union, China, Finland, and several other nations, up until the late 1940s. Mosin-Nagants are now available in large numbers as quite affordable military surplus in the United States and Canada. These rifles and carbines are chambered in the powerful, rimmed .30 caliber 7.62x54r cartridge. This cartridge has more energy than .30-06.
Mouse Gun
Derisive term for a rifle chambered in 5.56mm NATO/.223 Remington. (JWR prefers .308 Winchesters.) See my FAQ on this subject.
MOUT
Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain. See also: OBUA
MP3
A popular MPEG-basd file compression format used for audio and video.
MPG
or m.p.g. Miles per gallon.
MPH
or m.p.h. Miles per hour.
MPI
Magnetic Particle Inspection
MPPT
Maximum Power Point Tracker
MPS or Mps
Meters Per Second. See also: FPS.
MRAP
Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle. AP is a There are several classes of MRAP, inluding the , BMRV, JERRV, RG33, MRUV, M-ATV, and MRAP II Cougar. .See also: M-ATV.
MRE
Meal, Ready to Eat (U.S. Army field rations) a.k.a.: “Meals Rejected by Ethiopians”, “Meals Rarely Eaten” and “;Three lies for the price of one”;â??viz., “;It isn’;t a meal, it’;s not ready, and you can’;t eat it.”;) See also: CM.
MREA
Midwest Renewable Energy Association
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MROD
Manual Reverse Osmosis Desalinator
MRSA
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
MS
Mint State (Coin Grade.) See also: AU.
MSA
Depending on context Mine Safety Administration or Metropolitan Statistical Area
MSSA
Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus Aureus
MSD
Muscular-Skeletal Disorders.
MSDS
Material Safety Data Sheet(s). Used in US industry to identify toxic or otherwise dangerous materials.
MSG
Monosodium Glutamate
MSSA
Military Style Semiautomatic. The term used in New Zealand to designate paramilitary-looking rifles or shotguns.
MSM
Depending on context, Mainstream Media or Methylsulfonylmethane, an organosulfur compound with the formula (CH3)2SO2.
MSR
Main Supply Route
MSRA
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (bacteria)
MSRP
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
MST
Mountain Standard Time.
MSW
Modified Sine Wave (inverrter.)
MT
or Mt. Megaton. Most commonly used in describing the yield of nuclear weapons.
MTBE
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether. A toxic chemical used to oxygenate gasoline. MTBE now contaminates the groundwater in most of California.
MTBF
Mean Time Between Failures. See also: UMTBF.
MTOE
Modified Table of Organization & Equipment
MTP
Multi-Terrain Pattern. It is a variant of Crye Multicam. The latest issue UK camouflage uniform pattern, which is replacing the DPM pattern. See also: DPM.
MTTR
Mean Time to Repair
MTV
Medium Tactical Vehicle (Steyr 5 Ton 6×6)
MUF
Maximum Usable Frequency
Mugabestan
A derisivenickname for Zimbabwe.
Multicam
The versatile civilian camouflage pattern that was recently adopted as standard for use by the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. . See also: MTP.
MURS
Multi Use Radio Service. This a VHF 2-way radio service that does not require a license. See also: FRS and GMRS.
MV
Muzzle Velocity (Ballistics.)
MVPA
Military Vehicle Preservation Association
MWP
Medieval Warm Period
MWR
Morale, Welfare and Recreation
MZB
Mutant Zombie Biker

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N
 
N95
A typical N95 mask is a lightweight respirator that covers just the nose and mouth and provides decent protection from viruses such as influenza. The N95 designation means that the mask blocks about 95 percent of particles that are 0.3 microns in size or larger. This is larger than the dimension of most viruses, but most viruses are carried through the air on particles of dust, saliva, skin, or mucous, which are much larger than 0.3 microns.
N/A
Not Applicable
N.A.
North America
NACL
or NaCl. Sodium Chloride–table salt (In some contexts, a saline IV solution.)
NAEP
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Periodic public school tests in reading, mathematics, science, writing, U.S. history, civics, geography, and the arts.
NAFTA
North American Free Trade Agreement.
NAIS
National Animal Identification System. This scheme will use RFID biochips. See The Memsahib’s article on the subject. See also: RFID.
Nanny State
The collective weight of legally-mandated actions and conditions on the conduct of average citizens. JWR cites California and New Jersey as typifying the Nanny State mentality, with regulations on everything from haircut specifications to compulsory attendance for Kindergartners
NAR
National Association of Realtors.
NASA
National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
NASD
National Association of Securities Dealers
NASDAQ
National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation(s)
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Natural Gasoline
See Drip Oil.
Slang for navigation.
Navigation Aids. (Aviation term.)
Net Asset Value (Investing.)
NBC
Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical warfare. See also: CBR.
NBCE
Nuclear, Biological, Chemical, and Explosive
NBG
Northern Bahr el Gazahl State. (A region of South Sudan.)
NCO
Non-Commissioned Officer
NCOIC
Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge
NCSS
National Cooperative Soil Survey
NCUSIF
National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. See also: FDIC and FSLIC.
ND
Negligent Discharge
NDA
Non-disclosure agreement
NEO
Near-Earth Object
NET
No Earlier Than. See aslso: NLT.
NEV
Neighborhood Electric Vehicle. See also:; LSV.
NFA
National Firearms Act. See also: AOW, BATFE, Class 3, SBR, and SBS.
NFORBRES
Net Free or Borrowed Reserves (NFORBRES)- a key Federal Reserve statistic on available bank reserves.
NFP
Natural Family Planning.
NFPA
National Fire Protection Association
NG
Deoending on context, Natural Gas or National Guard
NGA
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency or Next Generations Arms (gun maker)
NGC
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation. An independent professional numismatic coin grading service. See also: PCGS and Slab.
NGIC
National Ground Intelligence Center
NGO
Non-Government Organization. (Such as a private charity.)
NHS
National Health Service (in England and some Commonwealth countries)
NiCd
Nickel Cadmium (rechargeable batteries)
NICS
National Instant Check System. (The US firearms purchasing database for FFL holders.) See also: FFL.
Night vision
See Starlight.
NIJ
National Institute of Justice (Sets technical standards for body armor.)
NICS
National Instant Check System.
NiFe
Nickel Iron (Batteries)
NiMH
Nickel Metal Hydride (rechargeable batteries)
NIMS
National Incident Management System
NIMSS
Not in My Solar System
NINJA
No Income, No Job or Assets
NIPP
National Infrastructure Protection Plan. (See also: DHS.)
NKJV
New King James Version of The Bible
NLOS
Non-Line of Sight
NLP
Neuro-Linguistic Programming
NLT
No Later Than. See aslso: NET.
NMCI
Navy and Marine Corps Internet
nmi
Nautical Miles
NNEMPW
Non Nuclear Electro Magnetic Pulse Weapon
NOAA
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (A U.S. Federal government agency, best known for supplying weather data)
NOD
Depending on context, Notice of Default or Night Observation Device (See: Starlight.)
NOLA
New Orleans, Louisiana
NOLS
National Outdoor Leadership School
Nomagram
A scale for measuring nuclear weapons effects and radiation dissipation
Nomex
A trade name for Dupont’s Aramid Nylon fiber fabric that is resistant to burning. Because of its properties, Nomex material is often used in aviation flight suits
NONEL
Non-Electric Blasting Cap (Traditional fuse type cap)
NORAD
North Aerospace Defense Command
NOS
Depending on context: Network Operating System (packet radio), New Old Stock (merchandise), or Nitrous Oxide(engine modification)
NOTAM
Notice to Airmen.
NP
Nurse Practitioner
NPK
Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. Expressed numerically on garden fertilizer bags.
NPOA
Natural Point of Aim
NPR
National Public Radio. (or “National Pravda Radio”, as it is called by some of its detractors.)
NRA
National Rifle Association
NRA-ILA
National Rifle Association-Institute for Legislative Action
NRC
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NRCS
National Resources Conservation Service (formerly called the Soil Conservation Service. Part of the USDA.) See also: CRP and USDA.
NREMT
National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
NRO
National Reconnaissance Office
NRP
National Response Plan
NRR
Noise Reduction Rating (Used for ear plugs and ear muffs.)
NSA
National Security Agency
NSAID
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflamatory Drug
NSF
Depending on context, National Sanitation Foundation or National Science Federation.
NSN
National Stock Number
NSPD
National Security Presidential Directive
NSSF
National Shooting Sports Foundation
NSTDC
Nano Silver-Titanium Dioxide Coating (NSTDC)
NTC
Depending on context National Training Center (Fort Irwin, California), or Negative Temperature Coefficient –typically in reference to In-rush Current Limitier thermistors. See also: ICL.
NTSB
National Transportation Safety Board
NTU
Nephalometer Turbidity Unit of measurement used in a key USEPA water quality standard.
NVA
North Vietnamese Army
NVD
Night Vision Device
NVG
Night Vision Goggles
NVIS
Near Vertical Incidence Skywave.
NWO
New World Order
NWR
National Weather Radio. See also: WX and SAME.
NYBOT
New York Board of Trade
NYC
New York City
NYMEX
New York Mercantile Exchange. See also: CBOT.
NYPD
New York Police Department
NYSE
New York Stock Exchange

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O
 
O2
Oxygen
O2 SAT
Oxygen Saturation
OAKOC
A US military acronymn sor; obstacles, avenues of approach, key and decisive terrain, observation and fields of fire, cover and concealment.. It superceded teh acronym OCOKA.
OAL
or O.A.L. Overall Length
OBC
Officer Basic Course
OBE
Overcome by Events (In the context of SurvivalBlog, OBE means something that is out of date, no longer existent, or no longer relevant.)
OB-GYN
Obstetrician-Gynecologist
OBL
Osama Bin-Laden. See also: AQ, WTC and 9-11.
OBTW
Oh, By The Way
OBUA
Operations in Built-Up Areas. See also: MOUT.
OCC
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
OCF
Off-center feed. (Antennas.)
OCOKA
An obsolete US military acronymn for: Observation and fields of fire, Cover and Concealment, Obstacles, Key terrain, Avenues of approach. It was superceded by OAKOC.
OCONUS
Outside the Continental United States
OC
Depending on context Oleoresin Capsicum. (“Pepper Spray”) or Observer-Controller (military training exercises.)
OCD
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
OCS
Officer Candidate School
OD
O.D. Depending on Context: Olive Drab, Overdose, or Outside Diameter
ODA
Operational Detachment Alpha–a Special Forces team, formerly known as an A-Team
ODAC
Oil Depletion Analysis Centre (in England.)
OEC
Outdoor Emergency Care
OECD
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
OEF
Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan)
OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturer
OER
Officer Efficiency Report
Off Grid
A home that is not connected to the power grid. Typically powered by PVs, wind power, or micro-hydro generators, or gas/diesel/propane gensets.
OHV
Overhead Valve
OI
Open Interest (Futures Market term)
OIC
Officer In Charge
OIF
Operation Iraqi Freedom
OISM
Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine
OJT
On the Job Training
O-Level
Operator Level
One Percenter
99% of bikers are not criminals. It is that remaining one percent that is a threat, even before TSHTF. They have no compunctions about killing, and with motorcycles they are a highly mobile threat, capable of covering long distances with just a few gallons of gasoline.
One Trip Bugout
In the event of a major disaster, you may have the opportunity to make one trip to your retreat location before roads become impassible. (Due to road blocks, road closures by law enforcement, or stalled traffic jams)
OOB
Order of Battle
OODA
Observation, Orientation, Decision, Action (term coined and concept developed by Col. John Boyd, USAF (Ret.), usually called an OODA Loop). An explanation can be found at http://www.mindsim.com/MindSim/Corporate/OODA.html
OP
Observation Post:
OPD
Overfill Protection Device. OPD valves are used on many propane tanks.
OPEC
Oil Producing and Exporting Countries trading cartel.
Op-Ed
Opinion/Editorial
Open Market Operations
The Open Market Desk of the New York Federal Reserve Bank has the task of controlling the reserves in the banking system as required to hold the Fed funds rate on target. It does so mainly through repurchase agreements with authorized dealers. The Fed buys or sells Treasury securities with a promise to reverse the transaction at a later date. Commonly known as repos, these are basically short-term collateralized loans at a negotiated interest rate. (Definition courtesy of W.F. Hummel.)
OPFOR
Opposing Forces. The “bad guys” in U.S. military training exercises. Also called the Red Force. See also: BLUFOR.
OPORD
Operations Order
Ops, OPS
Operations
OPSEC
Operational Security
OPTEMPO
Operational Tempo
Option
An agreement that grants the options buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an asset or commodity at a specified “;strike”; price on or before a certain date. A call option grants the right to buy at the specified strike price, and so it pays off if the market price for the underlying item rises above that mark. A put option grants the right to sell as the strike price and pays off when the market price falls below the strike price. On the other hand, an option seller or “;options writer”; has the obligation to pay when the options buyer exercises their right. Options are traded on both exchanges and OTC markets. For example, party A buys a call that grants them the right to buy 1 million Euros at $0.9400 in September. (Definition courtesy of The Derivatives Primer)
OR
Operating Room.
ORM
Operational Risk Management
ORP
Objective Rally Point.
ORS
Oral Rehydration Solution. Sold under brands names like Pedialyte.
OS
Operating System.
OSB
Oriented Strand Board (a type of plywood-like sheathing.)
OSC
Officer Specialty Code. See also: ASI and MOS.
OSINT
Open Source Intelligence.
OSOM
Out of Sight, Out of Mind. See also: HIPS.
OSS
Office of Strategic Services. The WWII progenitor of both the CIA and the U.S. Army Special Forces. See also: SOE
OTC
Over The Counter (Drugs, Stocks)
OTP
One Time Pad (Encryption)
OTR
Depending on context: Over The Road (truck driving) or Old Tiime Radio
OTT
Over The Top
OW
Off-World. (In outer space.)
OWB
Outside-the-waistband (pistol holster design) See also: IWB
OWS
Occupy Wall Street.
oz
Ounce
Oz
Slang for Australia
Ozzie
Slang for Australian. See also: Aussie.

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P
 
+P
The designation used by many manufacturers for extra velocity (“hot”) pistol ammunition. Note that not all handguns can handle +P loads. (Check your owner’s manual first!)
P2P
Depending on context: Point to Point, Person to Person, or Peer to Peer.
P38
Depending on context: A compact military can opener that can be carried on a key ring, or a Walther 9mm pistol, or WWII fighter plane manufactured by Lockheed.
P7
(Numeric acronym coined by JWR) See: PPPPPPP (P7 is also the designation of a highly regarded HK pistol. I recommend the P7-M13 for someone with lavish budget.
PA
Depending on context Physician’s Assistant or Public Address (system amplifier)
PAO2
Arterial partial pressure of oxygen
PAC
Political Action Committee.
PACE
Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency. (Survival gear redundancy.)
Packet
Amateur radio AX.25 data communications, a structured group of binary digits in a prearranged sequence containing synchronization, address, control an error-checking data. A packet is a block of many characters (or bytes) which are sent together along with a few extra characters (overhear/checksum) used to guarantee that the data is completely error free. The packet includes addressing information so that the receiving station knows the source and destination of the Packet.
PACO2
Arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide.
PADI
Professional Association of Diving Instructors.
PA Polycyclic
Aromatic Hydrocarbons. A carcinogenic compound found in used motor crankcase oil.
PAMP
Produits Artistiques de Mtaux Prïcieux. PAMP is a gold, silver and platinum group metals refinery based at Castel San Pietro, in Switzerland near the Italian border
Panic
Azimuth: A compass bearing used to get folks to a rally point.
Para
Short for paratrooper. Refers both to the soldiers themselves, and the type of rifles that they often carry. (Typically with a folding stock.)
Paracord
Slang for parachute cord–a heavy duty nylon twine that has thousands of uses and can be disassembled for uses as sturdy thread. Also called 550 cord.
Parkerize
The trade name for a rust-resistant phosphate finish used on some firearms.
Parts Kit
A set of parts for a firearm, usually minus the receiver. Parts kits are typically derived from military surplus weapons that would not otherwise be importable because they were originally capable of fully automatic fire. Since in the U.S. only receivers are subject to Federal controls, a parts kit can transferred without any FFL paperwork. Parts kits are typically used by hobbyists to assemble a complete semi-auto only firearm, or are kept as spare parts for a complete rifle of the same model.
Patriots
JWR’s first novel– “Patriots: Surviving the Coming Collapse”
PASGT
Personal Armor System for Ground Troops (Often misspelled PAGST, because that is how it is typically spoken.)
Passive Solar
A building that uses a room or part of the build ing as a solar collector, as opposed to active solar, such as PV.
PATS
Passive Anti-Theft System (Automobile elctronics).
PAWS
The Protection of Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS)–designated S. 1139 / H.R.2669 would make hunting dog breeders and sellers subject to USDA licensing.
PAX
Aviation shorthand for Passengers.
PB
Prussian Blue.
PBGC
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
PBO
Depending on context, Property Book Officer(military) or Packed By Owner. (moving companies)
PBS
Public Broadcasting Service. (Sometimes jokingly called Propaganda Broadcasting Service.)
PC
Politically Correct. In other contexts: Personal Computer.
PCGS
Professional Coin Grading Service. An independent professional numismatic coin grading service. See also: NGC and Slab.
PCI
Pre-combat inspection(s)
PCP
Depending on context: Pre-Charged Pneumatic (air rifles), Primary Care Physician, Pneumocystis Pneumonia, or 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl) piperidine (or more commonly Phencyclidine). The latter is an animal tranquilizer that is sometimes misused by drug addicts, because of its hallucinogenic effects.
PCS
Permanent Change of Station. (Military transfer.) See also: TDY and ETS.
PCM
Powertrain Control Module
PD
or P.D. Police Department
PDA
Personal Digital Assistant
PDF
Portable Document Format. A common file format used for viewing text and graphics files, developed by Adobe software.
PDR
Physician’s Desk Reference. (A standard reference on prescription drugs.)
PDW
Depending on context: Personal Defense Weapon (HK MP-5 variant) or Pulse Descriptor Word (ELINT.)
PE
or P.E. Depending on the context: Physical Education or Professional Engineer.
P/E
Price to Earnings ratio.(A measure of stock valuation.)
Peak Load
The maximum load, or usage, of electrical power occurring in a given period of time, typically a day.
Peaknik
An adherent of Peak Oil Theory.
Peak Oil
See: Hubbert’s Peak.
Pectin
A natural jellying agent that is found in some fruits.
Peen
The nailing end of a ball-peen hammer.
Pelosi
Rawles ranch slang for a framing timber or other obect that is not Plumb.
PEP
Peak Envelope Power.
Percolation
(or “Perk”) Test. A test of the soil to determine if it will absorb and drain water adequately to use a septic leach field system for sewage disposal.
Perp
Slang for perpetrator. (This contraction is most commonly used by police.)
PERSCOM
The U.S. Army’s personnel command. (The folks that make the duty assignments.)
PET
Polyethylene
PETA
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
PETE
Polyethylene Terephtalate (a common plastic used for beverage bottles)
PETN
Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate. A stable, flexible high-order explosive. The filler used in primacord (detonating cord.)
PEWS
Platoon Early Warning System
PF
Protection Factor. (Usually in the context of fallout protection)
PFD
Depending on contecxt: Personal Flotation Device (typically, a life vest), or Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) – Alaska state oil royalties .)
PGP
Pretty Good Privacy (Encryption freeware.)
pH
(scale) The pH scale is a measure of hydrogen ion concentration. The scale runs from 0 to 14 with the middle point (pH 7) being neutral (neither acidic or basic).Any pH number greater than 7 is considered a base and any pH number less than 7 is considered an acid. 0 is the strongest acid and 14 is the strongest base.
Phantom Load
A device that consumes energy even when switched off, such as the digital clock on a VCR.
PHTLS
Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support
PID
Positive IDentification (typically, of an enemy combatant). See also: ROE.
PII
Personally Identifiable Information.
PIIGS
Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain. The five weakest Eurozone national economies.
PIK
Payment in Kind
PIO
Public Information Office(r)
PIR
Depending on context, Passive Infrared or Priority Intelligence Requirement.
PIT
Pursuit Immobilization Technique. A vehicle ramming maneuver, used by police. In a PIT, the front bumper of a pursuit car is aimed at the left rear quarter panel of the car being pursued, to spin the car off the road.
PJ
Pararescue Jumper (USAF)
PL
See: CTCSS
PLA
People’s Liberation Army of Mainland China.
PLC
Depending on Platoon Leader’s Course (USMC) or Programmable Logic Controller.
PLL
Depending on context Prescribed Load List (military unit mobilization) or Phase Lock Loop (circuitry used in radio transmitters & receivers to reduce the number of crystals needed to generate accurate and stable transmit & receive frequencies.)
Plumb
An object that is exactly vertical, as established by a spirit level or a plumb line. If a board is truly vertical it is called “plumb” or “square to the world.” If not, then it is deemed “out of plumb” or as we derisively put it in the Rawles Ranch parlance: “Pelosi.”
PLUS
Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students.
PM
Depending on context, Preventative Maintenance, Preventive Medicine, Post-Meridian, Precious Metal(s), or Prime Minister.
PMAG
Polymer Magazine. A popular and very sturdy plastic magazine made by MagPul industries. Initially made for M16s, they later became available for AR-10s, G-36s, and other rifles.
PMI
Private Mortgage Insurance
PMO
Postal Money Order.
PMS
Depending on context, Pre-Menstrual Syndrome, Pulse, Motor function and Sensation, or Professor of Military Science (ROTC unit commanders).
PNG
Depending on context, Papua New Guinea or Persona Non Grata.
PO
or P.O. Post Office.
POA
Depending on context, Program of Action or Power of Attorney
POC
Point of Contact
POF
Pakistan Ordnance Factory, makers of HK clones (made under license on HK tooling.) Some of their products are marketed in the US by POF-USA.
POI
Depending on context, Point of Impact or Person(s) of Interest
POL
Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants
POLO
Points Likely Opposition. (Close Quarter Combat term.)
Pollyanna
Someone that is in denial that TEOTWAWKI could occur and remains cheerfully optimistic, even confronted with evidence to the contrary. The “Pollyanna” label was popularized in the two years preceding Y2K. It is sometimes rendered as “Polly”, for short. (Pollyanna was a 1913 novel by Eleanor H. Porter that is a classic of children’s literature. The term generically refers to “someone whose optimism is excessive to the point of naiveté or refusing to accept the facts of an unfortunate situation”.)
POO
Point of Origin
POP
Depending on context Point of Purchase (credit card transaction processing), Point of Presence (computer networks), or Preparedness Oriented Person.
POS
Piece of Schumer. (See also: Schumer.)
POTUS
President Of The United States
POV
Depending on context: Privately Owned Vehicle (US military term for a private conveyance) or Point of View (film-making). See also: BOV
POW
Depending on context: Prisoner of War or Personally Owned Weapon.
Power Pole
Anderson Power Poles are genderless DC power connectors that have become standardized in the ham radio and emergency services communities. JWR recommends using them on all 12 volt DC appliances, rather than cigarette lighter plugs, which are bulky and often pop apart.
PPE
Personal Protections Equipment
PPB
or ppb Parts per billion. The measure used by teh EPA to describe lead contamination.
PPM
or ppm Parts per million
PPP
Point to Point Protocol (Internet networking.)
PPPP
The Pioche Professional Polymer Pistolero. (One of SurvivalBlog’s correspondents–an instructor at a well-known firearms training academy.
PPPPPPP
Poor Prior Planning Produces Pitifully Poor Performance. Also called: P7 in JWR’s lexicon.
PPT
Plunge Protection Team. Also known as the President’;s Working Group on Markets (PWG).
PPTC
Polymeric Positive Temperate Coefficient thermistor. (A thermo-electric circuit breaker.)
PR
Depending on context: Public Relations or Puerto Rico.
PR-24
A law enforcement baton with a side handle, made by Monadnock.
Pre-1899
Guns made before 1899–not classified as “firearms” under Federal law. See my FAQ on this subject.
Pre-1965
or Pre-’65: See Junk Silver.
Prep
Slang for prepare.
Prepper
Slang for prepared individual. (A Survivalist.)
Preps
Slang for preparations.
PRI-D
A commercial fuel additive that extends the storage life of diesel fuel and biodiesel. It includes an anti-bacterial.
PRI-G
A commercial fuel additive that extends the storage life of gasoline. See also: STA-BIL.
Primacord
See: Det Cord.
Primary Targets
These are mostly missile silos, bomber bases, submarine bases, and command and control (C2) centers. The enemy must neutralize these assets immediately to prevent or minimize retaliation.
PRK
Depending on context, People’s Republic of Kalifornia or photorefractive keratectomy (vision corrective eye surgery.)
PRN
Either: “Take, as needed” (Pharmacy term) or Pseudo-Random Number (Encryption.)
Projo
Shooter’s slang for projectile. (A bullet.)
ProMED
Program for Monitoring Infectious Disease. Part of the Federation of American Scientists (FAS)
PRSSC
Planning, Reconnaissance Security, and Control. (The five principles of combat patrolling.)
PSA
Depending on context, Prostate-specific antigen or Public Service Announcement.
PSD
Personal Security Detail
PSI
or p.s.i. [Pounds] per square inch.
PSIG
or p.s.i.g. [Pounds] per square inch gauge.
PSK
Phase Shift Keying. See also: FSK.
PSP
Depending on context Pointed Soft Point (bullet design) or Pierced Steel Planking (runway mat material.)
PST
Pacific Standard Time.
PSYOPs
Psychological Operations
Pt.
Patient (medical)
PT
Depending on context: Physical (Fitness) Training, or Physical Therapy (Medical) or Perpetual Traveler.
PTA
Parent-Teacher Association
PTB
Powers That Be
PTO
Power Takeoff. A physical mounting for running auxiliary equipment, turned by an engine. PTOs are found on most farm tractors and some trucks. They are used to power accessories like post hole diggers, manure spreaders, and snow blowers.
PTR-91
An American-made clone of the HK91, that has a US-made receiver, parts from surplus G3 rifles, and 922(r) complance parts. Like the HK91, this ia s civilian (semi auto-only) variant of the 7.62 mm NATO G3 rifle.
PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Pulling Through
JWR’;s first “spec” screenplay– available for free download. Also the title of an excellent nuke survival science fiction novel by Dean Ing.
PV
Photovoltaic. Photovoltaic power panels converts energy from sunshine to DC electricity.
PVC
Poly-Vinyl Chloride. The ubiquitous white plastic water pipe used in the U.S. and Canada. In other contects: Premature ventricular contraction. (Heart condition.) See also: ABS.
PWG
President’s Working Group on Markets (PWG). Commonly called the Plunge Protection Team (PPT).
PX
Post Exchange. See also BX.

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Q
 
QD
Quick Detachable
QE
Quantitative Easing. A highly inflationary monetary policy, typicaly where a central bank buys government debt paper. See also: QE2.
QE2
Quantitative Easing, Round 2. The second round of Quantitative Easing in the United States expected to begin in late 2010.
QED
Quod erat demonstratum. (Latin: Thus it is demonstrated.)
QDR
Quadrennial Defense Review.
QKD
Quantum Key Distribution.
QRF
Quick Reaction Force.
QRM
Man-made interference on a radio frequency, intentional or not.
QRN
Natural interference on a radio frequency. Lightning, solar noise (an issue with very week signals) are examples of natural interference.
QRP
Low power amateur radio operation, usually 5 watts output or 10 watts input power.
QSL
To acknowledge receipt. Commonly used to indicate “I understand”, “I copied your transmission (or report) all Okay”. Also used as a term for sending cards by mail to confirm a two way contact with a station. (A “QSL Card”)
QSO
Two way conversation. (Ham radio.)
Quad
slang for a four-wheel All Terrain Vehicle (ATV). See also ATV and UATV.

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R
 
R4
See: AK.
R
Depending on context: Rads (a.k.a. Roentgens), or R (Value)–the insulating value of building materials.
RA
Depending on context: Room Air (medical term) or Resident Adviser.
RAAF
Royal Australian Air Force
RACES
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
RACK
Ranger Assault Carry Kit.
Rad or RAD
Radiation Absorbed Dose. See also: Gray
RAF
Royal Air Force (UK)
RAM
Depending on context: Random Access memory, Radar Absorbing Material, or Rechargeable Alkaline Manganese (batteries.)
Raw Deal
JWR’s term for the plethora of new taxes and high inflation that will be instituted to over the cost of the Mother of All Bailouts (MOAB) and the new regulatory and “recovery” agencies that are likely to be established by the Democratic majority in congress in the nascent Second Great Depression. (With due acknowledgment to FDR biographer Burton Folsom, this term was re-coined by JWR on October 20, 2008 to described the period beginning in 2009.)
Rawlesian
Those who subscribe to the survivalist philosophy of James Wesley, Rawles. (Pronounced: “Ralls-EE-Ann.”)
Rawles Ranch
The full-time home/retreat for the Rawles family, located in The Un-named Western State (TUWS). The ranch is small but has plentiful game and it borders public lands, providing the family a several million acre “big back yard.” OPSEC dictates that we don’t mention the locale of the Rawles Ranch. See also: JASBORR, TUM, TUR, TUROM, TUT, and TUWS.
RBC
Depending on context Retroactive Birth Control or Red Blood Cells
RBMA
Reality-Based Martial Arts
Rc
Rockwell (scale of metal hardness)
RC
Radio Controlled. See also: RCIED.
RCIED
Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device
R&D
Research and Development
RDA
Recommended Daily Allowance
RDD
Radiological Dispersion Device. A “dirty bomb” is a variety of RDD.
RDF
Radio Direction Finding
RDS
or rds. Contraction for “Rounds” (Cartridges.)
RE
Renewable Energy
Rebar
or Re-bar. Reinforcing Bar. (Steel, for concrete.)
RED
Estatuto Constitucional de las Regiones Especiales de Desarrollo (RED âÂ?Â? Special Development Regions) See also SEZ.
Red Force
See: OPFOR.
Redoubt
See American Redoubt..
Re-fi
Slang contraction for loan re-financing.
Refugee Lines of Drift
See: Channelized Areas.
Reg
Slang for regulation.
REI
Recreational Equipment, Incorporated. A membership store that sells outdoor gear.
REIT
Real Estate Investment Trust
REM
Roentgen equivalent, man. A measurement used to quantify the amount of radiation that will produce biological effects. See also: Gray and Rad.
REMM
Radiation Event Medical Management.
Remote Retreat
See: Isolated Retreat.
REO
Real Estate Owned. Usually refers to properties that are owned by an institution or a government agency.
Retreat
In the context of SurvivalBlog, a place of refuge that is prepared in advance. Usually in lightly-populated rural regions. Also sometimes called a Bug Out Location. (See also: BOL.)
RF
Depending on context, Radio Frequency (waves) or Rimfire.
RFI
Request for Information.
RFID
Radio Frequency Identification. An identification tag that can be read from a distance. One variety of RFID is an implantable biochip.
RFP
Request for Proposal.
RFQ
Request for Quotation.
RFR
Radio Free Redoubt .
RFT
Run-flat tire
RIF
Rediction in Force.
R.I.G.
Rust Inhibitive Grease.(The brand name of one of the best brands of grease on the market.) See also: Silica Gel and VCI.
RINT
Radiations Intelligence
RKBA
The right to keep and bear arms.
RMBS
Residential Mortgage Backed Security/Securities. See also: MBS and CMB.
RMS
Root Mean Square
RN
Depending on context: Registered Nurse or Round Nose (ammunition)
ROBS
Rollerovers as Business Startups
ROE
Rules of Engagement. See also: PID and EOF.
Roentgen
See: Gray
Rock-‘n-roll
Slang term for full automatic fire. See also: Group Therapy.
ROI
Return on Investment. See also: EROEI
ROK
Republic of Korea.
ROM
Depending on context: Read-only memory or range of motion (first aid and occupational therapy)
RON
Remain Over Night (location)
RoRR
“Rawles on Retreats and Relocation”; a nonfiction book by JWR
ROTC
Reserve Officer Training Corps. See also: USMA.
ROTFL
Rolling on the floor laughing.
ROTFLMAO
Rolling on the floor laughing my a** off.
Round
A commonly used term for a rifle of pistol cartridge “round of ammunition.”
Rover Packs
Organized gangs of looters. See also: Killer Caravans
RP
Rally Point
RPG
Depending on context Rocket Propelled Grenade or Role Playing Game
RPK
The light machinegun variant of the AK family that features a longer barrel and a bipod. The original RPK shoots the intermediate 7.62 x 39mm cartridge, while the more recent RPK-74 shoots the 5.45 x 39mm cartridge. See also: AK, AK-47, and AK-74.
RPM
Revolutions Per Minute
R&R
Rest and Relaxation
RRA
Rock River Arms. An American gunmaker of AR family rifles.
RSS
Real Simple Syndication, or in some contexts: Received Signal Strength
RSTA
Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition
RTC
Resolution Trust Corporation.
RTTY
Radio-teletype.
RTV
Room Temperature Vulcanizing.
Ruger
Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. An American firearms manufacturer.
Rule 157
See FAS 157.
Rule 303 / Rule 308
Civilian Law Enforcement, post TEOTWAWKI (“Rule 303” in Canada and Oz, and “Rule 308” in the Americas)
RUM
Remington Ultra Magnum.
RV
In the context of nuclear weapons, a re-entry vehicle method of delivering a nuclear weapon. In the context of survival retreats, a recreational vehicle. In the context of the film Dr. Strangelove , both!
RVN
Republic of Vietnam.
RWR
Depending on context: Radar Warning Receiver or Ronald Wilson Reagan.
RWVA
Revolutionary War Veterans Association (www.rwva.org)
Rx
or RX. Prescribed or prescription medicine.
RX
Receiver.

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S
 
S1
Personnel (Military staff function. Called G1 at higher echelons.)
S2
Intelligence (Military staff function. Called G2 at higher echelons.)
S3
Operations and Training (Military staff function. Called G3 at higher echelons.)
S4
Logistics (Military staff function. Called G4 at higher echelons.)
S5
Civil-Military Operations (Military staff function. Called G5 at higher echelons.)
S6
Signal Operations (Military staff function. Called G6 at higher echelons.)
SA
or S.A. Depending on context: Single Action, Situational Awareness, Springfield Armory, South Africa, South America, or Finnish (“Suomi”) Army
SAA
Depending on context: Single Action Army a (Colt revolver design) or Slightly Above Average
SAAMI
Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute, Inc.
SA-80
The UK military’s 5.56mm “bullpup” infantry carbine. Their magazines are interchangeable with M16/AR-15 magazines.
SAC
Strategic Air Command. See also: USAF.
SAD
Seasonal Affected Disorder.
SAFN-49
See: FN-49.
SALUTE
The standard S2 report format
SAM
Depending on context: Surface to Air Missile or Structural Aluminum Malleable (bone fracture splint.)
SAME
Specific Area Message Encoding . (See also: NWR.)
SAMPLE
(Medical patient history.) Signs and symptoms, allergies, medications, pertinent past medical history, last oral intake and events leading up to the medical intervention event.
Sam’s Club
An American membership “warehouse” type grocery store chain that sells every thing from canned hams to home computers. A sister company of Wal-Mart. Most items are sold in case lots. See also: COSTCO.
SAPI
Small Arms Protective Insert (The ceramic insert used in some body armor.)
SAR
Search and Rescue
SAR-8
Springfield Armory’s clone of the HK91 rifle.
SAR
Search and Rescue or Suspicious Activity Report. In the US, a SAR is a secret filing, triggered by any financial activity the government deems unusual. Specifically, any group of transactions totaling $5,000 or more that “is not the sort in which the particular customer would normally be expected to engage.”
SARS
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
SAS
Special Air Service (British Special Forces.)
SASE
Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope
SASS
Single Action Shooter’s Society
SAT
Scholastic Aptitude Test. In other contexts: Satellite
SAW
Squad Automatic Weapon (The M249, a.k.a. the FN “Minimi.” See also: LMG.)
SBA
Small Business Administration (A US Federal government agency.)
SBCT
Stryker Brigade Combat Team
SBI
Special Background Investigation. See also SSBI.
SBR
Short-Barreled Rifle (BATFE classification.)
SBS
Depending on context, Special Boat Service (British Special Forces) or Short-Barreled Shotgun (BATFE classification.)
SCA
Society for Creative Anachronism.
SCADA
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition. The software that is typically used to control power and water utility switching and valve hardware. A closely related term is Industrial Control Systems (ICS).
SCAR
Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle
SCBA
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus. (Used by firemen and Hazmat teams.)
SCC
The Sarah Connor Chronicles.
SCFM
Standard Cubic Feet Per Minute
Schumer
JWR coined this euphemism for the stuff that the septic tank pumper truck hauls away. (Full offense intended to Senator Charles Schumer, a scum-sucking ultra-liberal hoplophobe.)
Schumeresque
Living under intolerably bad (post-TEOTWAWKI) circumstances (i.e. the Schumer has been widely distributed.) See also: WTSHTF.
SCOTUS
Supreme Court of the United States
SCI
Depending on context, Sensitive Compartmented Information or Safari Club International
SCIF
Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility
Sci-fi
Science Fiction
SCR
Silicon Controlled Rectifier. Also called a Thyristor.
SCS
See: NRCS.
SCUBA
Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus
SDA
Seventh Day Adventist|
SDF
State Defense Force
SDM
Squad Designated Marksman
SDR
Special Drawing Rights
SEAL
Sea, Air Land–the U.S. Navy’s elite commando force. See also: DEVGRU.
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Secondary (Nuclear) Targets
Major military, industrial, governmental, and transportation centers. Also included are seaports, locks and dams. These may be hit at once by the first missiles or struck by the bombers that will follow.
SEER
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio.
SERE
Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape.
SEZ
Special Economic Zone. See also: ee also: RED.
SF
or S.F. Depending on context, Special Forces or San Francisco.
SFG
Depending on context: Square Foot Gardening or Special Forces Group
SFI
Solar Flux Index
SFOD-D
US Army Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta. Commonly called “Delta Team”. See also: DEVGRU.
S&G
Sargent & Greenleaf. (A lock manufacturer.)
Shank’s Mare
Scottish slang dating from the eighteenth century. There was a verb, to shank or to shank it, meaning to go on foot. This is from standard English shank for the part of the leg from the knee to the ankle, which comes from Old English sceanca, the leg bone. This verb developed into shank’s naig or shank’s naigie (where the second words are local forms of nag, a horse) and later into shank’s mare. It was a wry joke: “I haven’t got a horse of my own for the journey, so I’ll use Shank’s mare to get there.” (Meaning, I’ll go on my own two feet.) This supposed link with a person called Shank explains why the first word is often capitalized. Another form, now more common in Britain, is shank’s pony. (Definition courtesy of Michael Quinion’s World Wide Words web site)
Sheeple
(“Sheep People”) Those who parrot the MSM and who are in denial of potential TEOTWAWKI. (Coined by the late Miltion William “Bill” Cooper)
Sheldon Scale
The numerical coin grading scale (from 1 to 70) used by professiona lnumismatic coin grading firms like NGC and PCGS.
Shelf Life
The useful life of of product in home storage. In the context of foods: The period of time that a processed food can be stored before changes in color, flavor, texture or the number of micro-organisms make it unacceptable. In the contexts of nonreversible consumer batteries: The period of time that a battery can be stored and still have at least 85% of its original charge.
SHTF
Schumer Hits the Fan. (See also: HTF, WTSHTF and ESHTF.)
SHU
Scoville Heat Unit(s). A scale used to measure the effectiveness of capsicum-based defensive “pepper spray”.
SIG
Schweizer Industrie Gesellschaft. The superb Swiss gun maker.
SIGACT
Significant Action
SIGINT
Signals Intelligence
SIGINT/EW
Signals Intelligence & Electronic Warfare
Silencer
See: Suppressor
Silica Gel
A granular desiccant, used to protect, guns, tools and other metal objects from rust. See also: R.I.G. and VCI.
SINCGARS
Single-Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System. The U.S. military’s current issue frequency-hopping VHF radio transceiver.
SIP
Depending on context, either Shelter in Place or Structurally Insulated Panel.
SIPC
Securities Investor Protection Corporation
SIPRNET
Secret IP Router Network (A DoD network carried via classified channels.)
SITREP
Situation Report.
SIV
Structured Investment Vehicle. See also: CDO and Structured.
Slab
or Slabbed. Professionally graded and encapsulated numismatic coins. See also: PCGS and NGC.
SKI
Spending Kid’s Inheritance
SKS
Samozariadnyia Karabin Simonova, the semi-automatic carbine in 7.62×39 issued by the Soviet Army before and coincidentally with the AK-47. As originally issued, the SKS had a 10 round top-fed fixed magazine.
S&L
Savings and Loan
S&P
Standard & Poor’s. Refers to both the stock price index and also the credit rating agency.
SLLS
Stop, look, listen, and smell.
SLR
Self-Loading Rifle. See also: L1A1
SLUDGE
Salivation, lacrimation, urination, diarrhea, gastrointestinal distress, and emesis. Sympoms of organophosphate poisoning.
SMG
Submachinegun
SMLE
Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (The British Commonwealth bolt action .303 service rifle in WWI, WWII, and Malaya.) See also: Enfield.
SMOLES
Self defense, Medical emergencies, Observation, Lost & found, Extreme weather, & Survival.
SMUG
Seriousness, Manageability, Urgency and Growth. (Scales for evaluating disasters.)
SNAP
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, carried out via Electroniuc Benefts Transfer (EBT). The card (resembling a credit crad) that replaced Food Stamps in the United States.) See also: SNAP.
SNAFU
Situation Normal, All Fouled Up
Snow Belt
Areas where prevailing onshore winds and/or elevation are responsible for heavy snowfall.
SOAP
The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) acronym for note-taking: “Subjective (Location, age, sex, MOI/history of events, Symptoms), Objective (LOC, RR, HR, SCTM, ROM [repeat at 15 min.]), Assessment (Fracture/Hyothermis/ …), PLAN (clean, bandage, splint, …)”
SOB
Small of Back (holster design.)
SOC
State of Charge (Battery terminology.)
SOCM
Special Operations Combat Medic (MOS 18D)
SOCOM
Special Operations Command
SODIS
SOlar DISinfection
SOE
Special Operations Executive. The British counterpart to the US Office of Strategic Services (OSS). See also: OSS
SOF
Special Operations Forces
SOI
Depending on context, Signal of Interest or Signal Operating Instructions. See also: CEOI
SO
Significant Other
SOL
“Schumer” Out of Luck, or, Simply Out of Luck
SOP
or S.O.P. Standard Operating Procedure(s)
SOPMOD
Special Operations Peculiar Modification
SOSA
System of Systems Analysis.
SOT
Special Occupational Tax.
Sound Moderator
See: Suppressor
SP
Soft Point (bullet design)
SPCA
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
SPLA
Sudan People’s Liberation Army
SPLC
Southern Poverty Law Center. (Also sometimes derisuvely called the Southern Preposterous Lie Center.)
Spec
Depending on context, Specification(s) or Speculation. The latter is often used to describe investment houses or land bought in a rising market.
SPF
Solar Protection Factor. (For sunscreen)
SPEAR
Special Operations Forces Personal Equipment Advanced Requirements.
SpO2
Blood oxygen saturation.
Spray ‘n Pray
Un-aimed full automatic fire.See also: Group Therapy.
SPST
Single Pole, Single Throw (electrical switch.)
Squib (load)
A cartridge with an inadequate or entirely missing powder charge. A squib load typically lodges a bullet only halfway down the barrel. This is a rare but dangerous occurrence.
SSA
Social Security Administration.
SSB
Single Sideband (an operating mode for CB and amateur radio gear.) See also: LSB and USB.
SSBI
Single Scope Background Investigation
SSRI
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. A class of controversial anti-deprrssant drugs.
SSN
Social Security Number.
SS&S
“Shoot, Shovel, & Shut Up” – A common philosophy on feral dogs and other predators (Acronym coined by JWR)
SSTV
Slow Scan Television (an Amateur Radio transmission type)
STA-BIL
A commercial fuel additive that extends the storage life of gasoline. See also: PRI-G.
STANAG
Standardization Agreement
STANO
Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Night Observation. See also: Starlight
Staph
Short for Staphylococcus
Starlight
An electronic light amplification technology that was first developed during the Vietnam War. A Starlight device literally amplifies low ambient light by up to 100,000 times, turning nighttime darkness into daylight–albeit a green and fuzzy view. Starlight scopes are critical tools for retreat security, especially in a “;grid-down”; situation. Note: Starlight is also the name brand of a manufacturer of heavy-duty Mil-Spec gun cases. (So named because the design of the cases resembles that of cases used for Starlight scopes and goggles.) See also: Mil-Spec.
Starlight in Vermont
JWR’s second “spec” screenplay.
State Line
(Jumping Game, The) Living near a state line to take advantage of a lower tax or other advantages in one or more adjoining states.
STD
Sexually Transmitted Disease.
STG-58
The Austrian Army’s version of the FN/FAL rifle. STG-58 parts kits have been used in recent years for building semi-auto only FALs in the U.S.
Sten
or STEN. Sterling-Enfield, A very inexpensive 9mm submachinegun produced in England, during World War II.
Steyr
An Austrian gun manufacturer. Their Steyr Daimler-Puch division also makes military off-road vehicles.
Steyr AUG
The Austrian army’s 5.56mm “bullpup” infantry carbine. Also issued by The Australian Army, as their replacement for the L1A1.
STRAC
See Strack.
Strack
U.S. military slang for a “squared away” soldier. Also sometimes applied to a field gear locker box – a “Strack Box.” The origin of this word is debated. Some say that it is an acronym for “Strictly Regular Army Commission” (STRAC), while others attribute it to the family name of Army Air Corps (later USAF) Brigadier General Harold Arthur Strack.
Strep
Short for Streptococcus.
Structured
(Note). A hybrid instrument that combines a bond or loan with a derivative. A traditional structured note is a call bond. See also: SIV.
Structuring
Any multiple cash transactions designed to circumvent the US IRS requirement to file Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs).
Sub-cu
Short for subcutaneous (drug injection).
SUIT
Sight Unit Infantry, Trilux, the optical sight using by the Brits on their L1A1s. See also: SUSAT.
Sulfation
The formation of lead-sulfate crystals on the plates of a lead-acid battery, which decreases battery capacity by impeding the opportunity for chemical reaction within a cell. It can be caused by leaving the battery in a discharged state for long periods of time.
Suppressor
A device for muffling the sound of a firearms discharge. They are often incorrectly called “silencers” by the mass media, but that is a misnomer since they do not completely silence any firearm. There is a $200 Federal transfer tax for firearms sound suppressors here in the U.S. There are also additional state-enacted restrictions on suppressors in many states, such as California and Washington. Suppressors are commonly called “sound moderators” or just “moderators” in the UK. Readers are strongly advised not to purchase or construct an unregistered suppressor. The risk of doing so is the loss of you gun ownership and voting rights for life, and many year behind bars. Don’t take that risk! Keep in mind that purchasing a registered suppressor will raise your profile, both locally (since it will be your local sheriff or chief of police that will sign off on your license) and at the Federal level. So you need to carefully weigh the risks versus benefits of doing so. Proceed down that path only after considerable thought and prayer.
Sure-Fire
A popular American brand of sturdy flashlights and electro-optics, often with weapons mounts.
SURV
Sport Utility Recreational Vehicle. Commonly called “Toy Haulers” these RVs and Fifth Wheel trailers have a cargo area (typically in the rear) with a loading ramp. This allows them to carry ATVs and motorcycles.
Survivalist
One who prepares for potential bad times. (Coined by Kurt Saxon)
SUSAT
Sight Unit Small Arms Trilux. See also: SUIT.
SUV
Sport/Utility Vehicle
SVO
Straight Vegetable Oil. See also: WVO and Biodiesel.
S&W
Smith & Wesson–An American gun maker.
Swap
An agreement to swap the net value of two series of obligations or payments in which one payment is usually based on a fixed interest rate and the other is based on a variable interest rate. (Or, for example, an interest rate in another currency, the total rate of return of a security or index, or a commodity price.)
SWAT
Special Weapons and Tactics. (SWAT originally stood for Special Weapons Assault Team until that was deemed politically incorrect.)
SWC
Semi-Wadcutter (ammunition)
Sweet Feed
See C-O-B.
SWOT
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats
SWR
Standing Wave Ratio (a radio transmitter term related to tuning an antenna for best performance)
Synthetic CDO
A collateralized debt obligation (CDO) that is based on credit default swaps (CDSs) rather physical debt securities. A form of derivative.
System D
“l’economie de la débrouillardise” The French term for the Black Market Economy, often shortened to “Systeme D.”, or Anglicized to “System D.”

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T
 
TA
Territorial Army. An Army Reserv eorganization in many British Commonweatlh nations.
TA-1
or TA-312. Older generation U.S. Military hard wire field telephones. They have been superceded by DNVTs. See also: DNVT.
TA-50
The standard issue U.S. Army field gear (backpack, web gear, tentage, boots, and fatigue uniforms) for active duty and reserve forces soldiers in Troop Program Units.
TAB
and Tabbing. Tactical Advance to Battle. (British army term.) “Tabbing” is slang for moving stealthily.
Tacrame
Items made with woven parachute cord. (A blending of the words Tactical and Macrame.)
TAD
Temporary Additional Duty. See also: PCS and TDY.
Take The Gap
Emigration under duress. (A term coined in Rhodesia, based on the British Commonwealth football term.)
Tango Sierra
U.S. Navy lingo for “Tough Schumer!”
TANSTAAFL
There Ain’t No Such Thing as a Free Lunch (Coined by Robert Heinlein)
Tape Switch
A slim, pressure sensitive DC electrical switch, typically mounted on firearms grips or forends, often used to actuate tactical lights or lasers.
TARFU
Things are Really Fouled Up.
TARP
Troubled Asset Relief Program. The bank bailout portion of the Mother of All Bailouts. See also: EESA and MOAB.
TAZ
Temporary Autonomous Zone.
TB
Tuberculosis
TBD
To Be Determined.
TBE
2,4,6-tribromophenol.
TBI
Traumatic Brain Injury
T-Bills
U.S. Treasury Bills. (Short-term debt obligations of the U.S. Treasury.)
TBO
Time Between Overhauls
TBSP
Tablespoon.
T-Case
Transfer case.
TC3
See: TCCC.
TCCC
Tactical Combat Casualty Care. (First aid course for soldiers, taught by the US Army. Often spoken: “TC3”.
TCE
See: Tri-Chlor
TCF
See: Claire Files.
TCM
Traditional Chinese Medicine.
TCP
Traffic Control Point.
TD
Time Dilation or Temporal Displacement. See also: WOT.
TDC
Top Dead Center.
TDS
Total Dissolved Solids.
T&E
Traverse and elevation. (Or in some contexts, Test & Evaluation.) The T&E mechanism is used for aiming some types of tripod-mounted belt-fed machineguns in deliberate fire. See also: Free Gun.
TDP
Depending on context, Technical Data Package, or The Darknet Project, or Thermodepolymerization (a process for manufacturing oil from organic waste.)
TDY
Temporary Duty. See also: PCS and TAD.
TEDD
Time, Environment, Distance and Demeanor
TEG
Thermoelectric Generaator.
TEL
Depending on context Tetra-ethyl lead (fuel) or Transporter, erector, launcher (mobile missile launchers)
TELCO
or Telco. Telephone Company. See: also: CO.
TEMPEST
Thermal, Electromagnetic & Physical Equipment Stress Testing.
TEOTWAWKI
The End of the World as we Know It (Acronym coined by Mike Medintz) (Spoken “;Tee-ought-walk-ee”;).
Tertiary (Nuclear) Targets
These are population and industrial centers that probably wouldn’t be hit in the first strikes but would be high on the lists for later destruction to further cripple our ability to fight a prolonged war and/or recover and function as a nation. Threats against these targets could also be used following the initial attacks to force our leadership to capitulate.
TFC
Tactical Field Care (TFC)
TFM
Temporary Filling Material (Dentistry.)
The Crunch
See: WTSHTF.
The Gray Nineties
Title of the draft edition of JWR’s first novel. It was shareware with 80,000+ downloads. No longer available on-line.
Thermal Mass
A material that has the ability to absorb, store, and release heat energy. Typically water tanks, concrete, bricks, or tiles.
Thermite
A mixture of aluminum powder and iron rust, that when ignited causes a vigorous exothermic reaction. Used primarily for welding. Also used by military units as an incendiary for destroying equipment.
THMs
Trihalomethanes.
TIA
Depending on context, Thanks in Advance, or Total Information Awareness,This is Africa, or Transient Ischemic Attack. (The latter is commonly called a “mini-stroke” or “warning stroke”.)
TIC
Troops in Contact. See also: ROE
TIDE
Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment
TIG
Tungsten Inert Gas (welding.) Also called Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
TIM
Toxic Industrial Materials, See also: NBC.
Timber Cruise
The process of surveying forest stands to predict how many board feet of lumber a stand will yield, as well as its health/maturity.
TIPS
Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities
TKO
In boxing: “Technical Knockout”. In ballistics: Taylor Knockout.
TLAR
That Looks About Right
TLC
Tender Loving Care.
TM
Technical Manual
TMEN
The Mother Earth News (magazine)
TMJ
Temporomandibular Joint (human jaw anatomy)
TMM
The Mental Militia–The Internet discussion forums formerly hosted by libertarian writer Claire Wolfe and called The Claire Files or TCF.
TNC
Terminal Node Controller. (An interface device used between a ham radio and a computer for Packet data transmission and reception)
TNFa
Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFa) (Reference) A cytokine.
TNT
Trinitrotoluene. A yellow crystalline compound. Used as a high explosive
TO&E
or TOE. Table of Organization & Equipment
Tommy Tactical
See: Arm Chair Commando and Mall Ninja.
Topo
Slang contraction for topographic (map).
Tor
The onion router
TOT
Time on target. A carefully coordinated artillery, mortar, missile, and/or rocket strike, where projectiles from several firing batteries arrive simultaneously.
TP
Toilet Paper
T-Pack
Tray-packaged U.S. military rations, sized to feed an entire squad.
TPI
Turns Per Inch (Metal threading.)
TPM
Temporary Paralysis of the Mind
TPN
Total Parenteral Nutrition. With TPN, the patient’s nutrients, liquids, etc, are all administered via a tube in a major vein. In Partial Parenteral Nutrition, the patient’s normal food intake is supplemented by a tube in a vein.
T-Post
The ubiquitous steel posts used in in North Amrica used for suspending barbed wire and woven wire livestocks fences. These ate formed in a “T” cross-section. Typically made in 6-, 8-, and 10-foot lengths. Usually driven with a weighted piece of steel tubing.
TPTB
The Powers That Be
Tracker
A rack for a PV array that follows the path of the sun to maximize the solar radiation incident on the panel’;s surface. Typically, a single axis tracker will give you 15% to 25% more power per day, and dual axis tracking will add about 5% to that. Depending on the latitude and season.
Tranny
Slang for transmission.
TREE
Transient radiation effects on electronics. See also: EMP.
Tri-Chlor
Slang for the solvent 1,1,1 trichloroethane
Trickle Charge
A battery charge done at a low rate, balancing through self-discharge losses, to maintain a cell or battery in a fully charged condition.
Trijicon
A maker of Tritium-lit sights and rifle scopes.
Tritium
A glowing radioactive gas (a hydrogen isotope) with an 11.2 year half-life.
Truck Farming/Truck Crops
Farming crops that are not processed before selling and that are directly used or sold fresh such as: lettuce, celery, and flowers.
TS
Top Secret
TSA
Transportation Security Administration (Acronym also defined as: “Thousands Standing Around.”)
TSCC
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
TSE
Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE). See also: BSE and CWD.
TSHTF
The Schumer Hits the Fan. (See: WTSHTF.)
TSLF
Term Securities Lending Facility. The Federal Reserve’s panic move to shore up banking liquidity with huge cash loans.The TSLF loans are designed to circumvent the Fed’s mandate to only take top-grade collateral in exchange for loans.
TSP
Depending on context teaspoon (measure) or Tri-Sodium Phosphate (cleaner)
TTB
Tax and Trade Bureau
TTBOMK
To the Best of My Knowledge
TTP
Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures
TTS
Target Tracker System
TTSLE
Target Tracker System – Law Enforcement
TULIP
Acronym for the the Five Points of Calvinism:

  • Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin)
  • Unconditional Election
  • Limited Atonement (also known as Atonement for the Elect)
  • Irresistible Grace
  • Perseverance of the Saints (“Once Saved Always Saved”)
TUM
The Un-named Mountain. The mountain that adjoins the back property line of the Rawles Ranch. OPSEC dictates that we don’t mention the mountain by name.
TUR
The Un-named River. The river that runs through the back end of the Rawles Ranch. OPSEC dictates that we don’t mention the name of the river.
TUROM
The Un-named Range of Mountains. The Mountain range that surrounds the Rawles Ranch. OPSEC dictates that we don’t mention it by name.
TUT
The Un-named Town. The town closest to the Rawles Ranch. OPSEC dictates that we don’t mention the name of the town.
TUWS
The Un-named Western State. The State “somewhere in the American Redoubt” where the Rawles Ranch is located. OPSEC dictates that we don’t even mention the State where we live.
TV
Television. See also: HDTV.
TVP
Textured Vegetable Protein.
Two Meter
See: 2 Meter.
Tzedakah
Hebrew for Charity and Tithing Law.
TWS
Thermal Weapon Sight. An electronic sight that uses thermal imaging technology. Unlike starlight or infrared, a TWS literally “sees” heat.
TX
Transmitter.

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U
 
UA 571-C
Nomenclature of the Remote Sentry Weapons that are used for perimeter security at the Rawles Ranch.
UATV
Utility All Terrain Vehicle. An ATV with extra cargo capacity. UATVs are typified by the John Deere Gator and Buck models.
UAV
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
UAVIED
UAV Borne Improvised Explosive Device. (Acronym coined by JWR, in December, 2006)
UB
Underground Burial. The rating for data or power cable that is designed to withstand being buried for extended periods.
UC
Depencing on context Ulcerative Colitis or University of California.
UCC
Unincorporated Church Coalition. (In other contexts: Uniform Commercial Code)
UCMJ
Uniform Code of Military Justice
UFC
Uniform Fire Code
UGR
Unitized Group Ration
UHF
Ultra High Frequency. (Radio and television frequencies in the range 300-3000 MHz)
UHT
Ultra High Temperature milk pasteurization. Used for retort packaged milk.
UK
United Kingdom
UL
Underwriter’s Laboratory.
ULSD
Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (fuel).
UMTBF
Unacceptable Mean Time Between Failures. See also: MTBF.
UN
United Nations
UNE
Urban Northeast
Unhardened
(electronics) See: EMP.
U.P.
Depending on context: Upper Peninsula of Michigan or Union Pacific Railroad. Residents of the U.P. are often called Yoopers.
UPS
Depending on context: Uninterruptible Power Source or United Parcel Service
URI
Upper Respiratory Infection
URL
Uniform Resource Locator. The actual written “;address”; of a given Internet site.
USAID
United States Agency for International Development
USAR
U.S. Army Reserve
USB
Depending on context, Universal Serial Bus or Upper Sideband (an operating mode for CB and amateur radio gear.) See also “LSB” and “SSB”.
USBP
U.S. Border Patrol
USCG
U.S. Coast Guard
USD
United States Dollar
USDA
United States Department of Agriculture
USDX
United States Dollar Index
USFS
United States Forest Service
USFWS
United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
USG
United States Government.
USGS
United States Geological Survey. http://www.usgs.gov/ See also GNIS (Geographic Names Information System)
USGPO
U.S. Government Printing Office.
U.S.G.I.
United States Government Issue (equipment specifications)
USMA
United States Military Academy (at West Point, New York.) See also: ROTC.
USP
Depending on context, United States Pharmacopoeia or Universale Selbstladepistole (“universal self-loading pistol”)
USPS
United States Postal Service. Sometimes jokingly called the “Unbearably Slow Postal Sloths”.
USPSA
United States Practical Shooting Association
USWS
United States Weather Service. See also: WX.
Utes
USMC slang for utility uniforms. See also: MARPAT
UTI
Urinary Tract Infection
UTMA
Uniform Transfers to Minors Act
UV
Ultraviolet (commonly called “Black Light”)
UXO
Unexploded Ordnance
Uzi
The compact 9mm submachinegun designed by Uziel Gal of Israel.

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V
 
VA
Veteran’s Administrationt
VAC
Volts, Alternating Current
Valmet
A Finnish conglomerate, that formerly made firearms.Valmet is short for: Valtion Metallitehtaat which can be translated State Metal Works. During WWII they made everything fron 9mm pistols and Mosin-Nagant rifles (marked(“VKT”) to 20mm man-packed light cannons. They are best known as the makers of Kalshsnikov-type battle rifles. They also made over & under shotguns and combination guns in the 1980s. Valmet now makes a wide range of products including industrial machinery, aircraft, and log harvesters. See also: AK.
VaR
Value at Risk.
VAT
Value Added Tax.
Vauban Star
See: Cooper Corners.
VBAC
Vaginal Birth After Caesarean.
VBIED
Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device
VBT
Very Bad Thing
VC
Depending on context Viet Cong or Venture Capital
VCI
Vapor Phase Corrosion Inhibitive. (A rust preventative desiccant.) VCI products are often produced as a coated paper, for metal parts storage. See also: RIG and Silica Gel.
vCJD
See: Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.
VDC
Volts, Direct Current
VDI
Voltage Drop Index
Vet
Depending on context, short for veteran or veterinarian.
VFD
Volunteer Fire Department
VFR
Visual Flight Rules. See also: IFR.
VHF
Very High Frequency. (Radio and television frequencies in the range 30-300 MHz). In other contexts:Vviral Hemorrhagic Fever.
VIN
Vehicle Idetification Number
VLF
Very Low Frequency. (Radio frequencies in the range 3-30 kHz)
VOA
Voice Of America
VOC
Volatile Organic Compound(s)
VOIP
Voice Over Internet Protocol (Internet telephone service.)
VOM
Volt-Ohm Meter
Vortex
Trade name of a flash hider that uses spirally-milled slots to break up a rifle’;s muzzle flash.
VOX
Voice Operated (Switch). or “;Voice Operated Transmit”;, a 2-way radio feature.
VPN
Virtual Private Network.
VRE
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci.
VW
Volkswagen. (Literally: People’;s Wagon)
VX
A variety of nerve gas.

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W
In most contexts, Watt(s).
WAAS
Wide Area Augmentation System. An array of satellites and ground stations that provide GPS signal corrections. These correcting signals gives a GPS receiver improved position accuracy which averages up to five times better than a non-WAAS or disabled WAAS unit.
WAFA
Wilderness Advanced First Aid
W.A.L.L.S.
Water, Access, Location, Light, and Security. (Acronym coined by Todd Savage.)
WAP
Wireless Access Point
WAPI
Water Pasteurization Indicator
WASP
White Anglo Saxon Protestant.
WC
Depending on context, Water Closet or Wadcutter (ammunition)
WD-1
U.S. military issue two conductor insulated field telephone wire.
WD-40
A commercial spray cleaner/lubricant. Not recommended for most firearms cleaning tasks. Deadens ammunition primers.
WDNNSB Mode
“We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Badges” (Acronym coined by JWR, based on a quote from a famous Humphrey Bogart movie.)
WEP
Wired Equivalent Privacy
Weaver Grip, Weaver Stance
The handgun shooting techniques developed by Jack Weaver in the 1950s and 1960s and widely adopted by law enforcement and the military in the 1980s. The shooter uses a system of hand counter pressure and body alignment to steady a handgun during firing. The shooter uses both hands to hold the gun, the firing hand pushing slightly forward and the other hand placed over the firing hand pulling slightly back. The gun is aimed at an oblique angle to the body almost to the side opposite the “strong” hand, using the “strong” arm bone structure to serve as a form of “stock” for the gun. (Definition courtesy of www.SavvySurvivor.com)
Web Gear
Generic term for tactical load bearing equipment such as pistol belts, Y-harnesses, magazine pouches, vests, and so forth.
WECSOG
Wylie E. Coyote School of Gunsmithing (amateur gunsmithing) Coined at The FALFiles.
WEMSI
Wilderness Emergency Medicine Services Institute
WEMT
or W-EMT. Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician
Wet Gas
See: Casinghead Gas.
WFA
Wilderness First Aid
WFR
Wilderness First Responder. See also: SOAP.
WGA
Writer’s Guild of America
WGS-84
World Geodetic Survey of 1984.
WHO
World Health Organization
WHr
Watt hour(s). A measure of electricity used over time.
WIAGS
When It All Goes Sideways”. (Acronym coined by Shawn Breshears.) 
Wi-Fi
Wireless Fidelity. Used generically when referring of any type of 802.11 network.
Wipe
The final baffling stage of some firearms sound suppressors. The “wipe” is sometimes a perforated sheet of high melting point rubber.
WLC
Warrior Leader Course. The U.S. Army’s leadership development course for junior NCOs. This course replaced PLDC.
WMA
Wilderness Medical Associates
WMD
Weapons of Mass Destruction
WMS
Wilderness Medical Society
WORD
Wide rows, Organic methods, Raised beds and Deep soil
WOT
Depending on context: War on Terror or Wide Open Throttle. See also: TD.
WPA
Works Project Administration. (A make-work program in the US during the Great Depression.)
WROL
Without Rule Of Law. (A lawless situation.)
WRT
With Regard To
WSM
Winchester Short Magnum.
WSSM
Winchester Super Short Magnum.
WTB
Want To Buy
WTC
World Trade Center. One of the sites of the 9/11/01 radical Islamic terrorist attacks. See Also: AQ and OBL.
WTO
World Trade Organization.
WTS
Depending on context Want to Sell or Williams Trigger Specialties
WTSHTF
When the Schumer Hits the Fan. (I formerly said “Stuff” hits the fan, but I think that the implied smell of Congressman Chuck Schumer’s voting record is more descriptive. BTW, I also synonymously use the terms TEOTWAWKI, The Crunch, worst case, and the old military saying “;when the balloon goes up.”; See also: Schumeresque and TEOTWAWKI.
WTT
Want To Trade
WTTF
Want To Trade For
WVO
Waste Vegetable Oil. See also: SVO.
WWCR
World Wide Christian Radio.
WWV
An international shortwave radio time coordination station, in Fort Collins, Colorado, operated by the NIST.
WWVH
An international shortwave radio time coordination station, in Hawaii, operated by the NIST.
WWI
World War I
WWII
World War II
WWF
Depending on context, World Wildlife Fund or World Wresting Federation–later changed to the World Wresting Entertaininment (WWE).
WWWF
Weapon, Web gear, Water, and Food. (Acronym coined by FDG.)
WYSIWYG
What You See Is What You Get. (Spoken: “Wis-see-wig.”)
WX
Weather. The designated U.S. Weather Service frequencies are often called WX channels. These are between 162.400 MHz and 162.550 MHz. See also: USWS.

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X
In the tactical realm, “The X” means the danger area, the line of attack, the place where the grenades are landing, the bullets are zipping through, and the bombs are going off. Small unit soldiers often say “get out of the X” or “Get off the x” The only place you want to be on the X involves a treasure map, otherwise you are in grave danger. (Definition courtesy of http://getoffthex.com/.)
XD
Extreme Duty. Most often refers to the excellent Springfield Armory polymer frame autopistols imported from Croatia.
XDR-TB
Extensively Drug Resistant Tuberculosis. See also: MDR-TB.
XM
Experimental Model
XM177E2
See: M4

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Y
 
Y2K
Year 2000 (Coined by David Eddy). The scare associated with the millennial (“;Year 2000”;) date change that took place at 0001/01/01/2000.
Y2Y
Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative.
YAMA
You Are Much Appeciated.
YARP
Yet Another Reason to Prepare. (Coined by Lisa Bedford of the Survival Mom blog.)
YBIC
Your Brother In Christ
YHWH
Yahweh (Jehovah.)
YMCA
Young Men’s Christian Association
YMMV
Your Mileage May Vary. Commonly used to describe procedures with variable results. This also means “Try this at your own risk.”
Yob
An aggressive, rowdy, and/or violent young man. (UK slang.) Possibly derived from “boy” spelled backwards. See also: ASBO.
Yooper
See: U.P.
YOPI
The acronym used by healthcare providers to summarize those at greatest risk of great harm or death because of disease: Younger than 5 years old, Older than 65 years old, Pregnant, and Immune-compromised.
YOYO
You’re On Your Own. (When government ceases to provide essential services such as fire department and police department protection, and when utilities no longer provide water, sanitation, electricity and phone service.) Acronym coined by David Weed.
Yuppie Survivalist
A term of derision used to describe any survivalist who makes more than minimum wage. JWR has been branded a Yuppie Survivalist by at least two other bloggers.

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Z
 
Zener Diodes
See: EMP.
Zeroing, Zeroed
The process of adjusting a weapon’s elevation and windage to an individual user so that a firearm, when fired, will hit the point of aim. A rifle is said to be “;zeroed”; when this is done. (Definition courtesy of The FALFiles.)
Zero Time
A complete restoration of a vehicle (bringing it back to like-new condition, i.e. “Zero time on the meter.”)
ZIRP
Zero Interest Rate Policy.
Zulu Time
The time at Greenwich, England. Also known as Greenwich Mean Time, Coordinated Universal Time and Zulu Time. Note that Eastern Standard Time (EST) in USA is minus (-) 5 hours from Zulu time.

Did I miss listing any acronyms that I’ve used in the blog? If so, please contact us.