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THERE'S NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN

Collected by
Brian Grainger

brian@grainger1.freeserve.co.uk

It is easy to suppose in our increasingly rapid changing technological world, especially by the young, that things like abbreviating messages to save the time on creating text messages is a new skill. Not so, as this exchange culled from the 'Over to You' section of the Daily Telegraph shows.
(Editorial note: You may have to register with the Daily Telegraph to view the link above).

Request from Pru
While trying to convince my 12-year-old "know-all" granddaughter that there was nothing new under the sun, I pointed out that many years ago, long before computers and mobile phones, we used a form of text messaging on Telex machines to "chat" to other Telex users, but I couldn't remember any examples. Can anyone help me out, to prove to her that I'm not going senile?

Reply
In 1941 and probably a lot earlier, GPO telegraphists used shorthand on personal chat messages on teleprinters. These were against the rules. If intercepted the message would be gummed up on a telegram form and the culprit would be charged for the message at the telegram rate of a penny a word. Unfortunately, the only one I can remember is BLX and I assume that, as a lady, Pru will not know what that means. If she does, I wish her luck explaining it to her granddaughter!

I also found the following abbreviations, probably used by service personnel, amusing:

This nostalgia fest triggered my own personal memories of the age before e-mail when 'our boys' were parted from their loved ones and used to send snail mail, or letters as we used to call them. Abbreviations used to be placed on the front of the envelope to convey various messages.

First there was the instruction to the delivery agent:

PPDGSGLEGMG

Bearing in mind this comes from the 1950s, it means:

Postman, postman, don't go slow. Go like Elvis. Go, Man, Go!

Then came the most important sentiments, which must be expressed and read before the letter is opened:

Finally, again on the geographical theme, came the rather more direct imperative:

Don't you think the instantaneous nature of text messaging has killed romance!

If you want to see a more comprehensive list of such items then go to the site which is trying to preserve them at:
http://www.swalk.com/swalk.htm

Another couple of interesting sites which, apart from some those listed here, include some acronyms of a more general nature:
http://www.quinion.com/words/articles/acronyms.htm
http://www.businessballs.com/acronyms.htm

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