# PWUA (People Who Use Acronyms) and terms they assume people will know (spoiler: they don't) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 21, 2019, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030 "2019-08-21T23:32:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/101 "2019-08-29T19:35:04Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > I always thought it was “Smack my head.” :smack: Either way you’re expressing disapproval, usually over something foolish, so it works. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/102 "2019-08-29T20:19:07Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Either way you’re expressing disapproval, usually over something foolish, so it works. Smack is a little more emphatic, but also has an undertone of self-deprecation that Shake lacks. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/103 "2020-12-25T22:12:32Z")
Bumped. Anyone know what these Hollywood acronyms mean? Google and Wiki have failed me. From the production notes for the American dub of Miyazaki’s _Castle in the Sky_: MNS, BTC and OWC. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/104 "2020-12-25T22:29:28Z")
MNS can mean minutes, is that how long the film is, or a scene? Is there a number in front of it? ---
**Author:** ![gdave](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gdave/32/3683_2.png) [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2020, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/105 "2020-12-26T01:45:25Z")
I found a couple of references online to “MNS”. It’s a voice-over/dubbing notation that means “Mouth Not Shown/Seen”. I couldn’t find the others (it doesn’t help trying to google BTC that its the common abbreviation for bitcoin). I’d bet that BTC and OWC are similar notations. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2020, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/106 "2020-12-26T10:45:53Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > BTC Maybe BTC is Betacam. It seems to be a video format, as listed [here](https://drvstudio.com/services/) and SP is mentioned as an option in the Wikipedia page for [Betacam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betacam). ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2020, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/107 "2020-12-26T10:59:49Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > OWC Perhaps the movie was restored? There’s a mention of OWC in this story about Godfather III. > **[Restoring Godfather III: American Zoetrope and OWC](https://eshop.macsales.com/blog/68909-restoring-godfather-iii-american-zoetrope-and-owc/)** > > How the archival team of American Zoetrope used OWC gear to help bring new life to Godfather III. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2020, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/108 "2020-12-26T12:49:05Z")
Thanks, all. “Mouth Not Shown” makes sense, in context. There wasn’t a number in front of “MNS.” The movie wasn’t restored. ---
**Author:** ![gdave](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gdave/32/3683_2.png) [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2020, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/109 "2020-12-26T13:24:56Z")
Do BTC and OWC make sense in context as similar character notes? The other notations I found were OM = Open Mouth, CM = Closed Mouth, and CT = Clenched Teeth. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2020, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/110 "2020-12-29T02:35:48Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > OWC. Other World Computing. > **[MacSales.com - About Us](https://eshop.macsales.com/about-us)** > > Since 1988, MacSales.com has provided hardware upgrades and expansion products compatible with Apple computers and iOS devices. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2020, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/111 "2020-12-29T04:45:13Z")
> [@gdave](#): > > Do BTC and OWC make sense in context as similar character notes?.. > [@SCAdian](#): > > Other World Computing. > > [MacSales.com - About Us](https://www.owcdigital.com/company/) No, none seem to fit, in context. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2020, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/112 "2020-12-29T04:56:07Z")
Are you saying the company’s name doesn’t fit, in context? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2020, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/113 "2020-12-29T04:58:09Z")
Yes, I am. The English dub of the movie was done in 1998, apparently before that company was established, and I see no evidence that it played any role in the process. ---
**Author:** ![gdave](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gdave/32/3683_2.png) [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2020, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/114 "2020-12-29T12:51:34Z")
Can you give us the context? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2020, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/115 "2020-12-30T15:25:52Z")
Here are some examples: _Pazu (His BTC) You’re sure that’s all you remember?_ _Pazu (His BTC, disgusted) What a greedy pack of thieves._ _Dola (Her BTC) I must have that crystal!_ And I was wrong, it’s not OWC, it’s OWS (which I also couldn’t figure out through Google or Wiki). There’s just one example of it: _Pazu: (Sips, OWS, blows on his tea)_ ---
**Author:** ![gdave](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gdave/32/3683_2.png) [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2020, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/116 "2020-12-30T15:47:25Z")
From context, BTC = Back To Camera? OWS = Open (mouth) With Smile? That doesn’t really fit, but I’d bet something along those lines. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2020, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/117 "2020-12-30T16:25:29Z")
When I was editing news pieces, my rule was “If an acronym has to be explicitly defined, don’t use it.” I allowed only those acronyms that were so common that the vast majority of readers would know it already. Exceptions were articles in which the acronym itself was somehow important, and it absolutely had to be explained. When I was editing legal documents, my fellow lawyers pissed me off all the time … for clarity’s sake when you introduce an acronym or any kind of abbreviation, you should define it, lest a court later find it to be ambiguous. But they would invent _unnecessary fucking acronyms_. For example, a simple contract with only two parties, say (making these up) “Smithport Ham Products Company Incorporated” and “North Country Pork Products Supply LLP.” They would pull shit like _Smithport Ham Products Company Incorporated (“SHPCI”) and North Country Pork Products Supply LLP (“NCPPSLLP”)._ **No!** No fucking way. Call them “Smithport” (or “Smithport Ham”) and “North Country” (or “North Country Pork”). Do not _invent unnecessary acronyms_. Fucking idiots. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2020, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/118 "2020-12-30T16:32:40Z")
While I can understand non-Americans not understanding, say, “PA”, would they really get any more understanding from “Pennsylvania”? For comparison, while I know that, say, “Worchestershire” is a part of the UK, I don’t know where in the UK it is, its demographics, its political leanings, its location relative to other shires, etc. Even with the full spelled-out name, I’m not getting any meaningful information from it. ---
**Author:** ![Keith1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6de8d8/32.png) [@Keith1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keith1)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2020, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/119 "2020-12-30T16:47:19Z")
It’s been a few years now since I’ve stopped paying attention to, or even acknowledging acronyms, initialisms and the like. I think for me was when Kentucky Fried Chicken became KFC. My immediate thought was, Why? It’s become so bad/prevalent that we can no longer read an article without a reference manual next to us to look up all these pointless initials - and most are initialism, not acronyms. I stopped bothering a long time ago. Regardless, it’s all nothing more than an abomination of the English language - or any language. Just the other day when I called to question an overcharge on my cable bill (I’ll spare you details. Enough to say an ‘agreement’ is meaningless when it comes to them increasing prices. But I digress). She wanted my pin, and pronounced it the same as the word pin. As in the thing you find by the hundreds when you unwrap a new dress shirt. I didn’t know what the hell she was talking about. She obviously didn’t either because when I asked what the hell she was talking about, she couldn’t explain. It then hit me that she meant Personal Identification Number. I honestly do not think she had any idea what PIN in fact stood for because during our conversation it became apparent she was quite young and I suspect that to her, PIN was actually a word and that was the end of it. In her world Personal Identification Number didn’t exist. To her it’s PIN or nothing. We live in f–ked up times. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2020, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030/120 "2020-12-30T17:20:54Z")
> [@gdave](#): > > From context, BTC = Back To Camera? > > OWS = Open (mouth) With Smile? That doesn’t really fit, but I’d bet something along those lines. That makes sense - thanks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwua-people-who-use-acronyms-and-terms-they-assume-people-will-know-spoiler-they-dont/839030.md?page=7)