# Typist code: what does "m" mean?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typist-code-what-does-m-mean/348544
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [March 16, 2006, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typist-code-what-does-m-mean/348544 "2006-03-16T01:09:03Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@newquebec](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newquebec)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2006, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typist-code-what-does-m-mean/348544/1 "2006-03-16T01:09:03Z")
What does the typist code “m” mean after the writer’s name? For instance:
```
BS/m
```
where BS is the name of the author of the letter
---
### Author:  [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2006, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typist-code-what-does-m-mean/348544/2 "2006-03-16T01:17:00Z")
> [@newquebec](#):
>
> What does the typist code “m” mean after the writer’s name? For instance:
>
> ```
> BS/m
>
> ```
>
> where BS is the name of the author of the letter
The initial of the secretary who took the letter in dictation and/or typed it.
I guess if there is a typo, the boss knows who to blame. 🙂
---
### Author:  [@newquebec](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newquebec)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2006, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typist-code-what-does-m-mean/348544/3 "2006-03-16T02:44:20Z")
But why would it only be one initial? Isn’t it usually two letters? That’s wht I was asking. I was wondering if “m” meant “me” or something like that. For instance, what would you type if you typed your own letter?
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### Author:  [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2006, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typist-code-what-does-m-mean/348544/4 "2006-03-16T03:16:36Z")
> [@newquebec](#):
>
> For instance, what would you type if you typed your own letter?
There wouldn’t be anything, because if you type your own letter, you don’t need to keep track of who dictated it versus who typed it.
---
### Author:  [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2006, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typist-code-what-does-m-mean/348544/5 "2006-03-16T03:46:33Z")
As mentioned, it does seem that the first initials are the letter-writer’s initials (capped), while the second initial(s) belong to the typist:
> [@](#):
>
> REFERENCE INITIALS:
>
> Action By: Typist
>
> Action:
>
> 7.14 Type two lines below the complimentary closing.
>
> 7.14.1 Identify only the signer (CAPS) and the typist (lower case). (Indicate the author’s name on the tracking form.)
>
> 7.14.2 Show only two sets of initials. For example: GL:amn.
[http://www.metrokc.gov/recelec/archives/policies/inf141ae.htm](http://www.metrokc.gov/recelec/archives/policies/inf141ae.htm)
At least according to King County.
Why only one initial? Perhaps the typing pool is quite small in that office–you know to look for either (M)ary or (S)teven, because no one else would have typed it.
---
### Author:  [@MaryEFoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaryEFoo)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2006, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typist-code-what-does-m-mean/348544/6 "2006-03-16T06:58:28Z")
I heard once that if BS typed it, it would be: BS/hs
meaning BS by **h** er/him **s** elf
And I agree with toadspittle about the small typing pool.