Acronyms – How Do We Know What They Stand For?

The Oxford English Dictionary (acronym 'OED'), have announced their Word of the Year.

It's GIF - acronym 'Graphic Interchange Format.'
So popular these days, it now can be used as a verb.
Hooray!

Now knowing that, my mind began to wander, somewhat like a circus scene in the mind of Homer Simpson, thinking "how on Earth are we expected to know what those abbreviations stand for?"

If I asked a room full of people what GIF stands for, or for that matter what a GIF is, would they all know?
I'm guessing no.

I'm sure you've seen many abbreviations and acronyms, wondering what exactly they stand for.
And that's why I'm here to help, or at least point you in the right direction.

After much research (note: internet search, because it's so easy), I found a site called The Free Dictionary that can solve the riddle on acronyms, abbreviations, Idioms and so much more.
Idioms, not Idiots, funny guy.

One thing I found a bit confusing - some acronyms are assigned to several abbreviations.
What's up with that?

Try it for yourself.
Type in an abbreviation or acronym, and presto, you will have your answer, and can now impress your family, friends and co-workers with your supposed knowledge.
Works for me.