Arch wrote:

Acronyms and abbreviations are used to make insiders feel important and
inside the loop. Witness government, sports etc. Most of woodturning's
googely-gook come from early internet and packet usage and there are
glossaries available on the net.


I think it's more like shorthand - a quick way to communicate
and cuts down on typing. It's a lot easier to use CMS for
compound miter saw and SCMS for sliding compound miter
saw. BLO is quicker than typing boiled linseed oil.

Imagine what this place would be like if you had to provide
the definition/ description of many of the unique terms
in lathe turning - two spur, four spur or stebb center (sp?),
live center, cup center etc..

In most cases, the person who uses an acronym will
provide its meaning if asked - we are all trying to
communicate here (well, like any newsgroup, there
are exceptions). It's not illegal to ask for an explanation
when there's something you don't understand.

charlie b