From GPS to Scuba: Military Abbreviations in Everyday English
Did you know that the word "Jeep" originally comes from military vehicles? It is thought to have come from "GP," an abbreviation for "General Purpose" or "Government Purposes." Eventually, "GP" was changed to "Jeep," and the name became common after World War II.
This is just one example of the many words and abbreviations that started in the military but are now used in everyday life. In this article, we'll highlight 10 more just like this!
Military abbreviations commonly used in everyday English
AWOL (Absent Without Leave)
AWOL refers to a person who is absent from an assignment or location without proper permission. It is used in daily conversation to refer to anyone who is not present somewhere they are supposed to be.
Note that unlike some other abbreviations on this list, this is pronounced like a word (sounding similar to "ay-wall"), not as individual letters.
John didn't show up for work today, and he didn't inform his supervisor, so he's gone AWOL.
POW (Prisoner of War)
POW stands for "Prisoner of War" and refers to a person who is captured and held by the enemy during a battle. In everyday English, it is sometimes used when people feel trapped in a difficult situation.
This is pronounced by saying each individual letter — "pow" has a completely different meaning!
After working late every day for a month, I feel like a POW in this difficult project.
MIA (Missing in Action)
This is an abbreviation that refers to a person whose location is unknown, especially in military or emergency situations. Say each letter individually to pronounce it correctly.
John has been MIA for the past three days, and his colleagues are starting to get worried about him.
SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics)
SWAT is a term used to describe a group of people with special training who are called to deal with unique and very dangerous situations.
The SWAT team was called in to handle the hostage situation.
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
PTSD stands for "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder," a psychological condition that can develop after someone experiences or sees a shocking event.
Although PTSD was originally associated with soldiers who had returned from war, it is now used to refer to any traumatic event, including accidents, natural disasters and violence.
The doctor said he was suffering from PTSD after surviving the crash.
Military abbreviations in technology
Next, let's take a look at abbreviations related to technology that originated in the military.
GPS (Global Positioning System)
GPS is a satellite-based navigation system used to find exact locations and provide accurate navigation instructions.
I use GPS to help me find my way through neighborhoods I don't know very well.
LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation)
A laser is a device that shoots a focused beam of light. Although it was originally developed for the military, it is now commonly used in a variety of ways, such as for surgery, barcode scanning, and for different kinds of entertainment.
I use a laser pointer during my presentation to highlight important points on the slides.
RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging)
Radar is a technology that uses radio waves to recognize and track objects. Radar originated in the military, but it is also widely used in many different ways for everyday people, including in weather forecasting, air traffic control and for navigation systems.
The top-secret spy plane doesn't appear on the radar.
SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging)
Sonar's function is similar to radar, except that its technology uses sound waves to locate objects in water.
The submarine used sonar to move safely through the deep ocean and find enemy ships.
SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus)
Scuba is a diving system that allows divers to breathe underwater using a portable air supply carried on their backs. Although it was not originally developed by the military, it is used by both soldiers and regular divers.
My friend loves exploring marine life, so she got her scuba certification and now goes diving in exotic places.
Wrap-up
Words and abbreviations used in everyday English often have surprising backgrounds. This time, we introduced some that come from military terms, but there are many more. Of course, it is useful to know the terms themselves, but also understanding the background can help you to impress your friends — many native speakers don't know this information!
