Do you suffer from G.A.S. (Goofy Acronym Syndrome)?

Sometimes abbreviations can be short on sense and long on unintended laughter

Worse than an unfortunate typo are new company programs or departments that have embarrassing acronyms. Communicators on MyRagan offered a few examples from their companies. Take a look.

• For several years we had an Environmental Advisory Team and a Safety (and) Health Advisory Team.

• Our employee appraisal system is called the Performance Management System.

• After reorganization, we had the newly minted Facilities and Business Services division. Within a week employees shortened it to F’n BS, and management quickly changed the name to Business Workplace Services.

• At Barnes-Jewish Hospital, we are scrupulous about making sure the crucial letter—the “H”—is used in any acronym including the hospital name. (BJH public relations, BJH Transplant Center). So when a local cafe offered to donate half of their proceeds, we were able to stop the release they wrote before it was sent: “BJ Day at Companion Café.” (Although, who knows what kind of turn out we would have had.)