[blml] abbreviations [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

[richard.hills at immi.gov.au]

>>I have been wondering what NB is.

>New Brunswick, of course!
>
>Actually, I find it a little silly that people are asking "What does
>this abbreviation mean" and not even giving us an iota of context
>that would help us answer, as if these abbreviations just float
>around through space all by themselves.  Where have you seen it, and
>is it in a place where it can't have the standard Latin/English
>meaning (nota bene)?
>
>                                -- Adam

Most of the world uses the word "Pass" or the abbreviation "P", but
there is a British idiosyncratic habit to use the phrase "No bid" and
the abbreviation "NB".

This idiosyncrasy dates back to the time of spoken bidding, since in
the Oxbridge accent "Pass" was a homophone of "Hearts".

Best wishes

Richard James Hills, amicus curiae
National Training Branch, DIAC
02 6225 6285

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