New client in a new industry? Here’s how not to feel clueless in your next meeting

If you have ever been in a meeting or Slack channel where someone starts rambling off abbreviations and industry jargon, and you haven’t a clue what they’re talking about, then this guide should help you handle those situations. At the end of the report, you’ll even be able to test your knowledge.

As the world of work changes, we all must adapt to artificial intelligence and any jargon that comes with it. Plus, as previously reported by The Freelance Informer, we will be working more in tandem with other departments and projects rather working than in silos. That means we will all be learning more lingo.

No more nodding sagely while secretly Googling “AGI meaning” on your mobile under the table.

Decoding the jargon jungle

Stepping into a new industry as a freelancer is exciting. It is expanding your expertise for your portfolio, yet it will likely be a minefield of baffling abbreviations.

One minute, for example, you’re confidently discussing your killer content strategy, the next you’re blinking blankly at a request from marketing to “optimise the SEO for the RTW collection landing page”. It’s like trying to understand cricket commentary after only ever watching tiddlywinks.

Have a meeting with a client’s cybersecurity team? Brace yourself for talk of DDoS attacks (Distributed Denial of Service attacks), MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication), and the importance of a robust WAF (Web Application Firewall). You don’t want to think APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) refers to a cosy flat.

You may even find an abbreviation can stand for two different things.. Here’s an example: SME (Small to Medium-Sized Enterprise) v. SME ( Subject Matter Expert).

However, if you are messaging with clients or their teams over messaging or in Slack channels, for example, people may turn to abbreviations also used on social media. Let’s start with those abbreviations first before going into those used in specific business sectors.

Just when you think you know what “FB” means…

Website design agency ProfileTree gathered a list of acronyms most commonly used on social media, such as ‘FYI’ and ‘LOL’. They analysed the monthly search volume of each acronym with search terms like ‘what does FYI mean’ and ranked these from highest to lowest searches to reveal the top 10 most confusing.

The acronym ‘FB’, commonly used online, is considered the most confusing abbreviation on social media. The acronym stands for ‘Follow Back’, commonly used when someone asks for a ‘FB?’ or ‘follow back’ on social media. It could also refer to the social media platform ‘Facebook’ but is more commonly known as ‘follow back’. People in Edinburgh search for this acronym the most, with 2,283.86 monthly searches on average per 100,000 people.

In second place is the abbreviation ‘TIME’, with a staggering 212,240 monthly searches. This acronym stands for ‘Tears In My Eyes’, which is an emotional indicator, similar to the way someone would use an emoji to express they are moved or touched by something. Peterborough residents are wondering what ‘TIME’ means the most, with 3,163.36 monthly searches per 100,000 people.

‘ATM’ is in third place. That’s not ‘ATM’, the cash machines, it’s ‘At The Moment’ on social media. Edinburgh residents are trying to define this acronym the most, searching for it 783.02 times a month per 100,000 residents.

‘BB’ is in fourth place, and a term of endearment, meaning ‘baby’. When someone is gushing over a pet, partner or friend online, they often refer to them as ‘bb’. People in Oxford are most confused by this term, searching 667.68 times a month per 100,000 residents.

‘DL’ is in fifth place, meaning for ‘Down-Low’, used when someone wants something to be kept on the ‘dl’ or ‘down-low’, for example. Londoners want to know what ‘DL’ means the most, searching for its meaning 460.65 times a month per 100,000 people.

In sixth place is ‘MSG’, which is a shorter and easier way to type ‘Message’. Plymouth residents are most confused by this term, searching for it 252.85 times a month per 100,000 people.

The classic ‘LOL’ is in seventh place. Despite being one of the most well-known social media acronyms, this term still confuses people. ‘LOL’ stands for ‘Laughing Out Loud’ and is commonly used to indicate laughter or that something is funny, often in the place of ‘haha’. Coventry searches for this acronym the most, with 291.43 monthly searches per 100,000 residents.

‘AMA’ is the eighth most confusing social media acronym, and stands for ‘Ask Me Anything’, and searchers have likely seen this being used on streams or posts by their favourite influencers and celebrities. Again, it is Oxford residents who are most confused by this term, searching 345.67 times a month per 100,000 residents.

‘GG’ ranks tenth, accumulating 44,624 monthly searches for its definition. This acronym stands for ‘Good Game’, originating from gamers showing good sportsmanship to each other online. It is also used to say congratulations, praise someone, or even be used sarcastically to mock a losing player or brag about a victory. Slough is searching for this term the most, with 179.80 monthly searches per 100,000 residents.

In tenth place is ‘BBL’, with 39,801 monthly searches for its meaning. ‘BBL’ is not an indication of emotion or expression, instead it stands for ‘Brazilian Butt Lift’, which has become a big topic on social media, and of course the subject of many memes as well. It could also be used to say ‘Be Back Later’ in a text, which only adds to the confusion.

“These findings give us an interesting insight into the weird and wonderful world of social media and its most loved abbreviations,” says Ciaran Connolly, Founder of ProfileTree,

“Acronyms like ‘LOL’ and ‘ATM’ have been around since the start of messaging abbreviations, with LOL being recognised as a word and put into the Oxford English Dictionary in 2011. This shows that internet culture and silly words made up by internet communities shape our real world. In fact, the terms ‘rizz’ and ‘brain rot’, both originating from social media, were Oxford University Press’ Words of the Year in 2023 and 2024.”

Abbreviation spotting: A crash course

Before that crucial client call or diving into their Slack channel, do a bit of digging. Scan their website, recent articles about them, and industry publications. Jot down any repeated short forms. Then, unleash your inner detective (aka, search engines Google and AI large language models including Chat GPT, Gemini or Claude).

Let’s take a peek at some of the linguistic landmines by role and/or industry to show you what we mean.

We offer an abbreviation key later in the report by industry so you can test your jargon knowledge right away:

Finance: You might hear about complex instruments like CDOs (Collateralised Debt Obligations) or regulatory bodies like the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority)

Technology: Discussions around cloud computing alone can throw up a plethora of terms like IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) and SLA (Service Level Agreement)  

Tech/AI: Imagine a client asking about improving their LLM with better RLHF. Or discussing the API integration for their new SaaS product.

Project Management: Be ready for talk of WBS (Work Breakdown Structure), KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), Gantt Chart and whether the project is performing efficiently on the CPI (Cost Performance Index)

Editing/Copywriting: You might be asked to check the MS (manuscript) for TYPOs (typographical errors) or ensure a strong CTA (call to action). Knowing your i.e. (an abbreviation for the Latin phrase “id est,” which translates to that is or in other words) from your e.g. (an abbreviation for the Latin phrase “exempli gratia,” which translates to “for example.” It is used to introduce one or more examples)

Legal: Discussions could involve the CPR (Civil Procedure Rules), a recent EWCA Civ ruling (England and Wales Court of Appeal (Civil Division), or the difference between a Ltd.( Private Limited Company )and a PLC Public Limited Company ). QC (Queen’s Counsel or King’s Counsel – KC – when the reigning monarch is male)

Marketing/Advertising: You’ll likely encounter requests to boost CTR (Click-Through Rate), analyse SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and develop a compelling USP (Unique Selling Proposition).

Don’t be afraid to ask

When all else fails, don’t be afraid to politely ask for clarification. A simple, “Excuse for my ignorance, but could you just spell out what you mean by [acronym]?” Or by [acronym] you mean…?” This approach is far better than nodding along and then delivering something completely off-kilter. Most clients will appreciate your honesty and desire to understand. It also highlights when someone is trying to make something sound much more complicated than necessary.

Don’t let a few bewildering abbreviations throw you off course. With a bit of preparation and the courage to ask, you’ll be fluent in their lingo in no time.

The article continues below, where you can test your knowledge.

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The Abbreviation Heavyweight Championship

Which industry reigns supreme in the land of linguistic shortcuts? While it’s not an exact science, the finance, technology and project management sectors often seem to generate the most abbreviations.

Their need for precise, technical communication and the sheer volume of concepts often leads to a fog of acronyms.

Below, we have highlighted examples by industry so you can test your knowledge. Some you might already know. Feel free to create a spreadsheet so you’re never caught off guard again. Please note that many terms are in US spelling. For some definitions, you may need to even search what the definitions/functions do if not self-explanatory.

If you would like us to add an industry and its related abbreviations, please drop your request in the comments.

Feel free to scroll to the industries most relevant to your clients, or become a champion in more than one.

General Tech Industry Abbreviations:

• API: Application Programming Interface
• CPU: Central Processing Unit
• DNS: Domain Name System
• GUI: Graphical User Interface
• HTML: HyperText Markup Language
• HTTP: Hypertext Transfer Protocol  
• HTTPS: Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure  
• IP: Internet Protocol
• IT: Information Technology
• LAN: Local Area Network
• OS: Operating System
• RAM: Random Access Memory
• SaaS: Software as a Service
• SQL: Structured Query Language
• SSD: Solid State Drive
• UI: User Interface
• URL: Uniform Resource Locator
• VPN: Virtual Private Network
• WAN: Wide Area Network
• Wi-Fi: Wireless Fidelity
• XML: Extensible Markup Language

Software & Applications:

• API: Application Programming Interface (set of rules for software components to interact)
• UI: User Interface (how users interact with a system)
• GUI: Graphical User Interface (UI using visual elements)
• CLI: Command Line Interface (UI using text-based commands)
• OS: Operating System (software that manages computer hardware and software)
• DBMS: Database Management System (software for managing databases)
• SQL: Structured Query Language (language for managing databases)
• SaaS: Software as a Service (software delivered over the internet)
• PaaS: Platform as a Service (cloud platform for developing and running applications)
• IaaS: Infrastructure as a Service (cloud infrastructure components like servers and storage)

Security:

• VPN: Virtual Private Network (secure, encrypted network connection)
• Firewall: Network security system that controls incoming and outgoing traffic
• IDS: Intrusion Detection System (monitors network for malicious activity)
• IPS: Intrusion Prevention System (actively blocks malicious activity)
• SSL: Secure Sockets Layer (cryptographic protocol for secure communication – largely replaced by TLS)
• TLS: Transport Layer Security (updated cryptographic protocol for secure communication)
• MFA: Multi-Factor Authentication (security requiring multiple verification methods)
• 2FA: Two-Factor Authentication (security requiring two verification methods)

IT Management & Operations:

• ITSM: IT Service Management (managing IT services to meet business needs)
• ITIL: IT Infrastructure Library (framework of best practices for ITSM)
• SLA: Service Level Agreement (contract defining the level of service provided)
• MSP: Managed Service Provider (company that remotely manages IT services)
• RMM: Remote Monitoring and Management (tools used by MSPs)
• PSA: Professional Services Automation (software for managing service-based businesses)

File Formats & Standards:

• PDF: Portable Document Format
• HTML: HyperText Markup Language (markup language for web pages)
• XML: Extensible Markup Language (markup language for data exchange)
• JPEG/JPG: Joint Photographic Experts Group (image format)
• PNG: Portable Network Graphics (image format)
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Specific Abbreviations:
• AI: Artificial Intelligence
• AGI: Artificial General Intelligence
• ASI: Artificial Superintelligence
• DL: Deep Learning
• GAN: Generative Adversarial Network
• GPT: Generative Pre-trained Transformer
• LLM: Large Language Model
• ML: Machine Learning
• NLP: Natural Language Processing
• RAG: Retrieval-Augmented Generation
• RL: Reinforcement Learning
• RLHF: Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback
• XAI: Explainable AI

Related and Overlapping Abbreviations (often used in both tech and AI):

• IoT: Internet of Things
• MLOps: Machine Learning Operations
• OCR: Optical Character Recognition
• RPA: Robotic Process Automation
• Cybersecurity Abbreviations:
• AV: Anti-Virus
• APT: Advanced Persistent Threat
• BYOD: Bring Your Own Device
• CASB: Cloud Access Security Broker
• CISO: Chief Information Security Officer
• CSP: Content Security Policy
• DLP: Data Loss Prevention
• DDoS: Distributed Denial of Service
• EDR: Endpoint Detection and Response
• IAM: Identity and Access Management
• IDS: Intrusion Detection System
• IPS: Intrusion Prevention System
• IoT: Internet of Things
• IR: Incident Response
• MFA: Multi-Factor Authentication
• NAC: Network Access Control
• OSINT: Open Source Intelligence
• Pen Test: Penetration Test

Ransomware: Type of malicious software

• SIEM: Security Information and Event Management
• SOC: Security Operations Center
• SOAR: Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response
• Threat Intel: Threat Intelligence
• VPN: Virtual Private Network
• WAF: Web Application Firewall
• XSS: Cross-Site Scripting

Financial Abbreviations:

• AML: Anti-Money Laundering
• CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate
• CAPEX: Capital Expenditure
• CFO: Chief Financial Officer
• CPI: Consumer Price Index
• EPS: Earnings Per Share
• EBITDA: Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization
• FIFO: First-In, First-Out (inventory accounting)
• FY: Fiscal Year
• GAAP: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
• GDP: Gross Domestic Product
• IPO: Initial Public Offering
• IRR: Internal Rate of Return
• KYC: Know Your Customer
• LIFO: Last-In, First-Out (inventory accounting – less common)
• M&A: Mergers and Acquisitions
• NAV: Net Asset Value
• NPV: Net Present Value
• P&L: Profit and Loss Statement
• ROI: Return on Investment
• SME: Small and Medium-sized Enterprise
• VAT: Value Added Tax
• YTD: Year-to-Date

Project Management Terms:

• PM: Project Manager (the most obvious one!)
• PMO: Project Management Office (department standardizing project-related governance)
• WBS: Work Breakdown Structure (hierarchical decomposition of project tasks)
• SoW: Statement of Work (document outlining the scope of work)
• KPI: Key Performance Indicator (measurable value showing progress)
• OKR: Objectives and Key Results (goal-setting framework)
• Gantt Chart: Type of bar chart illustrating a project schedule
• PERT Chart: Programme Evaluation and Review Technique chart (network diagram showing task dependencies)
• RAID Log: Risks, Assumptions, Issues, and Dependencies Log
• RACI Matrix: Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed matrix (roles and responsibilities)
• MoSCoW: Must have, Should have, Could have, Won’t have (prioritization technique)
• SMART Goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound goals
• Agile: Iterative and incremental approach to project management
• Scrum: Framework within Agile for managing product development
• Sprint: Short, time-boxed period in Scrum to complete specific work
• Backlog: Prioritized list of work items for a project or sprint
• Kanban: Visual workflow management method
• MVP: Minimum Viable Product (version of a product with just enough features)
• ROI: Return on Investment (profitability metric)
• IRR: Internal Rate of Return (discount rate making net present value zero)
• NPV: Net Present Value (present value of all future cash flows)
• EVM: Earned Value Management (technique for measuring project performance)
• CPI: Cost Performance Index (measure of cost efficiency)
• SPI: Schedule Performance Index (measure of schedule efficiency)
• VAC: Variance at Completion (projected cost or schedule variance at the end)

Related Business & Team Terms:

• Stakeholder: Individual or group with an interest in the project
• SME: Subject Matter Expert (person with deep knowledge in a specific area)
• BA: Business Analyst (person analysing business needs and proposing solutions)
• QA: Quality Assurance (ensuring the project deliverables meet standards)
• Dev: Development (team responsible for building the product)
• Ops: Operations (team responsible for running and maintaining systems)

Certifications & Methodologies (often abbreviated):

• PMP: Project Management Professional (certification by PMI)
• PMI: Project Management Institute (global professional organization for PMs)
• PRINCE2: Projects IN Controlled Environments (structured project management method)
• CSM: Certified ScrumMaster (certification for Scrum practitioners)
• CSPO: Certified Scrum Product Owner (certification for Scrum product owners)

Abbreviations Used by Editors and Copywriters:

• Ed.: Editor
• Assoc. Ed.: Associate Editor
• Mng. Ed.: Managing Editor
• Copy Ed.: Copy Editor
• Proof: Proofreader
• MS: Manuscript (plural MSS)
• TYPO: Typographical error
• TK: To Come (placeholder for information to be added later)
• AU: Author
• PUB: Publisher
• ISBN: International Standard Book Number
• ISSN: International Standard Serial Number
• URL: Uniform Resource Locator (also used in tech, but relevant for online content)
• SEO: Search Engine Optimization (crucial for online copywriting)
• CTA: Call To Action (key element in marketing copy)
• USP: Unique Selling Proposition (what makes a product/service stand out)
• WIP: Work In Progress
• FYI: For Your Information (common in general communication but used in editorial workflows)
• NB: Nota Bene (note well – used for important reminders)
• e.g.: exempli gratia (for example)
• i.e.: id est (that is)
• etc.: et cetera (and so forth)

Abbreviations Used by Solicitors (Lawyers):

• Esq.: Esquire (courtesy title, usually after a male solicitor’s name)
• QC: Queen’s Counsel (senior barristers, now King’s Counsel – KC)
• KC: King’s Counsel (senior barristers)
• J.P.: Justice of the Peace
• CJ: Chief Justice
• LJ: Lord Justice
• HHJ: His/Her Honour Judge
• DJ: District Judge
• MR: Master of the Rolls
• AG: Attorney General
• DPP: Director of Public Prosecutions
• UKSC: United Kingdom Supreme Court
• EWCA Civ: England and Wales Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
• EWCA Crim: England and Wales Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)
• EWHC:  England and Wales High Court  
• QB: Queen’s Bench Division (of the High Court)
• Ch D: Chancery Division (of the High Court)
• Fam D: Family Division (of the High Court)
• Co. Ct.: County Court
• Mag. Ct.: Magistrates’ Court
• Crim. P. Rules: Criminal Procedure Rules
• CPR: Civil Procedure Rules
• Pt.: Part (referring to sections of legislation or rules)
• Sch.: Schedule (referring to appendices of legislation)
• s.: section (referring to sections of legislation)
• para.: paragraph
• cl.: clause (in a contract or legal document)
• ibid.: ibidem (in the same place – used for citations)
• op. cit.: opere citato (in the work cited – used for citations)
• loc. cit.: loco citato (in the place cited – used for citations)
• R v: Regina/Rex v (The Crown versus – used in criminal cases)
• Re: In re (in the matter of)
• Ltd.: Limited (company designation)
• PLC: Public Limited Company (company designation)
• LLP: Limited Liability Partnership

Marketing and Advertising Abbreviations:

• B2B: Business-to-Business
• B2C: Business-to-Consumer
• CRM: Customer Relationship Management
• CMS: Content Management System
• CPC: Cost Per Click
• CPM: Cost Per Mille (thousand impressions)
• CTR: Click-Through Rate
• CRO: Conversion Rate Optimization
• KPI: Key Performance Indicator
• ROI: Return on Investment
• SEO: Search Engine Optimization
• SEM: Search Engine Marketing
• SMM: Social Media Marketing
• CTA: Call To Action
• USP: Unique Selling Proposition
• A/B Test: Comparing two versions to see which performs better
• MQL: Marketing Qualified Lead
• SQL: Sales Qualified Lead
• PPC: Pay-Per-Click
• PR: Public Relations
• OOH: Out-Of-Home advertising (billboards, etc.)
• ATL: Above-The-Line advertising (mass media)
• BTL: Below-The-Line advertising (direct marketing, promotions)
• UX: User Experience (also relevant in tech)
• UI: User Interface (also relevant in tech)

Fashion Industry Abbreviations:

• RTW: Ready-to-Wear (mass-produced clothing)
• HC: Haute Couture (high-fashion, custom-made garments)
• OOTD: Outfit Of The Day (common on social media)
• SS: Spring/Summer (fashion season)
• AW: Autumn/Winter (fashion season)
• FW: Fall/Winter (another abbreviation for Autumn/Winter)
• PF: Pre-Fall (collection shown between Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter)
• CR: Cruise (collection shown between Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer)
• Lookbook: Collection of photos showcasing a designer’s new line
• MOQ: Minimum Order Quantity
• SKU: Stock Keeping Unit (unique identifier for a product)
• ** Collab:** Collaboration (between brands or designers)
• ** Sustainable Fashion:** Fashion that is environmentally and socially responsible (often abbreviated in discussions)
• ** Fast Fashion:** Inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers.
• ** Vintage:** Previously owned clothing, often from a past era.
• ** Upcycled:** Reusing discarded materials or products to create something of higher quality or value.

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