- Source: List of Singapore abbreviations
This list of Singapore abbreviations sets out abbreviations that are commonly used in Singapore.
Overview
Abbreviations are of three basic kinds:
Clippings, in which a shortened form of a word occurs. Common clippings in Singapore are: air-con (from "air-conditioner"), condo (from "condominium"), sabo (from "sabotage"), and cert (from "certificate").
Acronyms, in which the initial letters are formed into a single word, such as scuba, which is derived from "self-contained underwater breathing apparatus". Creation of acronyms such as this is rare in Singaporean English, though TIBS (, "Trans-Island Bus Service") and CISCO (, "Commercial and Industrial Security Corporation") are found.
Initialisms, in which the individual letters are spelled out. This is by far the most common category in Singapore, including PAP ("People's Action Party") and PIE ("Pan-Island Expressway"), which are pronounced and respectively and never */ˈpæp/ and */ˈpaɪ/. Some analysts regard initialisms such as these as one kind of acronym, but others prefer to distinguish between the two categories.
Initialisms are extremely common in Singapore, and many have become better known and more widely used than the full form of the words they represent. One example is the Kandang Kerbau Women's and Children's Hospital, which is more commonly referred to as KKH.
The most important category of Singapore initialisms are those for government departments and public institutions. Among the earliest examples are PUB ("Public Utilities Board") and HDB ("Housing Development Board"). Abbreviations such as these were especially important in the past when most Singaporeans were not educated in English, and their use facilitated communication in the public services where the main administrative language is English. Government departments have therefore promoted the use of these initialisms, so they occur even in non-English publications. Although the younger generation of Singaporeans are now all educated in English, abbreviations remain a major characteristic of Singapore English.
There are efforts to maintain some consistency among the initialisms. Three letters are used for government institutions (PUB, HDB, CPF, MOH, CWO) and for expressways (AYE, PIE, KJE), while two letters are used for polytechnics (SP, RP). To maintain this consistency, some abbreviations are not direct initials; for example CTE is used for "Central Expressway" instead of *CE, and NP is used for "Ngee Ann Polytechnic" instead of *NAP. When the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) was established in 1991, the name was chosen instead of the alternative "Nanyang University of Technology" because the latter would have resulted in the unsuitable NUT. While Anderson Secondary School has shortened its name to ANDSS instead of ASS.
Recently, there have emerged a number of unconventional abbreviations, such as A*STAR for Agency for Science, Technology and Research.) When SAFTI (Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute) was reorganised in 1995, it acquired the name SAFTI Military Institute, further abbreviated as SAFTI MI, which when fully expanded would form a rather awkward title Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute Military Institute.
Abbreviations
= 0–9
=4D - 4-Digits, a Singapore lottery
5 C's - 5 C's of Singapore: Cash, Car, Credit card, Condominium, Country club
6 C's - 6 C's of Singapore: Career, Cash, Car, Credit card, Condominium, Country club
= A
=A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research
AA - Asian Aerospace
ACS (J) - Anglo-Chinese Junior School
ACM - Asian Civilisations Museum
ACPS - Anglo-Chinese Primary School
ACRA - Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority
ACRES - Animal Concerns Research and Education Society
ACS - Anglo-Chinese School
ACS(I) - Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
ACSBR - Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road)
ACJC - Anglo-Chinese Junior College
A & G - Allen & Gledhill, a law firm
AG - Attorney-General
AGC - Attorney-General's Chambers
AHS - Anglican High School
AISS - Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School, Australian International School Singapore
AJ - (Pig Latin slang) Gay (typically male)
AJC - Anderson Junior College (now merged with Serangoon Junior College to form Anderson Serangoon Junior College)
ALL - Animal Lovers League
AMK - Ang Mo Kio
AMP - Association of Muslim Professionals
ANDSS - Anderson Secondary School
APP - Assistant Public Prosecutor (see also "DPP" and "PP")
APPLES - Application for Passport On-line Electronic System
AR - Assistant Registrar of the Supreme Court of Singapore
ASRJC - Anderson Serangoon Junior College
AWARE - Association of Women for Action and Research
AWWA - Asian Women Welfare Association
AY - Academic Year
AYE - Ayer Rajah Expressway
= B
=BB - Boys' Brigade
BBSS - Bukit Batok Secondary School
BC - Birth Certificate
BCA - Building and Construction Authority
BCM - Bus Contracting Model
BBDC - Bukit Batok Driving Centre
BBFA - ( internet slang) Bui Bui Forever Alone
BBT - Bukit Batok / Bubble Tea
BDK - Bedok
BDS - Bedok South Secondary School
BF - Buddhist Fellowship (Singapore)
BGR - (slang) boy-girl relationship
BJ - Bugis Junction
BKE - Bukit Timah Expressway
BMT - Basic Military Training
BPGHS - Bukit Panjang Government High School
BPLRT - Bukit Panjang LRT Line
BPP - Bukit Panjang Plaza
BPT - Basic Police Training
BPJ - Bukit Panjang
BRT - Basic Rescue Training
BSEP - Bus Service Enhancement Programme
BTO - Build To Order (HDB)
BTS - Baptist Theological Seminary
BTT - Basic Theory Test
BTVSS - Bukit View Secondary School
BTYSS - Beatty Secondary School
BVSS - Buona Vista Secondary School
BWSS - Bowen Secondary School
= C
=CAAS - Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
CBD - Central Business District
CBP - Changi Business Park
CBPU - Central Building Plan Unit
CCA - Co-curricular activity
CCC - Chinese Chamber of Commerce; Citizen's Consultative Committee
CCHS - Chung Cheng High School
CCK - Choa Chu Kang
CCL or CC - Circle MRT line
CCR - Core Central Region
CDAC - Chinese Development Assistance Council
CDC - Community Development Council
CEPAS - Contactless e-Purse Application System
CHC - City Harvest Church
CHIJ - Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus
CHS - Catholic High School, Singapore
CNB - Central Narcotics Bureau
CID - Criminal Investigation Department
CIP - Community Involvement Project (now replaced by "VIA")
CIQ - Custom & Immigration Quarantine
CIS - Corporate Individual Scheme
CJ - Chief Justice
CJC - Catholic Junior College
CMC - Chinese Media & Communication
CMPB - Central Manpower Base
CNA - Channel NewsAsia
COE - Certificate of Entitlement
COTMA - COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020
CPF - Central Provident Fund
CPIB - Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau
CRL - Cross Island MRT line
CS - Century Square
CSC - Community Sports Club
CSM - City Square Mall
CTE - Central Expressway
CTSS - Clementi Town Secondary School
CWO - Corrective Work Order
CWP - Causeway Point
CWS - Cat Welfare Society
= D
=D & D - Dinner & Dance, a function usually organised annually by companies
D & N - Drew & Napier LLC, a law firm
DART - Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team
DBS - Development Bank of Singapore (now known as DBS Bank)
DBSS - Design, Build and Sell Scheme
DHS - Dunman High School
DJ - District Judge
DMN - Dunman Secondary School
DPP - Deputy Public Prosecutor (see also "APP" and "PP") or Direct Entry Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (via ITE)
DR - Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court or the Subordinate Courts of Singapore
DSO - Defence Science Organisation
DSTA - Defence Science and Technology Agency
DTE - Downtown East
DTL or DT - Downtown MRT line
= E
=EC - Executive Condominium
ECP - East Coast Park / East Coast Parkway
EDB - Economic Development Board
EDP - Endeavour Primary School
eGAP - eGovernment Action Plan
EJC - Eunoia Junior College
EP - Employment Pass or Exit Permit
ERP - Electronic Road Pricing
EWL or EW - East–West MRT line
EFSS - Edgefield Secondary School
ESPS - East Spring Primary School
= F
=FAS - Financial Assistance Scheme
FAS - Football Association of Singapore
FCBC - Faith Community Baptist Church
FG - Filmgarde Cineplexes
FHSS - Fuhua Secondary School
FMSS - Fairfield Methodist Secondary School
FMPS or FFP - Fairfield Methodist Primary School
FTT - Final Theory Test
FT - Foreign Talent
= G
=GAD - Go and Die
GAS - Go-Ahead Singapore
GB - Girls' Brigade
GBTB - Gardens by the Bay
GCE - General Certificate of Education
GCM - Government Contracting Model (now replaced by Bus Contracting Model)
GCT - Goh Chok Tong
GE - General Election, Great Eastern
GEP - Gifted Education Programme
GIS - Global Indian School
GP - General Practitioner, General Paper, Gladiolus Place
GRC - Group representation constituency
GSS - Great Singapore Sale
GST - Goods and Services Tax
GV - Golden Village
GWA - GEMS World Academy
GWC - Great World City
GYSS - Guangyang Secondary School
= H
=HCI - Hwa Chong Institution
HCJC - Hwa Chong Junior College (now merged with The Chinese High School to form Hwa Chong Institution)
HDB - Housing Development Board
HEB - Hindu Endowments Board
HG - Hougang
HOGC - Heart of God Church
HIP - Home Improvement Programme
HPB - Health Promotion Board
HPPS - Henry Park Primary School
HS - Hougang Secondary School
HSA - Health Sciences Authority
HYSS -Hua Yi Secondary School
HSCS -Hai Sing Catholic School
= I
=IC - Identity health, In charge or Identification Certificate/Card
ICBC - Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
ICA - Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
ICS - International Community School of Singapore
IDA - Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
IJC - Innova Junior College (now merged with Yishun Junior College to form Yishun Innova Junior College)
IMDA - Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore
IMH - Institute of Mental Health
IO - Investigation Officer
IP - Integrated Programme
IPPT - Individual Physical Proficiency Test
IR - Integrated Resort
IRO - Inter-Religious Organisation of Singapore
ISA - Internal Security Act
ISD - Internal Security Department
ITE - Institute of Technical Education
IUP - Interim Upgrading Programme
= J
=J - Judge (plural: JJ)
J8 - Junction 8 Shopping Centre
JA - Judge of Appeal (plural: JJA)
JB - Johor Bahru
JC - Judicial Commissioner or Junior College
JCA - Jewel Changi Airport
JBJ - Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam
JEM - Jurong East Mall
JEMP - Jurong East Modification Project
JJC - Jurong Junior College (now merged with Pioneer Junior College to form Jurong Pioneer Junior College)
JP - Jurong Point Shopping Mall
JPJC - Jurong Pioneer Junior College
JPS - Jagoh Primary School
JRL or JR - Jurong Region MRT line
JSS - Jurong Secondary School
JTC - Jurong Town Corporation (now known as JTC Corporation)
JYSS - Juying Secondary School
= K
=KCPSS - Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School
KIV - Keep In View; refers to items, documents or papers that should be kept around for later consideration
KJE - Kranji Expressway
KK - Kandang Kerbau Women's and Children's Hospital
KL - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
KMSPKS - Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery
KPE - Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway
KTPH - Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
= L
=LCK - Lim Chu Kang
LCCS - Lutheran Community Care Services
LHL - Lee Hsien Loong
LKCM - Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine
LKY - Lee Kuan Yew
LRT - Light Rapid Transit
LTA - Land Transport Authority
LUP - Lift Upgrading Programme
LYSS - Loyang Secondary School
= M
=MAH - Mount Alvernia Hospital
MAS - Monetary Authority of Singapore
MBFC - Marina Bay Financial Centre
MBLM - Marina Bay Link Mall
MBS - Marina Bay Sands
MBSC - Marina Bay Singapore Countdown
MC - Medical Certificate
MCD - Ministry of Community Development (now MCYS)
MCE - Marina Coastal Expressway
MCI - Ministry of Communications and Information
MCS - Methodist Church in Singapore
MCYS - Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (Singapore)
MDA - Media Development Authority
MDIS - Management Development Institute of Singapore
MENDAKI - Yayasan MENDAKI (formerly the Council for the Education of Muslim Children, now the Council for the Development of Singapore Muslim Community)
MGS - Methodist Girls' School
MI - Millennia Institute
MJC - Meridian Junior College (now merged with Tampines Junior College to form Tampines Meridian Junior College)
MJR - Manjusri Secondary School
MINDEF - Ministry of Defence (Singapore)
MINDS - Movement For The Intellectually Disabled Of Singapore
MOE - Ministry of Education (Singapore)
MOF - Ministry of Finance (Singapore)
MOH - Ministry of Health (Singapore)
MOHH - Ministry of Health (Holdings)
MOM - Ministry of Manpower (Singapore)
MOS - Minister of State
MP - Member of Parliament
MPS - Meet the People Session
MRT - Mass Rapid Transit
MSCP - Multi Storey Car Park
MSHS - Maris Stella High School
MSL - Marsiling Secondary School
MSS - Meridian Secondary School or Montfort Secondary School
MUIS - Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Islamic Religious Council of Singapore)
= N
=NAPS - Ngee Ann Primary School
NAFA - Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
NAPFA - National Physical Fitness Award
NAS - National Archives of Singapore
NCC - National Cadet Corps (Singapore) or New Creation Church
NCDCC - National Civil Defence Cadet Corps (Singapore)
NCMP - Non-constituency Member of Parliament
NCS - National Computer Systems
NCSS - National Council of Social Service
NDP - National Day Parade
NE - National Education
NEA - National Environment Agency
NEL or NE - North East MRT line
NETS - Network for Electronic Transfers
NHG - National Healthcare Group
NHHS - Nan Hua High School
NIE - National Institute of Education
NJC - National Junior College
NKF - National Kidney Foundation Singapore
NLB - National Library Board
NMP - Nominated Member of Parliament
NMS - National Museum of Singapore
NP - Ngee Ann Polytechnic
NPARKS - National Parks Board
NPCC - National Police Cadet Corps
NRIC - National Registration Identity Card
NRP - Neighbourhood Renewal Programme
NS - National Service in Singapore
NSE - North–South Expressway (Singapore)
NSF - Full-time National Servicemen
NSL or NS - North–South MRT line
NSTB - National Science and Technology Board
NTC - National Technical Certificate
NTFGH - Ng Teng Fong General Hospital
NTPS - New Town Primary School
NTU - Nanyang Technological University
NTUC - National Trade Union Congress
NUH - National University Hospital
NUHS - National University Health System
NUS - National University of Singapore
NUSH or NUSHS - National University of Singapore High School of Mathematics and Science
NWC - National Wages Council
NYGH - Nanyang Girls' High School
NYK - Nanyang Kindergarten
NYP - Nanyang Polytechnic
NYPS - Nanyang Primary School
NYJC - Nanyang Junior College
= O
=OB - Out of Bounds (see OB marker)
OBS - Outward Bound Singapore
OCBC - Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation
OCR - Outside of Central Region
OCS - Officer Cadet School (Singapore)
OFS - Overseas Family School
OPSS - Orchid Park Secondary School
ORD - Operationally Ready Date, refers to the date on which a National Serviceman completes his 2-year term of service.
OSS - Outram Secondary School
OUB - Overseas Union Bank
O$P$ - owe money, pay money – used in loan sharks' harassing graffiti.
= P
=PA - People's Association
PAP - People's Action Party
PCK - Phua Chu Kang, a popular TV sitcom
PDI - Private Driving Instructor
PE - Physical Education
PES - Physical Employment Status. Pre-enlistment medical categorisation used by the Singapore Armed Forces to determine fitness for combat or non-combat duties
PFP - Polytechnic Foundation Programme
PG or PGL - Punggol
PGP - Prince George's Park Residences, NUS
PHS - Presbyterian High School
PIE - Pan Island Expressway
PJC - Pioneer Junior College (now merged with Jurong Junior College to form Jurong Pioneer Junior College)
PLQ - Paya Lebar Quarter
PLS - Paya Lebar Square
PLU - People Like Us, a gay equality lobby group
POFMA - Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act 2019
POSB - Post Office Savings Bank (now known as POSBank)
PP - Public Prosecutor (see also "APP" and "DPP") or Parkway Parade
PROGRESS - Providing Opportunities through Growth, Remaking Singapore for Success
PS - Plaza Singapura
PSA - Port of Singapore Authority (now known as PSA International)
PSC - Public Service Commission
PSLE - Primary School Leaving Examination
PSP - Progress Singapore Party
PSR - Pasir Ris
PUB - Public Utilities Board
PWD - Public Works Department
PR - Permanent resident
PT - Practical Test or Physical Training
PDL - Provisional Driving Licence
PLMGPS - Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Primary)
PLMGSS - Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)
= Q
=QDL - Qualified Driving Licence
QPS - Qihua Primary School
= R
=R & T - Rajah & Tann, a law firm
RC - Residents' Committee
RCR - Rest of Central Region
RCS - Radio Corporation of Singapore
RCY - Singapore Red Cross Youth
REP - Renaissance Engineering Programme
RGPS - Raffles Girls' Primary School
RGS - Raffles Girls' School
RI - Raffles Institution
RJ or RJC - Raffles Junior College
RMPS - Radin Mas Primary School
ROM - Registry of Marriages
RP - Republic Polytechnic
RRP - Recommended retail price
RS - Rosyth School
RSAF - Republic of Singapore Air Force
RSN - Republic of Singapore Navy
RSS - Riverside Secondary School or Republic of Singapore Ship
RWS - Resorts World Sentosa
RVHS - River Valley High School, Singapore
RVRC - Ridge View Residential College, NUS
= S
=SAF - Singapore Armed Forces
SAFRA - SAFRA National Service Association
SAJC - St Andrew's Junior College
SAL - Singapore Academy of Law
SAM - Singapore Art Museum
SANA - Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association
SAP - Special Assistance Plan
SAR - Senior Assistant Registrar of the Supreme Court of Singapore
SAS - Singapore American School
SAWL - Singapore Association of Women Lawyers
SBF - Singapore Buddhist Federation
SBI - State Bank of India
SBM - Singapore Buddhist Mission
SBS or SBST - SBS Transit
SBW - Sembawang
SBYM - Singapore Buddhist Youth Mission
SC - Senior Counsel
SChO - Singapore Chemistry Olympiad
SCDF - Singapore Civil Defence Force
SCGS - Singapore Chinese Girls' School
SCS - Specialist Cadet School or Science Centre Singapore or Singapore Computer Systems
SDA - Singapore Democratic Alliance
SDJ - Senior District Judge
SDP - Singapore Democratic Party
SDU - Social Development Unit
SERS - Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme
SFC - SkillsFuture Credit
SFI - Singapore Food Industries
SG - Solicitor-General
SGH - Singapore General Hospital
SGSS - St. Gabriel's Secondary School or Serangoon Garden Secondary School
SGX - Singapore Exchange
SIA or SQ - Singapore Airlines
SICC - Singapore Island Country Club
SILE - Singapore Institute of Legal Education
SILS - Singapore Institute of Labour Studies
SIM - Singapore Institute of Management
SINDA - Singapore Indian Development Association
SIO - Senior Investigation Officer
SIT - Singapore Institute of Technology
SJAB - St. John Ambulance Brigade
SJI - St. Joseph's Institution
SJII - St. Joseph's Institution International
SJIJ - St. Joseph's Institution Junior
SK - Sengkang
SKH - Sengkang General Hospital
SLA - Singapore Land Authority
SLF - Singapore Labour Foundation
SLO - Singapore Lyric Opera
SLS - Sim Lim Square
SLSS - Si Ling Secondary School
SLT - Sim Lim Tower
SMF - Singapore Manufacturers' Federation
SMC - Single Member Constituency
SMO - Singapore Mathematics Olympiad
SMRT - SMRT Corporation
SMSS - St. Margaret's Secondary School
SMU - Singapore Management University
SNO - Special Needs Officer
SNOC - Singapore National Olympic Council
SNPC - Singapore National Paralympic Council
SOS - Samaritans of Singapore or (slang) struggling in silence
SOTA - School of the Arts, Singapore
SP - Singapore Polytechnic
SPA - School-based Practical Assessment (for students taking GCE 'O' level)
SPC - SingPost Centre
SPCA - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
SPF - Singapore Police Force
SPH - Singapore Press Holdings
SPG - (slang) sarong party girl
SPS - Saint Patrick's School
SPhO - Singapore Physics Olympiad
SRCS - Singapore Red Cross Society
SRJC - Serangoon Junior College (now merged with Anderson Junior College to form Anderson Serangoon Junior College)
SS - Social Studies
SSC - Singapore Sports Council or Singapore Swimming Club
SSDC - Singapore Safety Driving Centre
SSO - Singapore Symphony Orchestra
SST - School of Science and Technology, Singapore or Singapore Standard Time
ST - Singapore Technologies or The Straits Times or SingTel
STAR - Special Tactics and Rescue
STARIS - SMRT Active Route Map Information System
STB - Singapore Tourism Board
STV or SH - StarHub (formerly StarHub TV or Singapore Cable Vision)
SUSS - Singapore University of Social Sciences
SUTD - Singapore University of Technology and Design
SVPS - South View Primary School
SYAS - San Yu Adventist School
SYF - Singapore Youth Festival
SYFC - Singapore Youth Flying Club
SYOGOC - Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee
SYT - Sweet Young Thing
= T
=TA - Temasek Academy
TBP - Tiong Bahru Plaza
TCHS - The Chinese High School (now merged with Hwa Chong Junior College to form Hwa Chong Institution)
TCS - Television Corporation of Singapore
TEL or TE - Thomson–East Coast MRT line
TH - Temasek Hall, NUS
TIBS - Trans-Island Bus Services
TJC - Temasek Junior College
TKGS - Tanjong Katong Girls' School
TKSS - Tanjong Katong Secondary School
TM - Tampines Mall
TMJC - Tampines Meridian Junior College
TMS - Temasek Secondary School
TNS - Tao Nan School
TNP - The New Paper
TOP - Temporary Occupancy Permit
TP - Temasek Polytechnic or Traffic Police
TPY - Toa Payoh
TPG - Tanjong Pagar
TPJC - Tampines Junior College (now merged with Merdian Junior College to form Tampines Meridian Junior College)
TPS - Tampines Primary School
TPSS - Tampines Secondary School
TTC - Trinity Theological College, Singapore
TTS - Tanglin Trust School or Tower Transit Singapore
TTSH - Tan Tock Seng Hospital
TSS - Tanglin Secondary School
= U
=UEN - Unique Entity Number
UOB - United Overseas Bank
URA - Urban Redevelopment Authority
UP - Usual Price
USS - Universal Studios Singapore
UWC or UWCSEA - United World College of South East Asia
= V
=VIA - Values in Action (replaces "CIP")
VJC - Victoria Junior College
VS - Victoria School
VSS - Vegetarian Society (Singapore)
VWO - Voluntary Welfare Organisation
= W
=WDL - Woodlands, Singapore
WDP - Woodlands Primary School
WPS - Woodgrove Primary School
WGS - Woodgrove Secondary School
WongP - WongPartnership LLP, a law firm
WP - Workers' Party of Singapore or Work Permit
WS - White Sands
WSS - Whitley Secondary School or Woodlands Secondary School
WSSS - West Spring Secondary School
WWP - Waterway Point
WWSS - Westwood Secondary School
= X
=XMM - Xiǎo Mèi Mèi (小妹妹，literally 'small girl')
XHH - Xiǎo Hùn Hùn (小混混，literally 'young gangster')
XMS - Xinmin Secondary School
Y
YCKSS - Yio Chu Kang Secondary School
YHSS - Yuhua Secondary School
YJC - Yishun Junior College (now merged with Innova Junior College to form Yishun Innova Junior College)
YIJC - Yishun Innova Junior College
YLL(SM) - Yong Loo Lin (School of Medicine)
YP - Young Punk
YSS - Yishun Secondary School
YTSS - Yishun Town Secondary School
YIS - Yishun
YNC - Yale-NUS College
Z
ZHPS - Zhenghua Primary School or Zhonghua Primary School
ZHSS - Zhonghua Secondary School
ZSS - Zhenghua Secondary School
Abbreviations in the military
This is a list of abbreviations commonly used in the Singapore Armed Forces, including slang terms. They are often used in place of the expanded form of the words. Some abbreviations are similar to those used in other military. Other abbreviations may be identical to those used outside of military but with differing context.
= People
=Ranks
These ranks are arranged in descending order of seniority
= Officers =
COL - Colonel
SLTC - Senior Lieutenant Colonel
LTC - Lieutenant Colonel
MAJ - Major
CPT - Captain
LTA - Lieutenant
2LT - Second Lieutenant
OCT - Officer Cadet
= Warrant officers =
CWO - Chief Warrant Officer
SWO - Senior Warrant Officer
MWO - Master Warrant Officer
1WO - First Warrant Officer (formerly Warrant Officer Class 1, "WO1" or "WOI")
2WO - Second Warrant Officer (formerly Warrant Officer Class 2, "WO2" or "WOII")
3WO - Third Warrant Officer
= Specialists =
MSG - Master Sergeant
SSG - Staff Sergeant
1SG - First Sergeant
2SG - Second Sergeant
3SG - Third Sergeant
SGT - Sergeant (defunct – replaced by "1SG", "2SG" and "3SG")
SCT - Specialist Cadet
= Enlistees =
CFC - Corporal First Class
CPL - Corporal
LCP - Lance Corporal
PFC - Private First Class
PTE - Private
REC - Recruit
Other Ranks
= Military Domain Experts =
ME9 - Military Expert 9
ME8 - Military Expert 8
ME7 - Military Expert 7
ME6 - Military Expert 6
ME5 - Military Expert 5
ME4 - Military Expert 4
ME4(A) - Military Expert 4 (Apprentice)
ME4(T) - Military Expert 4 (Trainee)
ME3 - Military Expert 3
ME2 - Military Expert 2
ME1 - Military Expert 1
ME1(T) - Military Expert 1 (Trainee)
= SAF Volunteer Corps =
SV 4 - SAF Volunteer 4
SV 3 - SAF Volunteer 3
SV 2 - SAF Volunteer 2
SV 1 - SAF Volunteer 1
SV (T) - SAF Volunteer (Trainee)
Appointments and offices
2IC - Second-in-charge (see "IC")
ASM - Army Sergeant Major
BC - Battery Commander
BDO - Battery Duty Officer
BOS - Battalion Orderly Sergeant or Brigade Orderly Sergeant
BSM - Battery Sergeant Major or Brigade Sergeant Major
BSO - Battalion Signal Officer
BQMS - or "BQ" - Battery Quartermaster Sergeant
CAO - Chief Armour Officer
CAF - Chief of Air Force
CCO - Camp Commandant's Office
CDF - Chief of Defence Force
CDI - Chief of Digital and Intelligence Service
CDO - Company Duty Officer
CDS - Company Duty Sergeant
CMC - Chief of Medical Corps
CNV - Chief of Navy
CO - Commanding Officer
COA - Chief of Army
COS - Company Orderly Sergeant
CQMS - or "CQ" - Company Quartermaster Sergeant
CSM - Company Sergeant Major
DDO - Divisional Duty Officer
DO - Duty Officer
DOO - Duty Orderly Officer
DOS - Duty Orderly Sergeant
DS - Duty Sergeant
DSM - Division Sergeant Major
Dy S1 - Deputy Manpower Officer
Dy S2 - Deputy Intelligence Officer
Dy S3 - Deputy Training and Operation Officer
Dy S4 - Deputy Logistics Officer
FDO - Field Duty Officer
FS - Fitness Specialist
FSM - Formation Sergeant Major
IC - (person) in command or in charge (see also "2IC")
IO - Intelligence Officer or Investigating Officer
MO - Medical Officer
MTO - Military Transport Officer
NO - Nursing Officer
NCO - Non-Commissioned Officer (defunct – replaced by "Specialist")
OC - Officer Commanding (Company Commander in other militaries)
PC - Platoon Commander
PS - Platoon Sergeant
PSO - Principal Staff Officer
PTI - Physical Training Instructor
QM - Quartermaster - usually a commissioned officer or a senior warrant officer
RQMS - Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant - usually a warrant officer in the SAF
RSM - Regimental Sergeant Major
S1 - Manpower Officer
S2 - Intelligence Officer
S3 - Training and Operation Officer
S4 - Logistics Officer
SDO - School Duty Officer (use is limited to training schools)
SM - Sergeant Major
SSM - School Sergeant Major
WOSA - Warrant officers, specialists and airmen
WOSE - Warrant officers, specialists and enlistees
WOSPEC - Warrant officers and specialists
= Units and organizations
=ADF - Army Deployment Force
AFTC - Air Force Training Command
AMB - Army Maintenance Base
BB - Boys' Brigade
BMTC - Basic Military Training Centre
CAD - Combined Arms Division
CDO - Singapore Commandos
CMPB - Central Manpower Base
CSSCOM - Combat Service Support Command
CTI - Commando Training Institute
DIS - Digital and Intelligence Service
DISCOM - Division Support Command
DSMB - Direct Support Maintenance Battalion (defunct, now renamed as "AMB" or Army Maintenance Base)
DS Med Bn - Direct Support Medical Battalion
DSSB - Direct Support Supply Battalion
DSTA - Defence Science Technology Agency
EOD - Explosive Ordnance Disposal
FCC - Fitness Conditioning Centre
FDS - Field Defence Squadron
GDS - Singapore Guards
GG - Girl Guide
GB - Girls' Brigade
JID - Joint Intelligence Directorate
JOPD - Joint Operations and Planning Directorate
MES - Maintenance and Engineering Support
MP - Military Police
MMI - Military Medicine Institute
NCC - National Cadet Corps (Singapore)
NCDCC - National Civil Defence Cadet Corps
NDU - Naval Diving Unit (Singapore)
NPCC - National Police Cadet Corps
OCS - Officer Cadet School
OETI - Ordnance Engineering Training Institute (Defunct: renamed to OES - OETI Engineering School)
PCC - Psychological Care Centre
RCY - Singapore Red Cross Youth
PDF - People's Defence Force
RSAF - Republic of Singapore Air Force
RSN - Republic of Singapore Navy
SA - Singapore Artillery
SAF - Singapore Armed Forces
SAFAC - Singapore Armed Forces Ammunition Command
SAFPU - Singapore Armed Forces Provost Unit (defunct, reorganised into the Singapore Armed Forces Military Police Command)
SAFMPC - Singapore Armed Forces Military Police Command
SAFRA - Singapore Armed Forces Reservists' Association (the term "reservist" has generally been replaced by "Operationally Ready NSmen")
SAFSA - Singapore Armed Forces Sports Association
SAR - Singapore Armoured Regiment
SCC - SAF Counselling Centre
SCE - Singapore Combat Engineers
SFLS - Special Forces Leadership School
SI - Signal Institute
SIB - Singapore Infantry Brigade or Special Investigation Branch
SIR - Singapore Infantry Regiment
SISPEC - School of Infantry Specialist
SMI - School of Military Intelligence
SMM - School of Military Medicine (reorganised as SMTI in 2006)
SMTI - SAF Medical Training Institute
SOC - School of Commandos (defunct, reorganised into the Commando Training Institute)
SOCC - Special Operations Command Centre
SOF - Special Operations Force
SOTAC - Special Operations Tactics Centre
SOTC - Special Operations Training Centre
SOTSC - Special Operations Support Centre
SPT - School of Physical Training
SRC - Singapore Red Cross
= Places
=265 - formerly a hill in Marsiling with an elevation of 265 feet which was used for training; it has been levelled for urban development.
ATEC - Army Training and Evaluation Center
BCTC - Basic Combat Training Center
PLC - Pasir Laba Camp
PRC - Pasir Ris Camp
SAFTI - Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute (term now defunct)
SAFTI MI - SAFTI Military Institute
= Weapons, vehicles and equipment
=A-veh - a heavy vehicle, such as an armoured vehicle
APC - Armoured Personnel Carrier
AVLB - Armoured Vehicle Launched Bridge
B-veh - non-"A-veh" vehicles, such as rovers and trucks
FAD - first aid dressing
FBO - full battle order (compare "SBO")
FFR - (with reference to a land rover) fitted for radio
FH88 - Field Howitzer 88
FH2000 - Field Howitzer 2000
GPMG - General Purpose Machine Gun – refers in particular to the FN MAG used in the Singapore Armed Forces
HMG - Heavy machine gun
IBA - Integrated body armour
IFV - Infantry Fighting Vehicle
LAW - Light Anti-tank Weapon
LBV - Load Bearing Vest
LST - Landing Ship Tank
MOP - Medic Operational Pouch (previously Medical Orderly Pouch)
RAI - Returnable Ammunition Item, usually referring to expanded cartridges for live or blank round that are required to be returned after training exercises.
RCK - rifle cleaning kit
SAR - refers to SAR 21
SAW - Section Assault Weapon (usually refers to the Ultimax 100)
SBO - Standard (formerly Skeletal) Battle Order (compare "FBO")
SSPH 1 or SSPH - Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer 1 Primus
TL - Troop lift - When recruits use a tonner to get to the ferry terminal from BMTC school 4, which is further inland
= Slang
=FO - fall out; fuck off
LOBO - left out of battle order (refers to a soldier who has not been assigned a fixed vocation)
LLST - lan lan suck thumb, meaning to embrace the fact and continue
NATO - no action, talk only
Pikachu - from the hokkien expression "bai kah bai chew", meaning crippled
SBC - simply boh chup – indifferent, not caring (from the abbreviation of the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation)
WALI - walk around, look important
ROC - relax one corner
OTOT - own time own target
RSAF - rarely seen after five. Also the acronym for the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
SOC - siam one corner, that is, to hide somewhere in order to avoid meeting one's superiors, doing work, etc. (from the abbreviation of "Standard Obstacle Course")
= Others
=11B - SAF 11B, the military identity card, referring to the eleven pieces of basic information written.
1206 - SAF 1206, a form signed to acknowledge deductions made to a soldier's payroll for damaging or losing equipment, etc. (pronounced "twelve-O-six")
1211 - SAF 1211, an issue and receipt voucher for proof of receiving and issuing of goods.
302 - SAF 302, a form signed to declare own homosexual orientation (pronounced "three-O-two")
15A - SAF 15A, a temporary document used alongside a photo ID card and police report, in place of a lost or stolen 11B
ACCT - Advanced Close Combat Training
AI - Armoured Infantry troopers
AOC - Advanced Obstacle Course
ATP - Advanced Trainfire Package
Attend B - medical status that allows soldier to perform only light duties
Attend C - medical status that exempts soldier from all duties
AWOL - Absent Without Official Leave
BAC - Battle Assault Course
BCCT - Basic Close Combat Training
BER - beyond economic repair
BIBO - book-in/book-out (book)
BIC - Battle Inoculation Course
BMT - Basic Military Training
BRO - Battalion Routine Order
BTP - Basic Trainfire Package
BUA - Built-up area (see also "FIBUA")
C3 - command, control and communication (pronounced "C-three" or "C-cube")
CBRE - Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosive Defence Group
CIS - Chartered Industries of Singapore
CMTL - Centralised Motor Transport Line
COC - Change of Command Parade
CP - Command Post
CRO - Company Routine Orders
CS - Combat Shoot
CST - Combat Survival Training
DB - detention barracks
DIV - division
DOD - date of disruption
EVAC - evacuation
FATEP - Field Artillery Training Evaluation Phase
FFE - fire for effect
FFF - Fit For Firing certification
FFI - Fitness For Instructions
FIBUA - fighting in built-up area (see also "BUA")
FO - Forward Observer, soldier who corrects artillery fire
FOFO - fighting on Fortified objectives
FPF - final protective fire
G50 - G50, a form submitted for security clearance in military or government sectors
GLS - Ground Logistics Support
HCC - High Confidence Course
HOTO - Hand over take over
IA - Immediate Action, a pre-trained drill for responding to a certain situation
ICCT - Intermediate Close Combat Training
ICT - In Camp Training (also simply known as in-camp)
IFC - Individual Field Craft
IMT - Individual Marksmanship Trainer
IPPT - Individual Physical Proficiency Test
IPT - Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) Preparatory Training Programme
L/F - live firing
LD - medical status that allows soldiers to perform only light duties
LOA - letter of authority/authorisation
OOC - Out of Course
OOT - Out of Training
ORD - Operationally Ready Date (formerly "ROD")
QI - Quarterly Inspection certification
RMJ - medical status that excuses soldiers from running, marching and jumping
RO - Routine Orders
ROD - Run Out Date (now "ORD")
PES - Physical Employment Status
SOC - Standard Obstacle Course
SOL - stoppage of leave
TH - Technical Handling
UFF - unfit for firing
VOC - Vocation Obstacle Course
WH - White Horse marking in medical docket indicative of special treatment required
Abbreviations in transport
As in most other major cities, abbreviations are commonly used in transport-related matters. The most prominent are the three-letter abbreviations of the expressways in Singapore; all, except one, end with the letter "E":
AYE - Ayer Rajah Expressway
BKE - Bukit Timah Expressway
CTE - Central Expressway
ECP - East Coast Parkway
KJE - Kranji Expressway
KPE - Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway
MCE - Marina Coastal Expressway
NSE - North-South Expressway
PIE - Pan Island Expressway
SLE - Seletar Expressway
TPE - Tampines Expressway
With the introduction of the Expressway Monitoring and Advisory System (EMAS) in 1998, LED signboards were installed along the expressways to display warning and other informational messages to road users. This led to the increased use of abbreviations, some of which are less common and not easily understood. The following are examples of abbreviations used in the EMAS:
NTH RD - North Road
STH RD - South Road
(CCK) DR - (Choa Chu Kang) Drive
TOWN HALL - Jurong Town Hall Road
(TP) AVE 10 - (Tampines) Avenue 10
LT - left
RT - right
AFT - after
BEF - before
LN - lane
SH - shoulder
See also
Singlish
Notes
References
Brown, Adam (2000). Singapore English in a Nutshell: An Alphabetical Description of its Features. Singapore: Federal Publications. ISBN 981-01-2435-X.
Deterding, David (2007). Singapore English. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 978-0-7486-2545-1.
Low, Ee Ling; Adam Brown (2005). English in Singapore: An Introduction. Singapore: McGraw-Hill Education (Asia). ISBN 0-07-123975-8.
External links
The Coxford Singlish Dictionary @ Talkingcock.com
A Dictionary of Singlish and Singapore English
Singapore Acronyms and Abbreviations
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- Sylvia Earle
- List of Singapore abbreviations
- List of time zone abbreviations
- List of Singapore MRT stations
- Prime Minister of Singapore
- Expressways of Singapore
- Singlish
- Singapore Airlines
- List of schools in Singapore
- List of Singapore LRT stations
- Glossary of military abbreviations
