Popular abbreviations and what they mean

We all live in a world of TLA's (three letter acronyms) and we use them as freely and easily as we would our hands, our feet or (if American) our guns. But do you ever stop to wonder what they mean? Spoon did and these are the results of Spoon's researches.

AIDS  Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

ATM  Automated Teller Machine

BASF  Badische Anilin und Sodafabrik

BMW  Bavarian Motor Works

BMX  Bicycle Motocross

CBS  Columbia Broadcast System

DLL  Dynamic Link Library

DNA  DeoxyriboNucleic Acid

DOS  Disk Operating System

DVD  Digital Versatile Disc

FIFA  Federation International de Footbal Associations

GIF  Graphics Interchange Format

HIV  Human Immunodeficiency Virus

HSBC  Hong Kong and Shangai Banking Corporation

HTTP  HyperText Transfer Protocol

IBM  International Business Machines

JPEG  Joint Photographic Experts Group

JVC  Japan Victor Company

Laser  Light Amplification by Stimulated Emissions of Radiation

LSD  LySergic acid Diethylamide

MASER  Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

MP3  MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) (audio layer) 3

MPEG  Moving Pictures Expert Group

MRI  Magnetic Resonance Imaging

ntl:  National Transcommunications Ltd

POP  Post Office Protocol

PVC  Poly-Vinyl Chloride

QVC  Quality, Value, Convenience

SAT  Scholastic Aptitude Test

SMS  Short Message Service

TDK  Tokyo Denkikagaku Kogyo

UEFA  Union (of) European Football Associations

UNICEF  United Nations International Childrens' Emergency Fund

USB  Universal Serial Bus

VHS  Video Home System

WAP  Wireless Application Protocol