[SOC] BTU

[Jan]

Actually AR (run together, however we indicate that with the characters
at hand ((_ar_)) ? means I'm done and it is coming back to you. 
BTU seems reasonable. You might even throw in the temperature in case that
is what your interlocutor is REALLY asking! BK stands for anything beginning
with B and ending with K, in context. Context is the beauty of telegraphese
(and language in general). This brings to mind the periodic discussion
about QRZ or other arcane abbreviations or codes for things that take on a
life of their own. Why NOT ask "QRZ?" to indicate you want to know if anyone
out there is (or is going to) call you or is on the frequency. Would anyone
who owns a radio NOT understand what you really meant? I pick up things I
hear without really knowing anything about them but where and when I think
they are used in a particular context. I'm usually fairly good at this, but
blow it regularly. Interesting that BTU should come up twice in two days
in such different contexts! (What IS the speed of light in furlongs per 
fortnight? Since the Americans have taken over the "British" system of weights
and measures (the British now using something else), we require education
in these matters! 73 Jan KF0Z SOC389