ANSWER: When should you use periods in abbreviations?

[lady_ganesh]

Is it just a fanfic thing to drop the periods in the abbreviations or has it become “acceptable” outside of fanfic as well? (ex. NCIS vs. N.C.I.S., SGC vs. S.G.C.)

While fanfic has been around for a long time, so have dropped periods in abbreviations. In fact, if you go to the Official NCIS website, you'll notice even the United States government

Comments

[unfeathered]

That's interesting, because when I was taught to type (c. 12 years ago) I was taught not to put full stops (sorry, I'm English *g*) in anything, really, except for clarity. So I type RSVP and NCIS and Mr and Dr etc. etc.

Some of the other typists at work (who are a bit older - in their 50s or 60s) do put full stops in all those, which makes, for example, searching the database for Dr Williams a bit difficult when he's down as Dr. Williams!

[lady_ganesh]

That's why consistency is the key! And why databases are evil.

[snailbones]

Thanks for yet another lovely clear explanation, and thanks too for the links.

I looked at the AP Style Top Ten and realised why I've been doing things a certain way for years - I've been using AP Style without knowing it. Doh! My dad was a journalist, and probably brainwashed me into doing things the AP way *g*

[lady_ganesh]

Good for your dad! And thank you for commenting.

[starwatcher307]

.
Thank you, melayneseahawk, for the link to this; I'd forgotten this post.

But it leads to another question. I was taught to capitalize all abbreviations, especially A.M. and P.M. But in the example above, you don't. Is this also an either/or situation, or have I missed a changed rule?
.