If It's Worth Doing, It's Worth Abbreviating

Acronyms, initialisms and abbreviations are the stuff of government. They also make for bumpy reading, according to a recent report from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.

Every year, Mercatus researchers read annual performance reports from 24 federal agencies and issue a scorecard on the government's efforts to improve programs and services. They also endure legalisms and jargon.

Here are some gems that the Mercatus researchers wish they hadn't seen:

· DASIS-TEDS: Drug Abuse Services Information System Treatment Episode Data Set, coined by the Health and Human Services Department.

· PEPFAR: President's Emergency Plans for Aid Relief, by the State Department.

· RIRIP: Risk-Informed Regulation Implementation Plan, by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.