Acronymfinder.com lists more than 343,000 definitions of acronyms, abbreviations and initialisms. Everything from ASAP (as soon as possible or Aerospace Safety Automation Program) to ZIP (zone improvement plan, PKzip file name extension or Zero Interest Plan). There are abbreviations for just about everything.

In Milwaukee, we have our fair share of abbreviations, shortcuts and acronyms, too. You'll hear them referenced in conversations or mentioned in stories. Too often, these short phrases aren't accompanied with their full names, leaving you hanging.

Luckily, our team at OMC (that's OnMilwaukee.com) took the time to assemble a list of some of these local pronounceable shortcut words. So, if you don't know what a BID is or why the DOT made you late this morning you might just learn something. Add to the list by using the talkback feature.

• BID ... Business Improvement District
• CSA ... Clean Sweep Ambassador
• DCD ... Department of City Development
• DOT ... Department of Transportation
• FIB ... Friendly Illinois Brethren (or something like that)
• HPGM ... Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee
• HTHA ... Historic Third Ward Association
• MU ... Marquette University
• MAM ... Milwaukee Art Museum
• MPD ... Milwaukee Police Department
• MPL ... Milwaukee Public Library
• MPM ... Milwaukee Public Museum
• MSO ... Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
• MARN ... Milwaukee Artists Resource Network
• MATC ... Milwaukee Area Technical College
• MIAD ... Milwaukee Institute for Art and Design
• MMAC ... Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
• MSOE ... Milwaukee School of Engineering
• MULYP ... Milwaukee Urban League Young Professionals
• PSA ... Public Service Ambassador
• SITC ... Six in the City
• TIF ... Tax Incremental Financing
• TIK ... Traveling Informational Kiosk
• UWM ... University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• UPAF ... United Performing Arts Fund
• YPM ... Young Professionals of Milwaukee