Re "The ABCs of '03," editorial, Oct. 16: It appears that every day a new word, phrase or name is shortened in the name of speed or in an attempt to be cool or cute. Instead of vegetables, guacamole, condominiums, medications, carbohydrates and abdominal muscles we now have veggies, guac, condos, meds, carbs and abs. I have really tried, unsuccessfully, to get used to the word "veggies," a word used only by women for many years when speaking to their children and their female friends; but I suppose I'll just have to get over it since even the men have begun using the term.
