rules for two word phrases

As Jean mentioned, I use the abab rule for 2 word phrases.

But I also shorten abab to aa for very common 2 word phrases (as does Mary, I believe).

the patient = thpa = tp

orthopaedic evaluation = orev = oe

very much = vemu = vm

on examination = onex = ox

When there are duplicate abab entries, I use an additional letter for quick selection of the line: abab, ababb, ababc, ababd.

tp the patient

tpa (see below)

tpb the patient's

tbc this patient

tpd patient's

(I usually reserve the form "tpa" for an entry the ABCZ user may want to insert. That is, I leave an open line near the top of the list for user customization.)

Selection can also be done with IT's number line selector. Sometimes using the control and shift keys is quicker since control takes you to the bottom of the displayed entries.

So using an ABCZ glossary, you have 3 methods to select a phrase (extra letter, number, control/shift keys).

I believe keeping the rules to aa and abab helps keep it simple and easier to remember. It reduces the confusion you might have if you used 2, or 3 and 4 letter rules for two word phrases. Keeping it mainly to 2 and 4 (with a disambiguator as needed) seems to me less confusing and easy on the brain.

Jon

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