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This is a list of traditional abbreviations for U.S. states and territories These abbreviations (short names) were used in mailing addresses before the introduction of two-letter U.S. postal abbreviations. The traditional abbreviations are still commonly used in other ways besides mailing addresses. For example, they can be used in writing ...
May 7, 2021 · However, since most mail addressing equipment allowed only 23 characters, the state names needed to be shortened to make room for the ZIP Code. Although an initial list of abbreviations for the state names was provided in June 1963, some abbreviations had more than two letters which were still long.
Us StateAbbreviationAlabamaALAlaskaAKArizonaAZArkansasAR- John Misachi
Each state has its own unique shortened name codes called state abbreviations used in written documents and mailing addresses. The state abbreviations are always in the same format: two letter abbreviations where both letters are uppercase and no periods or spaces between each letter.
As early as October 1831, the United States Postal Service recognized common abbreviations for states and territories. However, they accepted these abbreviations only because of their popularity, preferring that patrons spell names out in full to avoid confusion.
Why? Because ZIP codes were adopted that year, and, owing to the limitations of addressing equipment, abbreviations had to be shortened to make room for the numbers. While the two-letter abbreviations are now preferred, the earlier versions continue to be widely used.
Usually it is first two letters or state's initials, but sometimes matching the sound of the state was more important. Louisiana and Georgia both have diphthongs (ou, eo) that don't match the sounds of the second letter, and both enough with a stressed a.
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Jan 24, 2020 · In bibliographies, lists, charts where space is at a premium, reference lists, footnotes and endnotes, and in mailing addresses, state names are usually shortened using the postal abbreviation. This applies to Chicago Manual of Style and the American psychological Association Style (APA).
