Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 February 1892 — New Abbreviation. [ARTICLE]

New Abbreviation.

A lady tells a story of a young man who had come from the country to the city in which she lived, and in a short time fancied himself equal to any social emergency. He never asked advice upon questions of etiquette, and therefore made many mistakes. At one time the lady issued cards to a dancing party, and among the invited guests she included this rather conceited and exceedingly awkward young man. He had to be out of town at the date of the party, and so was unable to accept the invitation. At the foot of the card he read the letters, R.S.V.P., and was much perplexed as to their meaning. However, he was nothing daunted by his ignorance, and wrote a note declining the invitation in as formal and stilted terms as he could command, and after signing his name added the letters, M.S.G.C. On his return after the party, he went to call on the lady, and in the course of the conversation asked: “By the way, Mrs. G., what did you mean by R.S.V.P. at the end of the invitation you sent me?” Without a note of surprise in her polite voice the hostess replied: “Why, they stand for the French phrase, ‘Repondez, s’il vous plait’—‘Answer, if you please.’” Then said the young man with a tone of satisfaction: “So I was all right. I thought I should hit it in my answer. ” “Oh, way, now that you speak of it, I do wish to ask you what M.S.C.C. stand for. I can not*, irhagine, nor can I And any one who has ever seen the abbreviation used,” said the courteous hostess. “That meant ‘Mighty sorry couldn’t come.’ I should think that was plain enough,” said the visitor, airily.