et al

September 24, 2004 8:03 AM

I often use et al when making notes to list people for meetings. What would or could or should one use as a shorthand when listing a series of places? E.g. "I am traveling to Guadeloupe et ___ (other surrounding islands) or "Tyson's Corner et ____ (other surrounding suburbs).
posted by Dick Paris to Writing & Language (8 answers total)

et env. (environs) is the French, and still works quite well in 'English', I think.
posted by punilux at 8:31 AM on September 24, 2004

,
posted by trondant at 8:36 AM on September 24, 2004

The fact that your two examples are different suggests that you shouldn't be looking for a one-abbreviation-fits-all solution.
"and environs" could work in some cases, but it wouldn't always work.
The tour will focus on Pompeii and its environs.
posted by planetkyoto at 8:42 AM on September 24, 2004

Yeah, um, what he said.
posted by planetkyoto at 8:43 AM on September 24, 2004

i've always been amused by "et ux" - "and spouse".
posted by quonsar at 9:38 AM on September 24, 2004

How about et cetera?
posted by blue mustard at 10:37 AM on September 24, 2004

"Area" and "region" are pretty short.

There's always "vicinity," which my husband as a kid saw on so many maps he thought it was a place, Vin City...
posted by GaelFC at 1:08 PM on September 24, 2004

Response by poster: I like et env. I should not feel too awkward using it, as I speak French (embarrassingly poor French, but French nonetheless).

Thanks to everyone for the input.
posted by Dick Paris at 6:37 PM on September 24, 2004