A colleague called to ask about an abbreviation he saw on a survey map. He wanted to know what ??S. M.? could possibly mean. Did it mean ??Stone Monument?? Did it mean ??Survey Marker?? Did it mean ??Stone Marker??? or something else?
I told him that I am not in favor of non-standard abbreviations for the simple reason that vaguely described means vaguely understood. Perhaps it does mean ??Stone Monument?, but how can we be sure? In any case, a full description of a non-standard abbreviation would make its meaning clear.
If we are expected to ??follow in the footsteps? wouldn??t it be better to have more descriptive evidence?
If it is a ??Stone Monument?, does it have a drilled hole? Does it stand above the ground or is it flush with the ground. What type of stone and what shape or size? Was it found or set by the surveyor?
All of these questions when answered would be evidence of whether the mark was original and part of the survey. There is no better description than one that offers a clear conclusion.
I told him it most likely means ??Something Mysterious? but it could mean ??Stone Monument?.
"Set Marker"
Locally, I had an advantage with the abbreviations and their true meanings that I've encountered as they were usually spelled out in the metes and bounds description.
Their true meaning sometimes depended upon the surveyor more directly as most every surveyor had their own personal type of monument they did actually set and those that they left in place for other reasons. Like when they would set a 60d nail for boundary corners of properties they were not being paid to survey.
0.02
I think it matters little how you, as a surveyor, will interpret the non-standard abbreviations.
You should consider your audience when making notes on maps or writing in general.
Besides that the use?ÿ of non-standard abbreviations should be discouraged because they are not grammatically correct.?ÿ
Even native speakers may not be aware of the non-standard abbreviations and their meaning may be ambiguous.?ÿ
Is int the purpose of a legend to include abbreviations.?ÿ Go ahead and use all the abbreviations you want, just make sure you have them in the legend.?ÿ ?ÿ
And that's the ticket. Tell the FULL story.
Or, leave it to the patron saint of some surveyors: "Our Lady of Assumptions".
I assume you know what I mean...
🙂
N
Yes, a legend would be appropriate.?ÿ
