logo
g Text Version
Beauty & Self
Books & Music
Career
Computers
Education
Family
Food & Wine
Health & Fitness
Hobbies & Crafts
Home & Garden
Money
News & Politics
Relationships
Religion & Spirituality
Sports
Travel & Culture
TV & Movies

dailyclick
Bored? Games!
Nutrition
Postcards
Take a Quiz
Rate My Photo

new
Photography
Gay Lesbian
Hispanic Culture
Preschool Education
American Regional Cuisine
Girl Scouts
Crafts for Kids


dailyclick
All times in EST

Full Schedule
g
g Contests & Sweepstakes Site

BellaOnline's Contests & Sweepstakes Editor

g

Sweepstake Lingo

Guest Author - Sandy Lovern

Language is such a part of our lives. Have you tried to figure out your children's texting yet? How can they text a message consisting of 40 letters that takes us three paragraphs to write? Tell me the world hasn't speeded up. And I thought the age of computers was supposed to save us time. Well the world of sweepstaking is no different, it also has its own language sweepstakers use.

Below is a list of some commonly used acronyms and jargon to help you. Many contest publications use the terms below and you will also see them used in sweepstaking forums.

ACV- Actual Cash Value
Affidavit- Slang- Affy. A written statement made on oath,
as before a notary public.
Alternate- The original winner has declined the prize so they
choose another winner.
ARV- Actual Retail Value
ASAP- As soon as possible.
Certified Mail- A delivery that must be signed for by the recipient
Contest- Usually requires providing something such as a jingle,
a picture, an essay, etc. It usually requires skill.
DH- Web Slang- Darling Husband
DOB- Date of Birth
FAQ- Slang- Frequently asked Questions
FYI- Slang- For your information
Liquor Sweeps- Entrant must be at least 21 or older (depending on
state laws)
Must be Smoker- Any contest you enter, if you win, you will have to
sign a form stating that you are a smoker, so don't
fudge on this one.
NAZ- Slang- Name and full Address including zip code
Notary- An official authorized to certify or attest documents.
OEB- Official Entry Blank
One Per Household- One entry per resident mailing address.
OT- Web Slang- Off the topic
Postcard- Must be at least 3 1/2 x 5 to legally go through the
postal system
Postmarked By- Means your entry must be stamped by the postal service
for that particular date. Do not use office post
marking machines.
Potential Winner- Usually, winning letters come with this on them. It
means that until the sponsor or judging agency
receives your signed affidavit, they cannot verify you
as a winner.
SASE- Self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Second Chance- If a contest is giving away 100 stereos, like in a
game piece contest, and some are unclaimed, they
provide a means to distribute them through 2nd Chance.
These are usually good bets to enter.
Signed Entry- Your signature, not printed. Make sure it is your own,
don't sign for others.
Sweepstakes- A company is doing a promotion, giving prizes away.
#10 Envelope- Contrary to its name, it is an envelope that is
4 1/8 x 9 1/2
3x5 Index Card- Standard size index card, preferably blank
3x5 Paper- Regular blank paper
3 1/2 x 5 Index Card- A regular 4 x 6 index card cut down

To read more from Editor and Author Sandy Lovern, please visit
Sandy Lovern; and Sweepstakes Success
Add Sweepstake+Lingo to Twitter Add Sweepstake+Lingo to Facebook Add Sweepstake+Lingo to MySpace Add Sweepstake+Lingo to Del.icio.us Digg Sweepstake+Lingo Add Sweepstake+Lingo to Yahoo My Web Add Sweepstake+Lingo to Google Bookmarks Add Sweepstake+Lingo to Stumbleupon Add Sweepstake+Lingo to Reddit




Sweepstakes Your Guide to Winning! Ebook
RSS
Related Articles
Editor's Picks Articles
Top Ten Articles
Previous Features
Site Map


For FREE email updates, subscribe to the Contests & Sweepstakes Newsletter


Past Issues


print
Printer Friendly
bookmark
Bookmark
tell friend
Tell a Friend
forum
Forum
email
Email Editor


Content copyright © 2013 by Sandy Lovern. All rights reserved.
This content was written by Sandy Lovern. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. Contact Trish Deneen for details.

g


g features
The Luck Factor by Max Gunther Reviewed

Sweepstakes from HGTV and Sister Sites

Lucky Bamboo for Good Fortune

Archives | Site Map

forum
Forum
email
Contact

Past Issues
memberscenter


vote
Earth Day Favorite
Eating Local
Enjoying Nature
Spring Cleaning
Helping Others



BellaOnline on Facebook
g


| About BellaOnline | Privacy Policy | Advertising | Become an Editor |
Website copyright © 2013 Minerva WebWorks LLC. All rights reserved.


BellaOnline Editor