MSG
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | Monosodium glutamate |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Science & Engineering, Military, Texting & Internet Slang |
MSG has three meanings. The most common are Monosodium glutamate (chemistry) and Master Sergeant (US Army rank); it can also stand for Message.
Meanings of MSG at a glance
| # | MSG stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monosodium glutamate | Science & Engineering › Chemistry |
| 2 | Master Sergeant | Military › US Army Rank |
| 3 | Message | Texting & Internet Slang › Texting and Chat |
1. Monosodium glutamate
Science & Engineering · Chemistry Abbreviations · also used in measurement
Flavor enhancer that delivers umami, the savory taste of broths, aged cheese and ripe tomatoes. MSG is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, an amino acid naturally abundant in foods such as parmesan and soy sauce, and is sold under brands such as Ajinomoto and Accent.
Example: Season the broth with a pinch of MSG instead of adding more salt.
Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda isolated glutamate from kombu seaweed broth in 1908 and coined the word umami. The "Chinese restaurant syndrome" described in 1968 has not been confirmed in controlled studies, and the FDA classifies MSG as generally recognized as safe. By weight, MSG contains about one third as much sodium as table salt.
2. Master Sergeant
Military · US Army Rank Abbreviations
Army enlisted rank at pay grade E-8 with three chevrons over three rockers. A MSG usually serves as the senior NCO of a staff section at battalion or higher, or as a senior technical expert; E-8s who lead companies hold the separate title of first sergeant.
Example: MSG Patel reviewed the brigade's maintenance status report before the commander's update.
A master sergeant and a first sergeant share pay grade and seniority but differ in duty, and the diamond in the 1SG insignia marks the company leadership role. The Air Force and Space Force write MSgt for E-7, and the Marine Corps writes MSgt for E-8. Outside the military, MSG more often means message or monosodium glutamate.
3. Message
Texting & Internet Slang · Texting and Chat Abbreviations · also used in religion
Shortens "message," as noun or verb: "got your msg," "msg me later." Common in texts, gaming chat and app notifications where space is tight.
Example: Msg me when you get home so I know you're safe.
Also written "mssg." In food and nutrition, MSG means monosodium glutamate, a flavor enhancer, and in sports Madison Square Garden; the verb use ("msg me") makes the texting sense clear. Neutral and widely understood.
Related abbreviations
More chemistry abbreviations
- MeOH – Methanol
- MOF – Metal-organic framework
- MS – Mass spectrometry
- MSDS – Material safety data sheet
- MTBE – Methyl tert-butyl ether
- MW – Molecular weight
- N2O – Nitrous oxide
- NaCl – Sodium chloride
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