General
wnl
What does wnl mean?
Straight use means a result is within normal limits; the cynical reading is 'We Never Looked,' implying the exam was skipped.
"Every system charted WNL — suspiciously so."
Origin
Subversion of the legitimate charting abbreviation WNL.
Frequently asked questions
What does WNL stand for?
Officially 'Within Normal Limits,' meaning a finding or result is normal. The cynical joke reading is 'We Never Looked,' implying the exam was skipped.
Is WNL a real charting term?
Yes — WNL is a legitimate documentation abbreviation. The 'We Never Looked' meaning is an insider joke that subverts it.
Why is the joke made?
Because charting every system as WNL can look suspiciously thorough, hinting the exam was documented but not actually performed.
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