What are the K's that students mention? Forum

[mpj_3050]

Just trying to understand the lexicon, so what are K's?

[dakatz]

K's = Contracts. They don't use C because C stands for Constitution

[TigerBeer]

a K is shorthand for a contract

defendant breached the K

i find it too embarrassing to say that out loud

[TigerBeer]

K's = Contracts. They don't use C because C stands for Constitution

i thought it was superstition over grades

[dakatz]

K's = Contracts. They don't use C because C stands for Constitution

i thought it was superstition over grades

C also has multiple sounds, whereas K is one hard sound

[mpj_3050]

Cool, thanks for the info. Thought it was a particular supplement or something research wise.

[Heartford]

My understanding was that it comes from the law school tradition of using the Greek alphabet as shorthand. Pi=plaintiff, delta=defendant, kappa=contract (because there is no suitable Greek "C"). But all of the reasons already listed are probably also correct.

[dakatz]

Lol, OP, guess there seems to be some disagreement as to why the abbreviations are what they are. However K undoubtedly stands for contract. But its just shorthand to avoid writing the word "contract" out over and over. Its not the kind of thing you say out loud, sorta like "lol" (though I know one kid who says "lol" all the time and it pisses me off)

[missinglink]

Lol, OP, guess there seems to be some disagreement as to why the abbreviations are what they are. However K undoubtedly stands for contract. But its just shorthand to avoid writing the word "contract" out over and over. Its not the kind of thing you say out loud, sorta like "lol" (though I know one kid who says "lol" all the time and it pisses me off)

It's also acceptable shorthand on an exam answer. Likewise, using P and D instead of rewriting plaintiff and defendant.

[Renzo]

Lol, OP, guess there seems to be some disagreement as to why the abbreviations are what they are. However K undoubtedly stands for contract. But its just shorthand to avoid writing the word "contract" out over and over. Its not the kind of thing you say out loud, sorta like "lol" (though I know one kid who says "lol" all the time and it pisses me off)

I'm with you on this one; I don't think it would exist if not for 1Ls needing an abbreviation. Think about all the 1L doctrinal classes: Con Law, Crim, Torts (already short), Civ pro, and K's. There's property too, but studying "P" sounds bad, and "pro" sounds too much like procedure.