DCHP-3

emerg

DCHP-2 (Oct 2016)

Spelling variants:
Emerg

n. — informal, slang

the emergency ward of a hospital; clipping of "emergency".

Type: 1. Origin — The term emerg refers to the the emergency ward or area of a hospital (see the 1982 quotation). While the form is more frequent in the US (see Chart 1), there it refers to different emergency-related services, such as response units.
See also COD-2, s.v. "emerg" which is marked "Cdn slang".
Often in emerg department and other combinations, see Chart 2 and, e.g, the 1993 quotation.

Quotations

1982
Normally, we have one doctor on emerg (emergency ward) during the week.
1987
Meanwhile, a psychiatric patient in "Emerg" starts screaming, then many of the other patients begin screaming as well.
1993
However, the hospital foundation, that sets priorities for capital projects that have little hope of financial assistance from the province, may have to "reshuffle those priorities," Antonello said. "In the case of a ($350,000) shortfall, we have tentative plans to go to the public through a mail campaign, to seek donations for the emerg department."
1994
I work in St. Paul's Emergency? Not lucky. When the Emerg attendant asks where I work I respond with "Same as you." A quick wink in the direction of the MD and he explains "Bad mentition." [sic] He had to ask. "Weren't wearing a helmet, were we Meester. Confuuused?" [sic]
2001
As for Dr. Young, he says he will stay in Saint John - "for now," at least. "We have a really good group in emerg," he said. "That's the only reason I'm still here."
2001
The resident who diagnosed appendicitis informed us that the pediatric surgeon just began a case and Malcolm's surgery would be scheduled later in the day. A change of venue came next as he was transferred from ground level "emerg" to third floor "peds."
2010
Back when my kids were young, and I was hauling them off to emerg so often I was on a first-name basis with the nurses, each visit cost $10. It was not an onerous cost, though $10 bought a lot more than [sic] than it does today.
2014
I'm still me. Nothing has changed and everything is different. I now expect debris. My eyes are wide open. I take Ativan to get them shut. The house is messier. I can't stay on top of papers or laundry. When I have chemo or a night in emerg with a 39.6° fever, the kids go to their dad's house.

References

  • COD-2

Images

Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 1 Aug. 2012

Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 1 Aug. 2012

Chart 2: Internet Domain Search, 10 Apr. 2014

Chart 2: Internet Domain Search, 10 Apr. 2014