Americans' proclivity for shortcuts

We hear them all the time.  Many of us use them without even recognizing it.  We Americans like to use shortened versions of words.  Some include:

cardio = cardiovascular exercise
meds = medicine/prescriptions
temps = temperature
veggies = vegetables
the net = internet
stats = statistics
prof = professor

There are many other examples.  I used to resist using these shortcuts as my way of not "joining the crowd".  Now, though, I find it much easier to say "cardio" when describing time in the gym as opposed to "cardiovascular excerise on the elliptical".  Sometimes, it take an old dog to learn a new trick.