What was the first abbreviation used as such?

Question

I know there have been abbreviations since the Ancient World, like the Roman SPQR, but when did people start saying them by reeling the letters off? Did anyone say "H.R.E." for Holy Roman Empire for example?
The earliest case I know is a poem by Alexander Pope about 1740 which demands you say "F.R.S."

Answer 1

I AM not sure, except that the modern abbreviation, are causing concern, as it is making people illiterate and lazy.

Answer 2

Didn't the ancient Hebrews only refer to their God as an abbreviation of the word "Yahweh" because it was blasphemous to say the whole word out loud ?

This would take it back a few thousand years or so.

Answer 3

Even as shorthand writing came into a being, abbreviations also were also used as for manuscript as mss and hence they date back to Pitman days.
VR

Answer 4

The early caveman was said to have shouted "okah".Which meant "woman get over here and make me my din-din or I will knock 3 bells out of you with my club".I have tried saying F.R.S. So far,I have had 2 slaps on the face and one vodka thrown in my face by women.F-cking Right Sore.??

Answer 5

I don't know if it's the first but you can find abbreviations in Euclid's Elements, written circa 300BC