"i.e." vs. "e.g."

Like most people, I use the abbreviations "i.e." and "e.g." interchangably. As far as I'm concerned, "i.e." stands for "in example" and "e.g." stands for "egzample." Clearly, I didn't give much thought about the periods in the terms; I think I assumed that if "et cetera" is shorted to "etc.", then Latin isn't worth squat, and the true origin of "i.e." and "e.g." are a mystery. Apparently, that's not the case.

After extensive GOOGing (this is a case where the "I'm feeling lucky" button can be used), I learned that "e.g." is a shortened form of exempli gratia, or, "for the sake of example." "I.e." means id est, "that is." The difference is that what comes after an "e.g." must be specific, whereas what follows "i.e." is general.

Two examples:

• The the recording industry (e.g., the RIAA and MPAA) comprises heartless philistines who have no interest in art, only profit.
• Groups like the RIAA (i.e., faceless, impresonal consortiums representing the desires of faceless, impersonal corporations) are destroying the spirit that makes this country great and stifling innovation in the arts and sciences.

Have a good weekend (i.e., the brief period of liberation from the weary workaday world) (e.g., get drunk and puke on something unexpected).