"RIP" always seemed like a crude abbreviation, created by someone ignorant of the language it was supposed to exist in. It is too short, too crass, too harsh, like the sound of a cord snapping, too similar to the verb composed of the same letters but smaller, describing the action hardly compatable with the concept of peace. Too similar to the verb "reap" as well for that matter, which in itself describes hardly the most comforting aspect or image of death.