No, this use of abbreviations isn't normal practice in English literature but
there was a period in his creative output when Wodehouse adopted this mannerism
in the narration of Bertie Wooster. If the phrase or collocation was felt to be
well-enough known („could hardly believe my
ears“) or recognisable enough in the context
(painful subject), he would just use the
abbreviation, even though they are not „standard“ abbreviations. If the
abbreviation was not felt to be immediately guessable, he would spell out the
phrase on the first mention, so „hot-water bottle“ becomes „h-w-b“ a
couple of sentences later.
Note: brake/break – they're pronounced exactly the same, but it's „break the news“. „Brake
(brzdit) the news“ doesn't make sense.
Here are a couple more examples:
- These clashings of will with the opposite sex always end with Bertram
Wooster bowing to the inevitable. (page 29 here)
- The coast seemed clear. I mentioned this to
Bobbie, and she agreed that it was as clear as a
whistle. (page 34)